Tanzania tightens security, outlaws protests over disputed election

"Tanzania's prime minister asked all non-essential workers to stay home, and public transport was stopped ahead of the expected protests. Tensions are high in Tanzania after the government outlawed planned protests over its disputed victory in elections in October. Police and soldiers were patrolling largely empty streets in major cities on Tuesday Tanzania's Independence Day after the government preemptively ruled that any protest would be illegal and treated as a coup attempt, and urged people to stay at home."

"Activists have called for protests over the ruling party's victory in the vote on October 29. Rallies contesting the election met a crackdown in which hundreds of people were killed and more than 2,000 detained. On Tuesday, police trucks and officers on foot patrolled the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, the administrative capital Dodoma and the northeastern city of Arusha, while roadblocks were erected near key government installations including President Samia Suluhu Hassan's heavily guarded offices."

"United Nations human rights experts said last week that at least 700 people were estimated to have been extrajudicially killed in the violence. The government has acknowledged that people died, but has not provided its own death toll. The United States said last week that it was reviewing its relationship with Tanzania over concerns about violence against civilians as well as religious freedom, free speech and barriers to investment."

Tanzania banned planned protests, ordered non-essential workers to stay home, and stopped public transport ahead of Independence Day. Police and soldiers patrolled largely empty streets in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha, and roadblocks were set near key government sites including the president's offices. Activists called for rallies over the ruling party's October 29 victory; previous contesting rallies faced a crackdown that killed hundreds and detained over 2,000. The president won a new term with nearly 98% after opposition candidates were barred. UN experts estimated at least 700 extrajudicial killings; the government acknowledged deaths but gave no toll. The United States is reviewing its relationship over concerns about violence, religious freedom, free speech and investment barriers.

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