Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her swearing-in ceremony./FILETanzania has cancelled public celebrations of its Independence Day slated for December 9.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, on Monday evening, announced that instead President Samia Suluhu had directed the funds meant for the celebrations be re-channelled towards correcting the economic slump which Tanzania has experienced over the past three weeks.
“The president has directed that on December 9, there will be no celebrations for Independence,” Nchemba said.
“The responsible sectors, including the implementing agencies and the coordinator, must ensure that all the funds are properly allocated. The President has reiterated that all damaged infrastructure must be repaired.”
The move comes days after several Tanzanians were reportedly killed in the aftermath of the October 29 General Election chaos that were marred by internet and electricity blackouts that saw Samia declared the winner.
The Tanzanian president is battling legitimacy concerns after the African Union, the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC), and other regional and international groups dismissed the election as undemocratic and violating both the Tanzanian constitution and international tenets of democracy and fair elections.
A recent exposé by CNN revealed that Dodoma massacred hundreds of its citizens and buried some in secret mass graves during the four days of internet darkness.
In response to the CNN story, Tanzania said that verification of the investigative report on violence that occurred during and after October 29 is still ongoing, and a comprehensive official statement will be issued once the process is complete.
Chief Government Spokesperson and Secretary General of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, told journalists that the government was reviewing the claims made in the report, insisting that the network failed to follow professional journalistic standards.
Msigwa argued that the article—authored by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo—did not demonstrate fairness, claiming it did not sufficiently include the Government’s version of events.
“The CNN article covering events in Tanzania from October 29, 2025, did not adhere to professionalism or fairness. It is not true that CNN was unable to get the Government’s side of the issue in all the reports they are releasing,” Msigwa said.
He expressed concern that a global media outlet such as CNN could “make such a mistake,” adding that Tanzania expects international broadcasters to uphold ethical standards, especially in times of crisis.
“It is disturbing to see a media house like CNN could make such a mistake. The Tanzanian government is urging CNN to abide by journalism ethics and standards,” he said.
Msigwa further accused the network of releasing reports that “mislead and create unnecessary tension,” especially at a time when the country is coping with loss and instability.
“We were all shocked by the deaths. I am not saying I am unmoved by the tragedy, but why prepare a one-sided report that adds pain and fuels anger?” he posed.
Tanzania is yet to give statistics on the number of casualties, with Samia appointing a task force to probe the chaos-related deaths that she took several days to acknowledge.
In the wake of the demos and fear of new protests, Tanzania embarked on a crackdown of WhatsApp group administrators and members who discuss or use the social media forum to mobilise for the December 9 protests.
The police action has been ongoing since mid-November and targets those accused of spreading hatred among the community and inciting violence in the country, as well as distributing provocative and divisive words.
Last week, Doctors’ Union Medical Officers of Tanzania group admin was reportedly abducted from his Geita home by a group of people in two cars; a Premio and a Land Cruiser.
Geita Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Safia Jongo, later clarified the allegations of abductions, saying the medic was arrested due to ‘evidence collected regarding various criminal allegations’ leveled against him.
Clemence Mwandambo, a popular social media user known for criticising the government, is also among those being held over incitement claims.
Mwandambo, a teacher, was arrested on November 21, 2025, in Mbeya and accused of circulating provocative messages on Facebook and Instagram.
The first group admin to be picked was Ambrose Leonce Dede on November 13, 2025, on accusations of “planning and inciting crime through a WhatsApp group.”
Dede, identified by police as a CHADEMA member, allegedly used a group named SAUTI YA WATANZANIA to coordinate the acts.
