President Samia Suluhu Hassan has condemned the recent unrest that led to the loss of life and destruction of property following the elections in Tanzania.
Speaking during her inauguration ceremony on Monday, November 3, Suluhu said the violent incidents do not reflect the true character of the nation.
She further revealed that some of the individuals arrested during the protests were not Tanzanian citizens.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of life and the destruction of both public and private property. What happened does not reflect the image or reputation of Tanzania, nor does it represent the true spirit of being Tanzanian.
“It is therefore not surprising that some of the youths arrested for such behaviour were found to have come from outside the country,” she said.
Samia also took the opportunity to commend her political opponents for upholding democratic values throughout the electoral process, noting that the contest was conducted peacefully and fairly across the nation.
“In this election, there were 17 candidates from various political parties across the country contesting for the presidency.
“I sincerely thank my 16 colleagues for demonstrating true democratic maturity and showing that politics is not war. We have concluded the election peacefully,” she said.
Earlier Monday, Ruto congratulated Suluhu after being elected as President of Tanzania in the recently concluded general election.
He congratulated Suluhu on her victory in the general elections held on Wednesday, October 29, which were marred by violent protests.
Ruto also mentioned that Kenya and Tanzania share deep historical bonds and common goals for regional stability.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I extend sincere congratulations to Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan on her re-election in the General Election held on 29 October 2025.
“Kenya and Tanzania share deep historical ties and common aspirations for the prosperity and stability of our peoples, anchored in our shared history and our joint membership in the East African Community (EAC),” he said.
Ruto urged Tanzanians to uphold peace and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and tolerance among political actors.
“I call upon the patriotic people of Tanzania to uphold peace and the rule of law, and I encourage all political actors and stakeholders to embrace dialogue and tolerance as they seek to resolve any issues at hand in order to safeguard democracy and stability,” he added.
