Tanzania’s security forces have warned against nationwide protests planned for December 9, describing them as a threat to national peace and stability. The announcement comes amid rising tensions over past election-related unrest and ongoing concerns about public order.
Government Spokesperson David Misime accused the organisers of seeking to plunge the country into chaos similar to what followed the October 29 elections. "Ni uhalifu mkubwa unaoendelea kuhamasishwa…ni tishio kubwa kwa uchumi wa nchi na masuala yote ya kijamii," Misime said.
He added that the police remain committed to their core role of safeguarding national security, noting that 25 officers were injured in clashes over a Ksh.680 billion gold project.
The police stated that they have been closely monitoring organisers online and will take firm action against anyone attempting to destabilise the country.
Despite the warnings, former MP Ezekiah Wenje from the ruling CCM urged citizens to remain calm, asserting that protests are a lawful form of expression when conducted peacefully.
"Our people’s protests are anchored in our laws but peaceful demonstrations," he said.
The alert from security agencies comes a day after President Suluhu Samia addressed the nation, accusing external actors of funding the October 29 protests. She described the unrest as an attempted coup and defended the strong response of security forces.
"If I could, I would send Tanzanian youths to different countries, even within Africa and in neighbouring states, to see what true hardship looks like, and then claim that Tanzania is a bad place," Suluhu stated.
Meanwhile, Tanzania faces growing international scrutiny, with the United States warning of possible action over alleged human rights violations during the post-election violence, raising concerns over the country’s global standing.
The United States government cited concerns over religious freedom, free speech, investment barriers, and violence surrounding the country’s recent elections.
In a statement, the U.S. emphasised that it values its longstanding partnership with Tanzania, a relationship that has historically brought prosperity and regional security.
“The United States values its longstanding partnership with the people of Tanzania, which has brought prosperity to our populations and security to the region. Recent actions by the Government of Tanzania, however, raise grave concerns about the direction of our bilateral relationship and the reliability of the Tanzanian Government as a partner,” the statement read.
“As a result, the United States is comprehensively reviewing our relationship with the Government of Tanzania. The Government of Tanzania’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, the presence of persistent obstacles to U.S. investment, and disturbing violence against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections, required this reconsideration of our ties.”
