Tanzania has announced the cancellation of its upcoming Independence Day celebrations, which are scheduled for December 9, as funds will instead be redirected towards rebuilding infrastructure damaged during unrest following the recent election. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba made this statement amid opposition calls for public gatherings on this date to protest alleged killings that occurred after last month’s contested election.
The opposition claims that hundreds of individuals lost their lives during the crackdown after the polls, although the government has not released an official death toll. In response to these events, a commission of inquiry has been established. President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured 98% of the vote in the election, a result that the opposition has condemned as undemocratic. Key opposition figures such as Tundu Lissu were unable to participate, with Lissu detained on treason charges and Luhaga Mpina’s candidacy dismissed for technical reasons.
Election observers have reported irregularities indicating possible manipulation of the electoral process. Additionally, the government imposed an internet blackout for five days starting on the election day and has warned against sharing images from the protests. While gruesome images of the aftermath have circulated online, some verified by international media, the government has criticized this portrayal, asserting that it harms Tanzania’s image.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa expressed that the inquiry would clarify the situation, though concerns have been raised about the commission’s independence. Following the unrest, at least 240 individuals were charged with treason, but the president has since called for leniency, leading to the release of many of those detained.
In his announcement, Nchemba urged Tanzanians to refrain from violence and emphasized the need for political dialogue, noting that such discussions are vital to avoid past conflicts, with potentially severe consequences. President Samia Suluhu Hassan became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, initially praised for easing political constraints, although the current political climate appears more restrictive.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y2gpp1q67o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss