Tanzania Unrest
By Shadrack Nyakoe
A mass of protesters has on Friday 31, 2025 gathered outside the country’s state house, with numbers steadily climbing, amid continuing unrest over the recent general election. Video footage circulating on social media shows a dense crowd of demonstrators advancing toward the capital’s government district.
The demonstrations are part of the broader wave of civil unrest triggered by what critics describe as a “sham” election. Protesters accuse the government of suppressing opposition challengers and manipulating electoral outcomes.
Security forces, including police and additional reinforcements, have been deployed across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, in anticipation of further marches. In several neighbourhoods, officers reportedly used tear-gas and live fire to disperse crowds.
The recently declared curfew remains in place in several areas, and the internet has been intermittently disrupted.
The march toward the state house signals a significant escalation in the demonstrations: protesters are now targeting central seats of power rather than just city neighbourhoods. Many young people appear to be leading the charge, chanting demands for fresh elections, new leadership and greater accountability.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed “serious concern” over reports that security forces have killed at least ten people during the protests. It remains unclear whether any of the demonstrators at the state house march have been injured or detained, as official statements are still forthcoming.
As the crowd grows and converges on government buildings, the stakes are rising for the administration of Samia Suluhu Hassan. Whether authorities will facilitate a peaceful protest or launch a crackdown may determine the next phase of the crisis.
