What You Need to Know
The Tanzanian government has canceled the upcoming independence celebrations scheduled for December 9, amid rising public calls for protests against what the opposition describes as “massacres” linked to the recent general elections. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced that funds allocated for the celebrations will be redirected to infrastructure damaged during unrest following the October 29.
Africa. The Tanzanian government has announced the cancellation of the independence celebrations scheduled for December 9, amid rising public calls for protests against what the opposition describes as “massacres” linked to the recent general elections.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba stated that the funds allocated for the celebrations will be redirected to infrastructure that was damaged during the unrest following the election on October 29.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98% of the votes; however, opposition parties rejected the results, labeling them as “completely fabricated” and “unreal.”
Key opposition competitors were sidelined either through imprisonment or administrative decisions. Tundu Lissu, the leader of the Chadema party, has been in prison since April on charges related to treason, while the opposition candidate Luhaga Mpina was barred from running for “procedural” reasons.
Protests and Repression
Thousands of citizens took to the streets to denounce the results, facing a crackdown from authorities described by human rights organizations as “violent” and “repressive.”
The opposition claims that hundreds were killed during these protests, while the government has yet to release an official death toll, only forming an investigative committee that has raised doubts about its independence.
In his recent statements, the Prime Minister urged citizens to avoid violence and engage in political dialogue. He added, “I encourage my Tanzanian brothers to unite and discuss the issues affecting us. We do not want to return to what we have experienced, as the consequences can be irreparable.”
Tanzania has a history of political tension, particularly surrounding elections. The recent general elections, held on October 29, were marred by allegations of violence and suppression of opposition candidates. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98% of the votes, but the opposition has dismissed the results as fabricated, leading to widespread protests and calls for accountability. The government’s response to these protests has raised concerns about human rights violations and the state of democracy in the country.
