Tanzania has urged civil servants and students to remain at home following a tense national election that triggered widespread protests and a curfew in Dar es Salaam. The directive came just hours after unrest broke out over the exclusion of major opposition candidates from the ballot.
On Wednesday, demonstrations erupted across Dar es Salaam and other cities as citizens expressed anger over what they believe to be shrinking democratic space and the barring of two key challengers to President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Protesters alleged increasing pressure on government critics and a lack of transparency in the electoral process.
Clashes with police were reported, and one government office in Dar es Salaam was set ablaze. Internet services across Tanzania were also disrupted, further heightening concern and confusion among residents.
In an announcement posted to the government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa’s Instagram account, authorities instructed civil servants to work from home unless otherwise required. State television also advised students to remain home and continue studies remotely.
By Thursday morning, Dar es Salaam streets were mostly empty, although security forces remained on high alert. Protesters, however, continued organizing through alternative communication channels such as the Zello app, discussing plans for further demonstrations, including potential marches on government buildings.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, accused the government of staging a symbolic “coronation” of Hassan. The party was barred from the election months earlier after refusing to sign a code of conduct, while its leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges. The exclusion of ACT-Wazalendo’s candidate left only smaller parties on the ballot.
President Hassan, Africa’s second female head of state, was once applauded for undoing media restrictions and political crackdowns under former leader John Magufuli. However, rights organizations say recent years have seen fresh accusations of intimidation and unexplained disappearances of government critics. While Hassan previously promised investigations, no formal findings have been released.
