Authorities in Tanzania warn people to stay at home ahead of planned Independence Day protests

Authorities Issue Warning Against Unlawful Protests

Authorities in Tanzania have issued a warning for citizens to remain at home on Tuesday, citing planned protests coinciding with the country's Independence Day as unlawful and an attempted coup.

The protests have been called for by activists and government opponents following a violent crackdown on demonstrations during the October presidential election. Reports from rights groups indicate that hundreds were killed and thousands arrested during this period.

Home Affairs Minister George Simbachawene emphasized in a media briefing in Dar es Salaam that the protests are illegal and equate to a coup attempt. He stated, "Our security organs will handle them."

Legal Position and Government Advisory

The police have declared that any demonstrations would be illegal, as no formal notification has been received from the organizers. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, in a video statement, advised citizens to stay home on December 9, unless work obligations require otherwise.

Authorities have confirmed the arrest of at least 10 activists and opposition supporters in connection to online posts about the planned protests. Significant deployments of police and army personnel were observed on Monday in major areas of Dar es Salaam and the northern city of Arusha.

The United Nations has urged the Tanzanian government to respect the right to non-violent protest and cautioned against the use of excessive force.

The protests in October were largely a response to the exclusion of leading opposition candidates from the presidential election, where incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote.

The government has acknowledged fatalities occurred but has not provided its own figures and denies allegations of excessive force by police. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed a commission to investigate election-related violence but maintains that the security forces acted appropriately, accusing protesters of attempting to overthrow the government.

Based on reporting by Africanews.