PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life of Tanzanians who died during the violent events of October 29, using the inauguration of the 13th Parliament yesterday to unveil a series of measures aimed at healing national wounds and steering the country towards unity after a tense election period.

Delivering the presidential address to inaugurate the new National Assembly here yesterday upon starting her second and final term of office, President Samia directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to urgently review treason and related charges filed against young people arrested during the unrest.

A considerable number of youths appeared to have joined the demonstrations out of excitement and peer pressure, without understanding the implications of their actions, she said, pointing at video clips clearly showing many young people simply following the crowd.

“As a mother and guardian of this nation, I am asking the DPP to assess the extent of wrongdoing, especially for those who had no intention to commit crime, and consider dropping their charges,” she said, similarly asking security organs to release youths who acted impulsively so they can return to their families.

Underlining that forgiveness remains a cornerstone of national values and religious teachings, she extended heartfelt condolences to families of all those who lost loved ones, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. She also appealed for patience from citizens whose properties were destroyed during the violence.

At the very start, the president stood up the legislature and invited guests to observe a one-minute silence in honour of the poll violence victims, while announcing the setting up of an independent commission of inquiry that will examine the causes, actors and failures that contributed to the loss of life and destruction of property, to ensure full clarity on the events of the October 29.

The commission’s findings will guide national dialogue and contribute to broader reconciliation efforts, she said, viewing long-term stability as tied to constitutional reforms as a critical path towards deeper national understanding.

The government will initiate the constitutional amendment process within the first 100 days of the new administration, beginning with the creation of a mediation commission to broker political consensus and strengthen democratic institutions, she stated, repeatedly urging Tanzanians to safeguard peace and resist attempts to divide the country. 

She issued a special appeal to the youth, warning them against being manipulated into acts that endanger national stability.

“This country is yours, and you are its protectors,” she said. “Do not allow yourselves to be the ones who bring it down. If we, your parents, had behaved as recklessly, we would not have the blessings we enjoy today,” she declared

President Samia also highlighted Tanzania’s progress on gender equality, noting that women now make up 45 per cent of members of Parliament, an achievement that brings the nation closer to parity in political representation.

In other remarks  the president announced a sweeping five-year reform agenda aimed at strengthening national unity and youth empowerment, highlighted by the establishment of a new, dedicated Ministry for Youth Affairs, designed to combat unemployment, capital barriers and challenges to entrepreneurship. 

It will introduce investment facilitation windows for financing, training and business support, collaborating closely with the private sector, the president affirmed, underlining that the government wants a ministry that listens to the youth, responds to their challenges and unlocks their potential. 

“Young people must be at the centre of our development," she stressed, while Arumeru East MP Joshua Nassari welcomed the move, noting that the youth constitute 60 to 70 per cent of Tanzanians, requesting that the ministry be led by young people, from the minister responsible down to its officials.

Hinting at sectoral priorities, she said that agriculture will see irrigation infrastructure expanded to boost productivity and strengthen climate resilience, as despite Tanzania being 128 percent food sufficient, there is need to promote value addition, particularly for edible oil crops.

Increasing processing capacity is expected to lower costs, reduce import dependence and create more youth employment, she said, while casting a glance at public services, set to be improved by recruiting 7,000 teachers and 5,000 health worker.

The government will designate business zones for vendors in urban areas, while enhancing specialist medical services in referral hospitals and constructing a national pandemic-outbreak hospital in Kagera, the president indicated.

Mining authorities will review all undeveloped mining licences with a view to repossess and reallocate the relevant plots to investors ready to begin immediate development, she added.