The United States has issued a security warning regarding Tanzania ahead of scheduled anti-government protests expected on Tuesday, December 9.
In a statement on Monday, December 1, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam noted that travellers to Tanzania may face nationwide curfews, roadblocks, internet blackouts, ferry cancellations to Zanzibar, and disruptions to international flights during the protests.
According to the embassy, foreign nationals are also likely to experience increased attention from Tanzanian authorities, especially after the recent post-election fracas that led to the destruction of infrastructure, use of force against civilians, internet shutdowns, and travel disruptions.
The embassy says that Tanzanian authorities are searching foreigners’ electronic devices for evidence of connections to unrest or politically sensitive content.
According to the embassy, it will be important to take precautions such as avoiding demonstrations, having enough supplies, complying with curfew announcements and local laws, confirming flights via telephone before travelling to the airport, and reviewing your personal safety plan, since the embassy will be limited in assisting travellers during the period of unrest.
"Following recent unrest, foreign nationals have experienced increased attention from local security authorities, and security forces have searched electronics for evidence of connection to unrest or politically sensitive content," the embassy stated.
"Police have reminded the public that under Tanzanian law, the sharing of pictures or videos that may cause panic is an offense. There are reports of security authorities searching electronic devices for politically sensitive content," it added.
During the protests, Tanzanians are expected to demonstrate against the killings that took place during their election period last month, which claimed the lives of hundreds.
The country's opposition, which called President Samia Suluhu Hassan's victory in the elections last month "a mockery of democracy", is pushing for more protests.
December 9 was supposed to be Tanzanian independence day celebrations; however, the Tanzanian government cancelled the celebrations and claimed that the funds that were meant to cater for the preparations of the celebrations would be utilised to rebuild infrastructure damaged in recent election unrest.
While announcing the cancellation, Tanzania's Prime Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, urged Tanzanians to avoid chaos and instead engage in political dialogues with the government.
"I urge my fellow Tanzanians to come together and discuss the issues affecting us. Let us not return to what we went through, because the consequences are irreparable," Nchemba said.
