Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said on Thursday that the nation was 'shocked' after formally receiving a landmark report into post-election violence following the October 2025 general elections.

"The commission has informed us that the investigation revealed that the violence that occurred was planned, coordinated, funded, and executed by trained individuals equipped with tools to commit crimes and cause destruction," she said during an address from the State House in Dar es Salaam.

"Likewise, it revealed that the goals of those involved were to disrupt the election and create a leadership vacuum so that the country would become ungovernable. And that is why the violence started on election day," she continued.

The report, compiled by an independent commission led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, found that 518 people were killed during the unrest, which involved clashes between security forces and protesters, and identified major lapses in protocol and breakdowns in law and order across several regions.

In response, Samia expressed regret over the loss of life and announced a series of measures, including a special criminal investigation body to ensure accountability, the creation of a reconciliation commission and possible constitutional reforms to improve electoral transparency.

"The destiny of Tanzania is in the hands of Tanzanians themselves. The influence of external groups helps break the peace, disrupt security, and destroy the country. But restoring peace and security and rebuilding our country is done through aid with stringent political, economic and commercial conditions," the president added.

She urged political factions to move beyond divisions and support the implementation of the report's findings, describing it as a necessary step towards national healing and accountability.

The President accepted the recommendation to fast-track a new constitution by 2028, alongside reforms to overhaul the National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2029 local elections and the 2030 general election, and the creation of an expert committee to review the 2014 draft and gather ‘fresh views’ from the 16 million Tanzanians who did not participate in earlier processes.