Alert+

Tanzania Protests

Protests Erupt in Dar es Salaam Amid Election Unrest and Government Crackdown

SITUATION SUMMARY | Intelligence cut off: 1600 UTC 29 OCTOBER 2025

As a result of general elections being held in Tanzania on 29 October, civil unrest has broken out in Dar es Salaam, with protesters gathering along major highways to demand electoral reforms and fair elections.

Security forces deployed tear gas to disperse opposition supporters in the Kimara Kibo area, with social media footage depicting demonstrators responding by throwing rocks. In the Kimara Baruti area, protesters set fire to a bus station. Demonstrations have also been reported in Magomeni, Ubungo, Kinondoni, Shekilango, and Tandale areas. Several polling stations have reportedly been attacked and multiple protesters have been injured.

The US Embassy in Tanzania has advised US government personnel to shelter in place and avoid demonstrations or crowds, keep a low profile, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of their surroundings.

NetBlocks has reported a nationwide internet disruption, and authorities have declared a curfew in Dar es Salaam from 18:00 local time.

INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS

Ruling Party’s Tight Grip Fuels Election Tensions and Nationwide Unrest Risk

Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has held power since the country’s independence in 1961, initially through its predecessor party, Tanzania Mainland (TANU). Since the 2015 election, which resulted in CCM achieving its smallest vote share of 58 per cent, the government has become increasingly authoritarian. Under incumbent president Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government has cracked down on opposition, civil society, and journalists.

The main opposition party, The Party for Democracy and Progress (CHADEMA), was barred from running in April 2025, with its leader, Tundu Lissu, arrested and charged with treason in response to pro-democracy protests. Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate for Alliance for Change and Transparency – Wazalendo (ACT-Wazalendo), was also disqualified from entering the race due to alleged procedural issues within the party’s nomination process.

The general election is widely perceived as cementing the continuation of CCM’s rule, with the party standing effectively unchallenged. Post-2015 elections have been characterised by observers as containing systematic fraud, intimidation, and obstruction. Electoral results have heavily favoured the government, with CCM securing 98.7 per cent of the vote share in the 2020 parliamentary elections and 99.3 per cent in the November 2024 local government elections. The ongoing general elections will highly likely result in the government achieving similarly high numbers to recent elections.

Tanzania has historically responded harshly to civil unrest. Following the 2020 elections, protests against government corruption erupted in Zanzibar. Security forces responded forcefully, with reports of soldiers, police, and a militia linked to the CCM beating civilians and using live ammunition against demonstrators, killing nine. Thousands also demonstrated in January 2024 to demand constitutional changes to reform the electoral commission and reduce presidential powers.

Authorities will highly likely enforce the curfew severely in an attempt to prevent the protests from gaining traction. If the protests continue, the authorities will highly likely respond with crackdowns including mass arrests, tear gas, water cannon, and potentially live ammunition. Internet shutdowns are almost certainly being imposed to prevent the spread of anti-government sentiment, particularly among the youth, with large-scale ‘Gen Z’ protests leading to the ousting of governments in Nepal and Madagascar in recent months.

There is a realistic possibility that major protests will spread beyond Dar es Salaam and become widespread across Tanzania’s urban centres, including Dodoma and Zanzibar, where military personnel have reportedly been deployed. If civil unrest escalates, airport disruptions are likely, with airlines potentially cancelling flights and roadblocks preventing access to major airports.

Travel and Safety Guidance

Avoid all major government buildings, polling stations, universities, and police facilities. Reassess travel to Tanzania.
Allocate additional time for all road travel in Dar es Salaam and other urban centres in Tanzania.
Plan for potential internet and communications disruptions; ensure you have emergency contacts saved on your phone and plan any potential travel routes. Emergency contacts should include the local authorities, medical facilities and any consular support. Ensure that mobile phones are charged in case of any loss of electricity.
Closely monitor announcements from local authorities and trusted media sources for any developments that may severely impact the local security environment.
Avoid all areas of unrest due to incidental risks to bystanders. If caught in the unrest, travellers should move with the crowd until they find the nearest opportunity to escape. If in a vehicle, look to turn down the nearest road. If driving away is not an option, lock the vehicle and escape on foot.
Always follow all instructions and orders from authorities. Where possible, avoid areas of active unrest and remain in a secure accommodation. Adhere to curfews.
Prolonged civil unrest can disrupt travel, especially if protesters begin targeting airports. Travellers should have contingency measures in place, including evacuation plans and reliable access to food, water and medication.
If caught in the vicinity of a security incident, seek shelter immediately and leave the area if safe to do so. Continue to adhere to all instructions issued by authorities and obey any security cordons in place.
If available, monitor your intelligence provider’s alerting platform for updates relevant to the unrest.