Tanzania Deputy President Emmanuel Nchimbi / ScreengrabTanzania is set to begin a national dialogue process aimed at strengthening peace and unity across the country, Deputy President Emmanuel Nchimbi has announced.
Nchimbi said the government is committed to creating space for citizens to be heard and to take part in shaping a stable and inclusive society.
He stated that the initiative aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s agenda of fostering national cohesion through open engagement.
“The government of Tanzania will start the process of initiating dialogue to promote peace and unity for the benefit of the citizens and the country. It is the mission of President Suluhu to ensure the government begins dialogue for everyone to be heard and promote peace and unity,” Nchimbi said.
The Deputy President said the government views dialogue as essential in addressing emerging political, social, and economic challenges, and urged leaders and citizens to participate constructively once the process is launched.
The details of the dialogue framework are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
President Suluhu was declared the winner of the election with 98 per cent of the vote, but the opposition—which was barred from contesting—denounced the poll as a sham.
Suluhu said that the violent aftermath of the elections did not represent the true image or character of Tanzanians.
“It did not surprise us to learn that some of the young people arrested in connection with those riots came from outside the country,” she said.
Tanzanian court charged at least 240 people with treason following last week's deadly election protests.
Security forces clashed with those protesting against the vote, and, according to various sources, hundreds were killed.
The authorities have downplayed the scale of the violence and maintained the election was free and fair.
Many people were arrested and have now been charged with treason at a court in the economic capital of Dar es Salaam.
They were not been asked to enter a plea in court.
According to a charge sheet seen by the BBC, the defendants are accused of inciting demonstrations with the intention of obstructing the election.
The defendants could receive the death penalty if found guilty.
However, in Tanzania, the majority of those sentenced to death eventually have their sentence commuted to life in jail.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi said he held talks with Tanzanian Foreign Minister Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, focusing on protecting Kenyans living and working in Tanzania.
The African Union has declared that the election, which returned President Samia Suluhu Hassan with nearly 98 per cent of the vote, “did not meet AU principles and standards for democratic elections.”
