DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (Chatnewstv.com) — Police officers heavily patrolled mostly empty streets in major Tanzanian cities Tuesday following calls for protests over the ruling party’s disputed election victory, which the government declared illegal. The increased security came as rights groups criticized a clampdown on free speech in the East African nation.
The results of the Oct. 29 election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with more than 97% of the vote, sparked three days of violent protests that left hundreds dead, over 2,000 detained, and vehicles and buildings burned. Protesters have demanded the poll be canceled, particularly after the country’s two main opposition parties were barred and the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was imprisoned.
Police trucks and officers on foot were visible in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, the administrative capital, Dodoma, and the northeastern city of Arusha. Roadblocks were erected near key government installations, including President Hassan’s heavily guarded offices.
Public transportation in Dar es Salaam was halted as bus drivers reportedly feared vandalism.
Police spokesperson David Misime described the situation as “calm” and urged citizens to ignore “videos from past events” being circulated online.
In a move aimed at minimizing gatherings, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on Monday asked all nonessential workers to stay home on Tuesday.
Rights Groups Raise Alarm
International rights organizations condemned the government’s response to the calls for fresh demonstrations.
Human Rights Watch on Monday decried a crackdown on Tanzanian activists, stating that at least 10 people have been arrested since mid-November following social media posts about the planned protests.
Amnesty International also issued a statement Monday, urging Tanzania to “respect the right to peaceful assembly” and warning against another internet shutdown, similar to the one that lasted for over a week after the October election.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) weighed in last Friday, asking Tanzanian authorities to “refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”
Regional Solidarity and Canceled Holiday
In neighboring Kenya, authorities arrested several activists on Tuesday for protesting outside the Tanzanian high commission in Nairobi. Kenyan activists had held a press conference on Monday in solidarity with their Tanzanian counterparts, calling on the Tanzanian government to investigate the killings and disappearances of protesters during the October unrest.
Tuesday also marked Tanzania’s annual Independence Day from British colonial rule in 1961. The government canceled the celebrations in November, saying funds would be used to repair damaged infrastructure following the violent demonstrations.
The Tanzanian government has established a commission to investigate the post-election violence, but its findings have not yet been announced.
