Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has urged all non-essential workers to stay at home ahead of nationwide protests scheduled for December 9, coinciding with Independence Day.
In a media briefing on Monday, December 8, government spokesperson Mussa Azzan Zungu, representing Suluhu, stated that only essential workers should report to their workplaces as directed by their supervisors.
“The government also urges all citizens without urgent work obligations on December 9, 2025, to observe the day at home. Those whose responsibilities require them to be present at their workplaces should follow their supervisors’ directives,” Zungu said.
Suluhu Urges Non-Essential Workers to Remain at Home
At the same time, the spokesperson conveyed President Suluhu’s greetings to citizens as the country celebrated Independence Day, which is annually observed on December 9.
“Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan wishes to extend her greetings to all citizens on the occasion of Tanzania Mainland’s Independence Day,” he stated.
Suluhu’s response comes amid nationwide protests demanding accountability for post-election violence and calling for political reforms. These protests were organized following a disputed general election in October 2025.
Protesters are seeking justice and aiming to honor the memory of hundreds reportedly killed by security forces during a violent crackdown on post-election demonstrations on October 29. The unrest has led to the reported deaths of hundreds and the detention of over 2,000 individuals by security forces.
The United Nations has issued demands to the Suluhu-led government ahead of the planned protests.
Also Read: Suluhu’s Govt Issued With Demands Ahead of December 9 Protests
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Seif Magango, on December 8, stressed the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms, including the rights to expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Magango also requested the police to protect peaceful protesters during the demonstrations.
“We remind security forces that they must refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions. We reiterate the requirements of international law: if unavoidable, any use of force, including less lethal weapons, must be restricted to the minimum extent necessary,” stated Magango.
European Countries Issue Joint Statement Regarding Post-Election Protests in Tanzania
The UN’s demands include the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained and a government investigation into the post-election violence that fully adheres to international standards of independence.
Earlier, a coalition of 17 diplomatic missions, including the European Union (EU) delegation and several European countries, issued a joint statement on December 5, 2025, urging the Tanzanian government to address the violence and human rights abuses that followed the disputed October 29 general elections.
Also Read: Tanzania Placed Under Probation as Commonwealth Sets New Conditions for Suluhu
They called for the release of all bodies of deceased protesters to their families, the freeing of all political prisoners, and the provision of legal and medical support to detainees.
However, during an address to elders in Dar es Salaam on December 2, 2025, Suluhu contended that the events of October 29 were not spontaneous protests but a “manufactured event” with a political agenda.
She stressed that the chaos was meticulously planned, funded, and coordinated by actors both inside and outside the country.
She defended the security forces’ forceful response by asserting that the government could not “sit by and watch” a plot to overthrow the state.
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