Tanzanians line up to vote at a polling station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania/SCREENGRABThe U.S. Embassy in Tanzania has advised all government personnel to shelter in place at their residences following reports of ongoing demonstrations across multiple locations in the country.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said Tanzanian security services were responding to the incidents and urged staff to avoid demonstrations and crowds, keep a low profile, and monitor local media for updates.
“U.S. Government personnel are advised to shelter in place at their residences,” the embassy said, adding that those requiring assistance should contact the mission in Dar es Salaam.
The embassy also encouraged U.S. citizens in Tanzania to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alerts and safety guidance.
The advisory comes amid violent demonstrations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, following a controversial general election widely expected to deliver victory to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Unverified videos circulating on social media show young protesters clashing with security forces, throwing rocks, and a petrol station engulfed in flames.
Witnesses reported unrest in at least four neighbourhoods of the city as police moved to disperse crowds.
The vote has drawn criticism after the disqualification of leading opposition candidates, including Tundu Lissu of the CHADEMA party, who is currently on trial for treason—charges he denies. CHADEMA was barred from participating in April after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct.
Similarly, Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate for the ACT-Wazalendo party, was disqualified following an objection from the attorney general, leaving only candidates from minor parties to challenge President Hassan.
This month, unknown assailants took the country’s former ambassador to Cuba, now a fierce critic of the government, from his home, his family said.
Authorities have maintained that the election process is fair and transparent, dismissing allegations of human rights violations and abductions of opposition figures.
Voters are also casting ballots for members of Tanzania’s 400-seat parliament and for local leadership in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago.
President Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of former President John Magufuli, initially won international praise for easing restrictions on the opposition and media.
However, rights groups and political activists say the past two years have seen a renewed crackdown, including unexplained disappearances of government critics.
Hassan has previously pledged to uphold human rights and democratic freedoms, and last year ordered an investigation into reports of abductions — though no official findings have been released.
As tensions rise and the protests spread, the U.S. Embassy’s warning underscores growing international concern about Tanzania’s political stability during this volatile election period.
