Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said protesters were paid to “burn the country” before, during, and after elections.

Speaking on November 20, 2025, during the launch of the commission of inquiry into post-election violence, she said her government is working relentlessly to determine which rights the youths were demanding from the streets.

Suluhu said young people were forced onto the streets against their will after being given a small token.

“We are being told that those youths who went out to demand justice were first paid money before they took to the streets, and many of them went to the streets because of the money they were given.”

She said the government is determining the purpose that led the youths to protests and provide the solution as per protesters wishes.

“The youth were led into the streets to demand justice. We want to know which justice these young people have been denied, and why they collectively took to the streets to demand it.”

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Suluhu Slams Opposition Parties

Samia said some opposition parties sentiments fueled the post-election violence in Tanzania that led to public/private distruction of properties, loss of lives among others.

The government will also launch probe in opposition statements to know why the were saying those remarks.

“Let’s look at the statements from the opposition parties — those who were saying it must burn, the country is ungovernable, she must go, this must happen, and the election will not take place,” Samia Suluhu asserted.

Additionally, they will investigate the relationship between opposition parties and the electoral commission body.

Also Read:Kenya Reaffirms Strong Bilateral Ties with Tanzania After Samia Suluhu’s Swearing-In

How Tanzania Will Investigate the Matter

Tanzania will Investigate all the Non-governmental Organization (NGOs) both locally and internationally to determine who funded the protests.

“Let us look at how our local and international NGOs have contributed to these issues.”

She also expressed her concern stating that even if their was ideological differences between various stakeholders including electoral body and opposition parties, there was a better way of settling dispute rather than burning the country and loss of lives among citizens.

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A picture captured during demo’s in Tanzania following the presidential elections
Image/Swahili news/X