Tanzania police dismisses social media claims of unrest amid heightened security
Security presence was heightened in several cities. In Dar es Salaam, police and army personnel patrolled major streets.
The Tanzanian Government has dismissed social media claims of ongoing unrest, with the national police force stating that the country remains calm.
A public notice issued by the Police Headquarters in Dodoma on December 9, 2025, urged citizens to disregard videos and images circulating online that falsely claim demonstrations are taking place.
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"The Tanzania Police Force would like to inform the general public that, as of this afternoon (December 9, 2025), the security situation across the country is calm. The security and defence organs are continuing to strengthen security nationwide, while safeguarding the lives and property of citizens," the notice reads in part.
"The Police Force also urges members of the public to disregard circulating videos and still images on social media that claim demonstrations have begun. These reports are false."
It clarified that much of the content being circulated is outdated, including footage from October 29–31, 2025, and some from June 2025, such as Maasai community initiation ceremonies in a TANAPA forest in Arusha.
"It should also be noted that the purported “peaceful demonstrations” were prohibited effective December 5, 2025, because they did not meet the legal requirements set out in applicable laws, including the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania (1977) and the Police and Auxiliary Police Act (Chapter 322). We therefore urge all citizens to continue complying with the law for the benefit of everyone," the authorities said.
However, footage reviewed by The Eastleigh Voice showed mixed scenes. Some videos appeared to depict Tanzanians marching peacefully through the streets, while others showed deserted roads with no visible gatherings. These conflicting images highlight the difficulty of verifying claims circulating on social media.
Tanzanian asks fellow citizens not to record those participating in the December 9 protests over fear of reprisals as the country marks its 64th Independence Day.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 9, 2025
"Don't record those who are protesting - they have asked not to be posted." pic.twitter.com/Tn0VBFhneq
Security presence was heightened in several cities. In Dar es Salaam, police and army personnel patrolled major streets.
The government said any protests on Tuesday, the anniversary of mainland Tanzania's independence from Britain in 1961, would amount to a coup attempt and urged people to stay at home.
Presidential and parliamentary elections on October 29 triggered the worst political violence in Tanzania's post-independence history.
The UN has estimated that hundreds were killed. The police and army were patrolling major streets in Dar es Salaam and checking the identification of anyone seeking to move around, residents told Reuters.
They said the situation appeared calm as of late morning, although one resident and some activists on social media said small protests had begun in some parts of the city. The protests were organised to denounce the violent suppression of demonstrations around the October elections, which triggered what the UN has estimated to be the worst political violence in the country’s post-independence history.
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