Tanzania imposes curfew in Dar es Salaam as election day turns violent
Tanzania’s authorities have imposed a citywide curfew in Dar es Salaam after violent clashes erupted between police and protesters on election day, in a vote already marked by the absence of major opposition candidates.
Hospitals in the commercial capital reported a surge of injured patients as unrest spread through parts of the city. “We have received many with gunshot and tear gas injuries,” a doctor at Muhimbili Hospital told the BBC, asking not to be named for fear of reprisal.
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The election is widely expected to hand President Samia Suluhu Hassan another term, with her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party facing only minor challengers. The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu of Chadema, is in jail on treason charges he denies, while his party has boycotted the vote.
Protesters demanding electoral reforms and greater political freedom set fire to vehicles and vandalised public infrastructure in parts of Dar es Salaam. Camelius Wambura, Tanzania’s police chief, announced a 6pm curfew, urging residents to stay indoors “for their own safety”. He gave no indication of when the restrictions would end.
Alfred Chalamila, Dar es Salaam’s Regional Commissioner, had earlier warned that the government would “take firm action” against anyone disturbing public order. Demonstrations were also reported in the southwestern city of Mbeya and in the border town of Tunduma.
“We are tired,” said one protester in Dar es Salaam. “We want an independent electoral commission so that every Tanzanian can choose the leader they want.”
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Alongside the street violence, the country experienced what observers described as an internet shutdown. Monitoring group NetBlocks called it a “nationwide digital blackout”, saying access to major social media platforms and messaging services had been cut.
Voter turnout appeared low in the early hours of polling, especially in the capital, where many residents said they were afraid to leave their homes. More than 37 million people are registered to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections, but with the opposition sidelined, the outcome is widely seen as a foregone conclusion.
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Sixteen smaller parties, none with a significant national following, are competing against Samia, who is seeking a second term. Her party, CCM, has dominated Tanzania’s political life since independence in 1961 and has never lost a national election.
The electoral commission said it expects to announce official results within three days of the polls closing.
