### Tanzania's Government Responds to Election Protests with Security Measures In the wake of a disputed election where the ruling party claimed a landslide victory, the Tanzanian government has taken drastic measures to prevent protests. Activists had called for nationwide demonstrations to contest the legitimacy of the election results, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan reelected with over 97% of the vote. The government has declared any protests illegal and has deployed police and military forces across major cities to maintain order and discourage public gatherings [https://news.az/news/tanzania-bans-protests-tightens-security-after-election][https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-protests-election-independence-day-204bd3dfe4d5a59ec75158685b777808]. ### Overview of the Situation and Government Actions 1. **Election Context**: The October 29 election results have been widely contested, leading to calls for protests from various activist groups. 2. **Government Response**: In anticipation of protests, the government has declared all demonstrations illegal and has urged citizens to refrain from gathering, especially during the Independence Day celebrations on December 9 [https://mainnews.co.za/africa/tanzanian-police-declare-independence-day-protests-illegal]. 3. **Security Measures**: Police and military presence has been significantly increased in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Arusha, with roadblocks set up near government buildings [https://www.freedom969.com/world-news/tanzania-police-patrol-streets-on-national-holiday-ahead-of-planned-protests-over-october-election][https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/09/africa/tanzania-independence-day-protests-intl]. ### Evidence of Government Actions and Public Response - **Deployment of Forces**: Police and military units have been seen patrolling the streets, with reports indicating that many areas are largely deserted as citizens stay home due to the heavy security presence [https://mwanzotv.com/tanzania-streets-deserted-as-heavy-security-spooks-protesters]. - **Casualties from Previous Protests**: The violent suppression of protests following the October election resulted in hundreds of deaths and over 2,000 detentions, which has heightened tensions and fears among the populace [https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-protests-election-independence-day-204bd3dfe4d5a59ec75158685b777808]. ### Conclusion and Implications of the Current Situation **The Tanzanian government's stringent measures against protests reflect a broader trend of suppressing dissent in the wake of contested elections.** 1. **Increased Security**: The heavy police and military presence indicates a government unwilling to tolerate opposition, especially in light of past violence. 2. **Public Sentiment**: The fear of reprisals has led to a significant decrease in public demonstrations, as evidenced by the deserted streets on Independence Day [https://stkittsgazette.com/tanzania-tightens-security-outlaws-protests-over-disputed-election]. 3. **Future Outlook**: The ongoing tension between the government and opposition groups may lead to further unrest if the underlying issues regarding electoral legitimacy are not addressed. The situation in Tanzania remains fluid, and the government's approach to dissent will likely continue to evolve as it navigates the challenges posed by public discontent and calls for reform.