President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed concern over what she described as increasing attempts to influence young people, particularly in Africa, to act against the interests of their own countries, warning that such efforts could undermine development and economic progress.
Speaking at the opening of the Tanzania Law Society (TLS) conference in Arusha on Monday, July 13, 2026, the President said some actors were encouraging youth to turn against their nations as developing countries continue to make economic gains.
"We are witnessing nations working against one another. We are also seeing young people being deceived and fed poisonous ideas against their own countries, encouraging them to sabotage economies that have been built through enormous effort," President Samia said.
She argued that as developing nations advance, some interests seek to slow their progress through various means.
"As our developing countries move forward, others are looking for ways and strategies to pull us back so that we do not progress at the pace we intend," she said.
The President did not specify who she believed was behind the alleged efforts but urged vigilance in safeguarding national unity and protecting development achievements.
Her remarks come at a time when many African governments are grappling with the influence of digital platforms, misinformation and growing geopolitical competition, issues that have increasingly shaped public discourse across the continent.
President Samia was addressing lawyers attending the annual Tanzania Law Society conference, where she also called on legal practitioners to continue upholding professionalism, integrity and the rule of law in serving the public interest.
