U.S. Issues New Security Warning for Tanzania Ahead of Planned Protests
The United States has released a fresh security warning for Tanzania, just days before anti-government demonstrations are expected on Tuesday, December 9. The advisory comes amid rising tensions following the country’s recent elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 1, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam highlighted that travellers to Tanzania could face a range of disruptions during the protests.
These may include nationwide curfews, roadblocks, ferry cancellations to Zanzibar, internet blackouts, and even interruptions to international flights.
The embassy also warned that foreign nationals might come under heightened scrutiny from Tanzanian authorities, particularly after the violent unrest that followed the elections.
These disturbances included the destruction of public infrastructure, use of force against civilians, internet shutdowns, and significant travel disruptions.
Authorities in Tanzania have reportedly been inspecting electronic devices of foreigners to find evidence of connections to political unrest or sensitive content. The embassy stressed that travellers should take strong precautions to ensure their safety.
This includes avoiding all demonstrations, maintaining adequate supplies, following curfew and other government directives, confirming flights directly with airlines before heading to the airport, and reviewing personal safety plans.
The embassy cautioned that it will have limited ability to assist travellers during periods of unrest.
“Following recent unrest, foreign nationals have faced increased scrutiny from local security forces, with authorities searching electronic devices for any connections to the protests or politically sensitive content,” the embassy said in its statement.
The embassy further noted, “Under Tanzanian law, sharing images or videos that could incite panic is considered a criminal offense. There have been several reports of security officers examining electronic devices for content that may be politically sensitive.”
The planned protests are being driven by Tanzanians who want to express anger over the violent incidents during the recent election period, which claimed hundreds of lives.
The opposition has criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s recent election win, calling it “a mockery of democracy,” and is encouraging citizens to participate in more demonstrations.
Originally, December 9 was set to mark Tanzanian Independence Day celebrations. However, the government has canceled the festivities, citing the need to redirect funds to rebuild infrastructure damaged during the post-election unrest.
In response to the unrest, Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba urged citizens to avoid violence and instead engage in constructive political dialogue with the government.
“I call on all Tanzanians to come together and discuss the issues affecting our nation. Let us not repeat the chaos of the past, as the consequences can be irreparable,” Nchemba said.
This latest U.S. warning highlights the ongoing risks for both Tanzanians and foreigners in the country as political tensions remain high and the nation seeks to recover from recent election-related violence.
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