By Tanzanian authorities instructed civil servants and students to stay home on Thursday, a day after a general election was disrupted by violent protests that prompted police to impose a curfew in Dar es Salaam.
Protesters took to the streets in the commercial capital and several other cities during Wednesday’s vote, angered by the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two main challengers from the presidential race and what they describe as increasing repression of government critics. Clashes with police erupted, and a local government office in Dar es Salaam was set on fire. Internet access across the country was also disrupted.
“All public servants in the country should work from home except those whose job duties require them to be present at their workplaces as directed by their employers,” stated a post shared on the Instagram account of government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa late on Wednesday. The state television channel also announced that students should study from home on Thursday. Msigwa did not respond to calls or messages seeking further clarification.
Early Thursday, the streets of Dar es Salaam were calm as residents emerged from the curfew, but a heavy security presence remained. On the Zello app, which allows smartphones to operate like walkie-talkies, some protesters discussed plans for additional demonstrations, including marches on government buildings.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, had called for protests during the election, which it described as a “coronation” of President Hassan. CHADEMA was disqualified in April after refusing to sign a code of conduct, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason. Another opposition candidate from ACT-Wazalendo was also disqualified, leaving only minor parties to challenge Hassan.
President Hassan, one of only two female heads of state in Africa, received praise after taking office in 2021 for easing the censorship and political repression that marked the era of her predecessor, John Magufuli. In recent years, however, rights groups and opposition candidates have accused the government of carrying out unexplained abductions of critics.
Hassan said last year that she had ordered investigations into reports of abductions, but no official findings have been made public.
