Security lockdown sees streets deserted as Tanzanian govt blocks Independence Day demonstrations

Shops remained closed, and residents holed up in their homes as a massive deployment of security forces patrolled major cities in Tanzania on Tuesday, following the government’s warning against planned Independence Day protests.

A day earlier, the Tanzanian government said that protests would amount to an attempted coup - a move political analysts and residents in Arusha said aimed to curb free speech.

“Young people feel bad because it seems like no one listens to our voices,” said Farijieni Daniel, a resident. “If government leaders, starting from the grassroots level, cooperated with us and took our viewpoints into account, it would motivate us to avoid chaos and maintain peace.”

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on Monday had asked all non-essential workers to stay home.

“It is a very bad image for our government to do something like this. In general, protests are a right,” said another resident.

Political analyst Mussa Juma said the situation raised questions about the Tanzanian government’s accountability to its citizens, particularly in upholding the constitution, the rule of law, and freedom of expression.

“I have the impression that somehow or other, those who had the right to demonstrate were denied that right,” Juma noted. “Many have had their rights denied.” He added that the government’s warning gave a ‘bad image’ and infringed on people’s freedom.

In October, the East African country witnessed its worst political violence in years after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the national polls with 98% of the vote. Post-election violence had left hundreds dead, according to the UN.

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