Samia Suluhu orders charges dropped against youths involved in election day protests
By Ascah Mwango, November 15, 2025President Samia Suluhu Hassan has instructed law enforcement and prosecution authorities to drop charges against youths who took part in protests on October 29, 2025.
She announced during her opening address to the 13th Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania on Friday, November 14, 2025.
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President Suluhu said that many of the young people involved acted out of ignorance and peer influence rather than deliberate intent to commit serious offences.
She asked the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to review and withdraw cases against those who simply followed the crowd.
She also appealed to young Tanzanians to protect the peace and unity of the country and warned them not to allow themselves to be persuaded into actions that could harm the nation.
She framed the request in the context of her role as a mother and guardian of the youth.
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“Sambamba na mambo mengine, katika hotuba yangu ya kulifungua Bunge la 13 la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, nimevielekeza vyombo vya sheria hasa Ofisi Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka (DPP), kuwafutia makosa vijana na watoto wetu ambao kwa kutokujua, walifanya makosa kwa kufuata mkumbo Oktoba 29 mwaka huu. Nikiwa Mama na Mlezi, ninawasihi vijana wote kuendelea kulinda amani na mshikamano wa nchi yetu, na hata siku moja msikubali kushawishiwa kuichoma nchi yenu wenyewe,” Suluhu stated.
Loosely translated as;
“Alongside other matters, in my speech opening the 13th Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, I have directed the law enforcement authorities, especially the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), to drop charges against our youths and children who, out of ignorance, committed mistakes by following the movement on October 29 this year. As a mother and guardian, I urge all young people to continue safeguarding the peace and unity of our country, and never allow yourselves to be persuaded to destroy your own nation.”
The unrest began on October 29, the day of Tanzania’s general election, which President Suluhu won with more than 97 per cent of the vote amid allegations of disqualifications of major opposition candidates and limited electoral competition.
In cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, young people protested what they perceived as a predetermined outcome. Security forces responded with force, including shootings, curfews, internet shutdowns, and large-scale arrests.
Opposition sources claim hundreds of people were killed, while the United Nations and other observers verified deaths in the hundreds.
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Following the unrest, dozens of youths were charged with treason for their role in the demonstrations.
In her address, President Suluhu also announced the creation of a commission to investigate the causes of the unrest, examine the killings, and support national reconciliation. The government maintains the election was fair and that security forces acted appropriately, but critics argue that the response exposed deeper human rights and governance issues.