Heavy security, empty streets as Tanzania suppresses planned demos

A wave of independence-themed protests planned across parts of Tanzania on Tuesday was halted before it began, after authorities effectively confined would-be demonstrators to their homes.

What was expected to be a public push for democratic freedoms and government transparency instead turned into a day of state-enforced silence.

As Tanzania marks another year since gaining independence, the country is grappling with one of its most significant political and human rights crises in decades, prompting calls for restraint, dialogue, and reform from both domestic and international actors.

The Independence Day protest had been organised by a coalition of youth activists, civil society groups and reform-minded citizens who hoped to rekindle the spirit of the country’s historic liberation movement. Peaceful marches, symbolic flag-raising ceremonies and public forums on political rights had been planned in major towns.

?? “We’re locked inside like rats,” says man filming empty streets in Dar es Salaam after the Tanzanian government outlawed Independence Day protests and ordered people to stay indoors pic.twitter.com/KcWUZrbkrS

— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) December 9, 2025

On Monday, the government urged citizens to stay indoors unless necessary.

“The government advises all citizens who have no urgent matters on December 9, 2025, to use the day for rest, celebrating at home, except for those whose work responsibilities require them to be at their posts,” Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said.

Authorities also warned against circulating old or unverified videos purporting to show ongoing protests or violence, saying such content was intended to incite fear and unrest.

Tanzania began the day peacefully, albeit under a heavy security presence in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya and Moshi. Many businesses, offices and fuel stations remained closed as a precaution, with memories still fresh of the October 29 demonstrations that resulted in extensive property damage.

But before dawn, security forces swept through several neighbourhoods, issuing warnings, restricting movement, and in some cases physically blocking residents from leaving their homes.

Streets that activists hoped would echo with chants for unity and accountability remained eerily silent. Doors stayed shut, some locked by force, others closed out of fear.

Inside, would-be protesters voiced frustration.

Some recorded videos waving national flags from their windows; others turned to social media, insisting the struggle for freedom would continue even if the streets were empty.

Pat wrote: “What’s happening in Dar es Salaam is worrying. Locking people indoors instead of letting them express themselves freely only reopens old wounds from darker moments in Tanzania’s past. If Independence Day requires silencing citizens, then something is deeply wrong with the state of freedom.”

David Magori added: “Independence Day, and yet we still struggle to make independent decisions.”

Human rights observers condemned the tactic as a violation of basic civil liberties, noting that freedom of assembly and expression lies at the heart of any democracy. While the government insisted the restrictions were necessary to maintain order, many critics saw them as a symbolic step backward from the values of independence Tanzanians have celebrated for generations.

Despite being confined indoors, the movement gained unexpected momentum online, where hashtags about freedom, unity and independence trended throughout the day.

The BBC reported widespread closures of private and public offices, shops and fuel stations.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged Tanzanian authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms ahead of the planned demonstrations.

“We urge all authorities to ensure the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are fully respected,” the OHCHR said, noting the international community was closely monitoring developments.

Political reactions also poured in.

Dennis Itumbi wrote,  “The chaos you anticipated won’t happen… violence offers no solution, dialogue does. Tanzania needs to embrace peace. Pole ndugu.”

Senator Mong’are Okong’o commented, “Tanzania’s rulers are dragging the country back to Kenya’s Moi-era shadows and Uganda’s past crackdowns, yet the West you glorify will issue statements, shrug, and move on with realpolitik over rights.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the last election with nearly 98 per cent of the vote—an outcome the opposition continues to reject as illegitimate.