Photo credit: the Washington post
Tanzania’s government Friday banned political rallies ahead of planned protests against last year’s disputed election and the detention of an opposition leader.
The Associated Press reports that Internal Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi directed Police Inspector General Camillus Wambura to officially stop issuing permits for political activities across the country.
Tanzania witnessed its first-ever posteelection protests in 2025. The general election was overwhelmingly won by the ruling party after the country’s main opposition party boycotted the polls and the presidential candidate for the second-largest opposition party was barred from running.
The country’s young people have said they plan to demonstrate on July 7 to protest President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reelection and push for a new constitution.
Police have arrested people linked to the organizers of the planned protests, which have been mobilized through social media.
The youth are also calling for the release of the opposition leader Tundu LLissu, who is facing treason charges after calling for reforms before last year’s elections.
They have also called for accountability over the widespread post election violence, during which more than 500 people died.
Tanzania Law Society President Boniface Mwabukusi said the government had “no authority whatsoever to prohibit or permit meetings that are legally allowed.”
“We will convene to determine the legal measures we will take, both domestically and internationally, against anyone who attempts to enforce this unlawful and invalid directive in violation of the Constitution and the laws of the country,” Mwabukusi said.
