Tanzania Bans Protests, Deploys Troops After Disputed Election and Deadly Crackdown

Tensions rose across Tanzania after the government outlawed planned protests contesting the October 29 election and ordered a heightened security presence across major cities on Independence Day.

On Tuesday, police and soldiers patrolled largely empty streets in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha. Authorities warned that any public demonstrations would be illegal, could be treated as coup attempts and urged citizens to remain at home. Roadblocks were erected near key government sites, including the heavily guarded offices of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Unrest and Allegations

Activists had called for rallies to challenge the ruling party’s victory. Earlier demonstrations were met with a forceful crackdown in which hundreds were reported killed and more than 2,000 people detained. United Nations human rights experts have estimated that at least 700 people may have been extrajudicially killed in violence tied to the post-election unrest.

The government has acknowledged deaths during the unrest but has not published an official toll. President Hassan won a new term with nearly 98% of the vote after leading opposition candidates were barred from running. She established a commission last month to investigate election-related violence and has repeatedly denied that security forces used excessive force.

International Concerns and Missing Critics

The United States said it is reviewing its relationship with Tanzania amid concerns over violence against civilians, restrictions on religious freedom and free speech, and obstacles that could affect investment. In the months before the vote, opposition leaders and human rights groups accused authorities of involvement in the disappearance of dozens of critics. President Hassan said last year she ordered an inquiry into reported abductions, but no findings have been made public.

Note: Reports of small, scattered protests in parts of the cities circulated on social media, but could not be independently confirmed at the time.