Tanzania has called off its upcoming Independence Day celebrations, redirecting the budget to repair infrastructure damaged during violent post-election unrest. The decision was confirmed by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, who explained that the country must prioritize recovery over ceremonial activities this year.
The announcement follows growing pressure from opposition groups urging Tanzanians to gather on December 9 to protest the fatal clashes linked to last month’s disputed election. Although the opposition claims that hundreds may have died, the government has not released an official death toll and has instead set up a commission to investigate the incidents.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured 98% of the vote in the fiercely contested election — a result the opposition dismissed as undemocratic. Key challengers were unable to run: Tundu Lissu remains in detention on treason charges, which he denies, while Luhaga Mpina was disqualified on procedural grounds.
Reports from election observers indicate that the poll showed signs of manipulation and failed to meet democratic standards. Meanwhile, an international coalition of human rights organizations and legal experts has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a probe into alleged crimes against humanity during the unrest. The submission cites claims of mass killings and the covert disposal of more than 500 bodies.
The unrest unfolded under a government-imposed internet shutdown that lasted five days from election day, with authorities warning citizens against sharing protest images. Nevertheless, graphic videos and photos of casualties circulated widely, with global media verifying several as authentic. The government has condemned the coverage as misrepresenting the country and harming its reputation.
Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa maintains that the commission of inquiry will clarify what happened, though rights groups have questioned its independence. More than 240 people were arrested and charged with treason after the protests, but President Samia later urged prosecutors to exercise leniency, leading to multiple releases.
During the announcement of the celebration’s cancellation, Nchemba appealed for calm and dialogue, stressing the need to prevent further violence. He urged citizens to confront national issues collectively, saying the consequences of returning to recent turmoil would be “irreparable.”
President Samia, who took office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, was initially applauded for opening up the political space. However, critics say those reforms have since reversed, and the current tensions reflect a deeper democratic decline.