Tanzanian music superstar Ali Kiba has issued a public apology to his fans and fellow citizens for supporting President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the country’s contentious general elections.
In an emotional post shared via Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, November 6, 2025, the award-winning Bongo Flava icon wrote, “Poleni ndugu zangu Watanzania, na ninawaomba msamaha kwa kuwa kwaza,” which translates to, “My fellow Tanzanians, I apologise for offending you.”
The apology comes in the wake of nationwide protests following Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 elections, which were marred by unrest, internet blackouts, and accusations of electoral fraud.
In the weeks leading up to the polls, several top Tanzanian artistes including Ali Kiba had openly campaigned for President Samia Suluhu, praising her leadership despite growing public concern over the exclusion of opposition candidates. However, after protests erupted, many of these artistes faced intense backlash from fans, who accused them of supporting a regime responsible for the chaos and reported deaths.
As public anger mounted, a number of musicians began distancing themselves from the ruling establishment. Diamond Platnumz reportedly deleted all political content from his social media pages, while Billnass deactivated his accounts entirely as the online “cancel culture” wave swept across the entertainment industry.
President Samia’s Call for Calm
Despite widespread criticism, President Samia Suluhu was officially sworn in on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the State House in Dodoma, reaffirming her commitment to national unity and peace.
Addressing the nation shortly after her inauguration, the president urged Tanzanians to remain calm and allow security agencies to restore order. She condemned incitement and violence, emphasizing that strength lies not in confrontation but in dialogue.
“We must choose what benefits us all because the safety of our nation depends on each one of us, with all our might and at any cost,” President Samia said.
Speaking “as a leader and as a mother to the nation,” she appealed to citizens to prioritise peace and cooperation over division.
“I sincerely urge my fellow citizens to uphold peace and tranquillity. Let those inciting unrest understand that chaos only tests our strength, while dialogue builds unity and understanding,” she added.
Ali Kiba’s apology has sparked widespread discussion across Tanzanian social media, with many fans expressing mixed reactions some praising his humility, while others questioned the sincerity of his statement amid the ongoing political tension.
