Tanzania: Police deployed to cities amid planned protests

Police were deployed across major Tanzanian cities amid planned protests on the nation’s Independence Day, according to a report from Africa News via AP on December 9th.

The nation’s annual Independence Day is marked on December 9th and commemorates mainland Tanzania’s independence from Britain in 1961.

During a media briefing on December 8th, protestors were warned to stay home as protests scheduled to coincide with Independence Day were designated as an attempted coup by Tanzanian authorities.

At the briefing in Dar es Salaam, Home Affairs Minister George Simbachawene said that “Those protests are not permitted and are unlawful … that is not a protest, that is a coup.” He warned protestors that “Our security organs will handle them.”

The protests were linked to unrest following the October 29th election result, which was won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who barred opposition candidates from standing and banned foreign journalists from reporting.

On December 5th, it was reported that a government directive had restricted access to the social media accounts of Tanzanian activists. Fearing more unrest, Independence Day celebrations were also pre-emptively cancelled, with funding redirected to repair damage caused in previous riots.

At least 700 people were killed as protestors were met with a violent crackdown from the police and army, with Hassan facing criticism over allegations that she silenced her opponents.

At least 240 people were also charged with treason over post-election protests, with the UN calling for an investigation into the violence on November 11th.

In response to widespread demonstrations, the Tanzanian government imposed a curfew and a six-day internet blackout on its citizens. This made information related to the violence difficult to verify.

Internet access was partially restored on November 3rd, although mobile phone users received a notification warning them that sharing images or videos that may cause panic could result in “treason charges.”

Hassan was sworn into office on November 3rd, after achieving 98% of the vote. Civil rights groups have denounced the “wave of terror” during the run-up to the election, which saw activists abducted and critics silenced.

In a cabinet reshuffle on November 17th, Hassan appointed her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, to serve as the country’s Deputy Minister of Education. Ameir’s husband and Hassan’s son-in-law, Mohamed Mchengerwa, was appointed as the Minister of Health.

The appointment of family members to key roles is likely to further undermine the legitimacy of Hassan’s administration, as the election result has been widely disputed.

Members of the opposition Chadema party have been detained on charges of treason, including the party’s deputy leader, John Heche, who is facing terrorism charges.

On November 5th, observers from the African Union said that the Tanzanian election was “compromised”, as they allegedly witnessed ballot stuffing and multiple ballots being given to voters.

Africa News via AP and agencies, Maghrebi.org