Tanzania’s government has taken the unusual step of canceling its upcoming Independence Day celebrations, redirecting funds originally earmarked for the festivities to repair public infrastructure battered during recent unrest. The move, announced by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, comes amid a tense political climate following the country’s disputed presidential election on October 29, 2025. Originally set for December 9, the national holiday was expected to be a flashpoint, as opposition groups and civil society leaders had called on citizens to use the day to protest what they describe as deadly violence and a “mockery of democracy.”
According to BBC and StratNews Global, the government’s decision is a direct response to both the calls for protest and the damage sustained during post-election disturbances. Instead of parades and official ceremonies, the money will go toward rebuilding roads, schools, and other public services that bore the brunt of the chaos. Prime Minister Nchemba, in his address to the nation, urged unity and dialogue: “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.”
The backdrop to this decision is a country still grappling with the fallout of a fiercely contested election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female head of state, was declared the winner by a staggering 98% of the vote. Opposition leaders, however, quickly denounced the result as illegitimate. Several of President Samia’s main rivals were unable to participate in the poll—Tundu Lissu, a prominent opposition figure, remains detained on treason charges he denies, while Luhaga Mpina was barred from running after his candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.
Election observers, both international and domestic, raised red flags over the process. Reports from these groups, as cited by BBC, indicated widespread irregularities and a voting environment that fell far short of accepted democratic standards. The opposition and their supporters claim that the government’s crackdown on post-election protests was brutal, with allegations that hundreds of people were killed as security forces used lethal force to disperse demonstrators. The government, for its part, has not confirmed any official death toll, sparking criticism and demands for transparency from rights groups and political observers.
Amid mounting pressure, authorities established a commission of inquiry to investigate the violence. Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa stated on November 23 that this body would “shed light” on the events surrounding the protests. However, civil society organizations and advocacy groups have voiced concerns about the commission’s independence and impartiality, questioning whether it will truly hold those responsible to account.
The unrest was not limited to the streets. On election day, the government imposed a five-day internet blackout, effectively cutting off the country from the outside world and warning citizens against sharing images or videos of the protests on social media platforms. Despite these efforts, graphic images and footage—purportedly showing the bodies of protesters—circulated widely online. International media organizations, including Reuters and BBC, verified some of the content as genuine. The government, however, criticized this coverage as an attempt to tarnish Tanzania’s image, insisting that the country remains safe and stable.
The international community has taken notice. An international coalition of lawyers and human rights groups has submitted an 82-page document to the International Criminal Court (ICC), formally requesting an investigation into President Samia and her government for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the unrest. The submission, made public on November 25, details accusations of mass killings and the secret disposal of more than 500 bodies. Whether the ICC will open a formal investigation remains to be seen, but the move marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny facing Tanzania’s leadership.
Domestically, the government responded to the unrest with mass arrests. At least 240 individuals were charged with treason in connection to the protests. In a bid to ease political tensions, President Samia later urged prosecutors to exercise leniency—a call that appears to have been heeded, as many of those charged have since been released. Still, the arrests and the government’s heavy-handed response have only deepened concerns about shrinking democratic space and the erosion of civil liberties.
President Samia’s rise to power in 2021, following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, was initially greeted with cautious optimism. She was praised for easing some political restrictions and opening up civic space. However, critics now argue that the environment has once again tightened, pointing to recent arrests, restrictions on opposition activity, and limits on freedom of expression as evidence of a return to repression.
As the dust settles, the country faces a crossroads. The cancellation of Independence Day celebrations is both a symbolic and practical response to a period of turmoil. Prime Minister Nchemba’s appeal for dialogue and restraint is an acknowledgment of the deep divisions that persist. Whether this moment will lead to genuine reconciliation or further entrenchment of opposing camps remains an open question.
For many Tanzanians, the events of the past month have shaken their faith in the country’s institutions. The opposition’s claims of hundreds killed, the government’s refusal to release an official death toll, and the specter of international legal action have all contributed to a sense of uncertainty. The commission of inquiry’s findings, when released, will be closely watched both at home and abroad.
In the meantime, the government’s efforts to repair damaged infrastructure serve as a reminder of the very real costs of political unrest. Roads, schools, and hospitals—already under strain—must now be rebuilt, even as the wounds of recent violence remain fresh. The decision to forego national celebrations in favor of reconstruction is, in many ways, a pragmatic one. But it is also a sign of a nation in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of a crisis that has yet to fully resolve.
As Tanzania moves forward, the choices made by its leaders—and the resilience of its people—will determine whether the country can heal and rebuild, or whether the scars of this tumultuous period will linger for years to come.
