DAR ES SALAAM, March 20 -- IN January 2023, President Samia Suluhu Hassan took a decisive step towards addressing long-standing concerns within Tanzanias criminal justice system by establishing a Commission to review its performance.

Chaired by the retired chief justice Mohamed Chande Othman, the Commission was tasked with examining systemic weaknesses and proposing reforms aimed at strengthening justice delivery, human rights protection and public trust.

Six months later, in July 2023, the Commission submitted its findings—marking the beginning of what has become a broader effort to recalibrate the relationship between state institutions and the citizens they serve.

The move came against the backdrop of persistent public complai...