Tanzania blocks independence day protests, calls them a ‘coup’

Tanzanian Authorities Declare Planned Protests Unlawful

Tanzanian authorities have announced that protests planned for Tuesday, intended to coincide with the country's Independence Day, are deemed unlawful and considered an attempted coup.

The protests were called in response to a violent crackdown on demonstrations during the presidential election in October. Reports from rights groups indicate that hundreds were killed and thousands arrested.

Home Affairs Minister George Simbachawene stated in a media briefing in Dar es Salaam on Monday, "Those protests are not permitted and are unlawful ... that is not a protest, that is a coup. Our security organs will handle them."

The police have declared that any demonstration would be illegal as no formal notification was received from organizers.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, in a video message on Monday, advised citizens to stay at home on December 9, unless required at work due to emergency duties.

Authorities have confirmed the arrest of at least 10 activists and opposition supporters for online posts related to the planned protests.

Significant police and army presence was reported on Monday along major roads in Dar es Salaam and the northern city of Arusha.

The United Nations has urged the government to uphold the right to non-violent protest and cautioned against using excessive force.

The protests in October were driven by the exclusion of leading opposition candidates from the presidential election. Incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote.

The government has acknowledged fatalities but has not provided an official death toll. It denies allegations of excessive force by police, attributing the violence to an attempted coup by protesters.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed a commission to investigate election-related violence, though she maintains that the security forces acted appropriately.

Based on reporting by Africanews.