President Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched her re-election campaign with a sweeping message of peace, reform and social justice, pledging new measures to strengthen democracy and expand healthcare access for millions of Tanzanians.
Speaking before a packed crowd at Tanganyika Packers grounds in Kawe, Dar es Salaam, Samia celebrated what she described as four years of steady progress under her leadership. She highlighted advances in democracy, freedom of the press, and Tanzania’s growing stature in global affairs. Since taking office in 2021, her government has issued more than 1,000 new media licenses, from newspapers and magazines to digital platforms, which she said reflects a deliberate opening of civic space.
The president credited this progress to her “4R philosophy” — Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding — a doctrine she argues has helped restore trust among citizens and safeguard the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. “Peace, unity, and solidarity are the foundation of development,” she told supporters, adding that these values remain central to her political vision.
Samia also announced a landmark policy shift in the health sector: hospitals will no longer be allowed to withhold the bodies of deceased patients over unpaid bills. Instead, the government will establish a payment system to settle outstanding costs without punishing grieving families.
Also Read; Algeria To Champion African Unity At Trade Fair
In addition, she reaffirmed her commitment to universal health coverage, unveiling a pilot plan through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to provide free medical protection for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. She further promised to recruit 5,000 health professionals within the next 100 days, with a focus on midwives and nurses, while also guaranteeing free treatment for chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes.
Looking ahead, Samia pledged to introduce a digital accountability system that will allow citizens to rate the performance of ministers and regional leaders through a free SMS service. She also unveiled plans for a “national water grid” to ensure reliable access for households, farming, and businesses.
Her address was both a review of her first term and a vision for the future. She urged Tanzanians to participate in campaign rallies and engage with party policies ahead of the October election, saying, “The power of progress rests in our unity and the choices we make together.”