A coalition of pan-African civic groups—including Vocal Africa, the Minority Movement of Kenya, the Social Justice Centre Group, and the Free Kenya Movement— has accused Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan of orchestrating an unconstitutional takeover and a violent crackdown on dissent as the country prepares for nationwide protests on December 9.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 8, 2025, the groups said the crisis has become a serious human rights concern, citing mass arrests, disappearances, intimidation of civil society, and restrictions on digital spaces.
The coalition said that the world is finally recognising what Tanzanians have long protested.
Regional and international bodies—including the African Union Election Observation Mission, SADC, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the European Parliament, the Government of Ghana, and the United States—have publicly criticised the credibility of the recent election and the repression that followed.
“Their clarity stands in stark contrast to the disturbing silence of the United Nations and several treaty bodies,” the statement noted, at a time when citizens have pinned their hopes on principled international leadership.
The groups allege that Suluhu’s government has “overthrown the Constitution, weaponised state institutions to crush democratic demand, and engineered family rule.”
They also condemned the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations on December 9, calling it an effort to prevent citizens from peaceful gathering.
“Despite reports of violence and intimidation, Tanzanians continue to resist through peaceful protests and courageous truth-telling,” the coalition said.
Digital restrictions are a major concern, with authorities accused of “internet shutdowns, social media throttling, takedown of testimonies, and pressure on platforms like Meta and X” to silence critics and erase records of abuses.
The statement said these measures are designed to suppress resistance, but have instead strengthened calls for justice and accountability.
The coalition issued a series of demands, including immediate cessation of all forms of violence and arbitrary arrests, the release of detainees, restoration of internet access, and disbanding of illegal security formations.
Most notably, they called for the immediate resignation and departure from office of Samia Suluhu Hassan to allow for a transitional administration and the protection of citizen voices.
They also urged an independent international investigation under the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The coalition concluded by calling for unity across regions, religions, generations, and borders urging Tanzanians to continue documenting, speaking out, and rejecting attempts to divide them along ethnic or religious lines.
Their statement comes a day to the planned December 9, 2025 protest by activists and opposition groups, notably the CHADEMA party to demand accountability for the violence and push for political reforms in Tanzania.
