Samia Suluhu urges protesting Tanzanians to consider dialogue
By Steve Ireri, November 3, 2025President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appealed to Tanzanians taking part in the ongoing post-election protests to embrace dialogue with the government instead of resorting to violence and destruction, saying peace remains the nation’s most valuable asset.
Addressing the country on Monday, November 3, 2025, after days of unrest that left several towns tense, President Samia said the government was closely monitoring the situation and urged citizens to uphold unity and calm as security agencies work to restore order.
She reminded those involved in inciting violence that true strength is not measured through confrontation but through conversation and cooperation.
“We must choose what benefits us all, because the safety of our entire nation is protected by each one of us, with all our might and at any cost,” the president said during her inauguration ceremony.
The Head of State said she was speaking both as a leader and as a mother to the nation, asking Tanzanians to prioritise dialogue and peace over chaos.
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She warned those fuelling disorder that the consequences of unrest only lead to pain, loss, and division. Samia said that while violence ends in the testing of power and might, dialogue breeds understanding, reconciliation, and national unity.
“I sincerely urge my fellow citizens to uphold peace and tranquillity. I want to use this opportunity, as a mother, to issue a warning to all those who have incited violence and unrest. Let them understand that chaos and the absence of peace only end in the testing of strength and defence, but dialogue brings about unity and understanding,” she added.
Her appeal came shortly after Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who had spoken earlier during her inauguration ceremony, urged her to consider opening channels of dialogue with opposition groups and protesters as a path toward restoring peace and trust in the country.
President Hichilema encouraged Tanzania to adopt what he described as the dialogue table approach, saying that when nations face challenges, grievances, or disputes, coming together to talk remains the most effective way forward.
“When we are challenged, when we have complaints or problems, let us come to one table only the dialogue table. That is the table we must invoke to deal with our challenges of any kind,” he said.
He reminded his Tanzanian counterpart that Zambia had also faced similar political challenges but overcame them through open conversations among political players.
“Madam President, I wish to say that even our political parties in Zambia were once challenged, but we overcame those moments through dialogue and understanding,” he added.