Following the Tanzania election on 29 October 2025, which included the vote for President, members of the National Assembly and ward councillors, violent protests erupted in several cities, leading to a forceful response by the police and the imposition of a curfew in Dar es Salaam. The demonstrations were largely linked to the pre-election exclusion of major opposition presidential candidates from the ballot and the perceived crackdown on political dissent. The ensuing unrest resulted in reported casualties and disruptions to public life.
Exclusion of Major Opposition from the Tanzania Election
The Tanzania election was held on 29 October 2025. Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (hereinafter: CCM) party was confirmed as a candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (hereinafter: INEC). The election was expected by analysts to continue the CCM’s 64-year tenure in power, with President Hassan running virtually unchallenged.
The two main opposition parties, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (hereinafter: Chadema) and ACT-Wazalendo, had their key presidential candidates barred from the contest, effectively eliminating any significant challenge.
Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, was arrested on 9 April 2025 and charged with treason following comments made at a rally in Mbinga. Lissu had urged supporters to boycott the elections if the government did not institute electoral reforms, including changing the composition of the INEC to exclude presidential appointees. Three days later, the electoral commission disqualified Chadema from the election, citing the party’s failure to sign a mandatory Electoral Code of Conduct by the 12 April deadline. The candidate for ACT-Wazalendo, Luhaga Mpina, was disqualified by INEC in September 2025 on procedural grounds related to his nomination, despite a prior ruling by the High Court in his favour.
Police Response and Reported Casualties
In Dar es Salaam and other cities, including Mbeya, Tunduma, Tanga and Mwanza, protests emerged on election day. Verified videos showed initially largely peaceful protestors. As the day progressed, however, chaos broke out in the afternoon, with protestors burning a bus and a fuel station, attacking police stations and vandalising polling centres. Police and military personnel were deployed and reportedly used tear gas and fired guns to disperse crowds. Reports from Amnesty International indicated that two individuals – a general member of the public and one police officer – died during the protests on 29 October.
In response to the unrest, police announced a curfew in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, beginning at 18:00h local time on 29 October. Inspector General of Police Camillus Wambura stated the measure followed incidents of property destruction during the protests. Protests reportedly continued late into the night and on the following day in defiance of the curfew. In the border town of Namanga, on the frontier with Kenya, several protestors were injured after police used tear gas to disperse demonstrations where bonfires had been lit on the highway. Furthermore, ferry services between the Tanzanian mainland and the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar were suspended.
Restrictions on Movement and Communication
On the morning of 30 October 2025, Tanzanian authorities took action to limit public movement. The government directed all public servants to work from home for the day, with the exception of those whose duties required their physical presence. This instruction was issued by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka, citing security concerns following the youth-led protests. Additionally, the state television channel announced that students should study from home on the same day. The government also urged private sector employers to allow staff to work remotely and advised citizens without essential reasons to travel to remain indoors.
The unrest was also accompanied by a nationwide disruption to internet service. The global monitor NetBlocks reported a disruption that corroborated reports of a digital blackout across the nation. Ahead of the election, access to the social media platform X was reportedly restricted nationwide, with full access reserved for government officials. Roadblocks manned by the Tanzanian army were established across the nation.
Political and Economic Stakes
The election unfolded against a backdrop of increasing concerns regarding democratic freedoms. Reports from Amnesty International documented that the government had intensified “repressive practices” and targeted opposition leaders, civil society activists and journalists with arrests, harassment and forced disappearances. The government has consistently denied accusations of human rights violations.
Economically, Tanzania has maintained stable growth, with inflation below the Central Bank’s target. However, the World Bank noted that 49 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line. In July 2025, the government introduced new restrictions banning foreigners from owning and operating businesses in 15 sectors, including small-scale mining and mobile money transfers. This policy proved controversial, particularly within the regional East African Community bloc, due to its impact on neighbouring citizens. Separately, the government has faced scrutiny over human-wildlife conflict management and tension with indigenous groups, with the World Bank suspending a 150$ million conservation grant following crackdowns on Maasai protestors.
Concluding Outlook
The institutional response to the electoral protests, specifically the police use of force, the military deployment, and the imposition of movement restrictions on civil servants and students, indicates a focus on restoring and maintaining public order and governmental control following the chaotic election day events. The actions taken by the government – including the curfew and the work-from-home directive – demonstrate a commitment to limiting public assembly and potential confrontation in the short term. Given the history of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, which has been in power since independence in 1961, and the pre-election exclusion of major opposition candidates, the immediate political path is likely to centre on the swift official confirmation of the election results and the continued management of dissent through state security measures. The ongoing internet disruption further concentrates the flow of information, which will be instrumental in shaping the immediate aftermath of the election.
