Tanzania marked its 9 December Independence Day under a strong security presence after authorities moved to block planned nationwide protests against President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Police announced Monday that security had been reinforced across all major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, after activist groups called for “peaceful and indefinite” demonstrations. Officers said they had been monitoring organizers for weeks. Despite the calls, no protests materialized. Streets in Dar es Salaam remained noticeably quiet on Tuesday, with many citizens saying they feared arrests or harsh crackdowns—especially after police blocked similar gatherings earlier this year.
The protest push followed mass demonstrations two months ago over Hassan’s contested re-election with 98% of the vote, a result that opposition groups and observers widely criticized as neither free nor fair. Police said the planned demonstrations were formally cancelled on 5 December, and urged the public to “prioritize peace and stability” during the national holiday. Opposition figures, however, accuse the government of suppressing dissent through intimidation and heavy deployment of security forces.
