Tanzania marks muted Freedom Day as protests fade in lockdown

 

Police officers inspect vehicles at a deserted intersection in Dar Es Salaam on December 9, 2025 during a day of demonstrations against the violent crackdown by security forces on election demonstrations. [AFP]

If Tanzania’s founding father, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, were to return on the country’s 64th Independence Day, he would struggle to recognise the nation he fought hard to build with sweat and blood.

For the first time in Tanzania’s history, Independence Day was marked not by the usual and familiar pomp and colour, but an eerie emptiness. Streets fell silent under a sweeping lock down that effectively confined citizens to their homes.

For President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who came into office with a contentious 98 per cent victory, this would have been her first major public holiday address since taking power in October, but instead, she was a no show. President Suluhu chose to assume a low profile, offering only a brief Independence Day message on X, the same platform her government has ironically banned for ordinary Tanzanians.

“As we celebrate this day, let us remember to uphold peace, unity and harmony,” President Suluhu said.

Instead of celebration however, Tanzania witnessed one of its darkest and most subdued independence anniversaries with anticipated nationwide protests largely a no-show, as the loudest fireworks ironically shifted to Nairobi where activists stormed the Tanzanian Embassy, demanding change in a country they say has lost its way. There was heavy police presence across major roads in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza and several other urban centres where security forces mounted roadblocks to restrict movement into the CBD. Both police and military officers patrolled key cities, reinforcing the government’s warning against public gatherings.

In Dar, protesters were expected to converge at a designated meeting point before marching toward either government offices or the main airport. But from early morning, security vehicles crisscrossed the city’s main arteries and intersections, with officers taking up positions around strategic installations and public infrastructure.

By midday, the city remained relatively calm as most residents chose to stay indoors. No major clashes were reported, though unverified videos circulated online showing small pockets of crowds in parts of the country where activists attempted to push ahead with pro-democracy calls.

Tanzanian authorities downplayed the scale of the demonstrations. Officials had earlier banned the protests and cancelled Independence Day celebrations altogether, directing citizens to remain indoors a move widely interpreted as an attempt to choke public assembly. Only essential service providers were exempt from the stay-home advisory.

Police maintained that the protests were illegal.

“What has been circulated online are past videos, mostly from the October 29 protests. We have not seen protests anywhere today. Those sharing the videos only intend to incite the public,” said Police Spokesperson David Misime.

Still, distraught citizens posted videos of deserted streets as they condemned the state’s handling of the day.

“We’ve been locked in like rats on our own Independence Day. This is unacceptable. It is dictatorship,” said one protester.