Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba urged citizens to stay home on December 9, amid social media calls for protests against the violent suppression of post-election demonstrations in October.
The United Nations reported that hundreds of people may have been killed during unrest triggered by the exclusion of leading opposition candidates, while President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially won nearly 98% of votes.
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The government acknowledged casualties but rejected claims of excessive police force. Prime Minister Nchemba also announced that no official Independence Day celebrations would take place this year due to security concerns.
Authorities emphasized that any demonstrations would be illegal, citing a lack of formal notification from organisers. Police and army deployments were highly visible along major roads in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
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President Hassan appointed a commission to investigate the election-related violence. She has denied wrongdoing by security forces, instead accusing protesters of attempting to destabilize the government, maintaining tight control over public gatherings.
The United States said it is reviewing its ties with Tanzania over human rights concerns, including violence against civilians, restrictions on free speech, religious freedom issues, and barriers to foreign investment.