Trade paralysed as violent Tanzania election protests erupt at Namanga border
Hundreds of demonstrators, reportedly from the Tanzanian side, barricaded roads, lit bonfires, and hurled stones at buildings in the border town.
Hundreds of traders seeking to cross the border between Kenya and Tanzania are affected by the ongoing election protests staged by Tanzanians.
On Thursday, violent protests erupted at the busy Namanga border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania, paralysing movement and heightening tension along the key East African transit route.
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Traders who crossed to Kenya and Tanzania with trucks were not able to proceed following situation that was tense situation for the better part of the day.
Hundreds of demonstrators, reportedly from the Tanzanian side, barricaded roads, lit bonfires, and hurled stones at buildings in the border town.
Hundreds of demonstrators, reportedly from the Tanzanian side, barricaded roads, lit bonfires, and hurled stones at buildings in the border town. (Photo: BBC)
The protesters, angered by the controversial October 29 General Election in Tanzania, tore down campaign posters featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan and torched several others along the highway.
The angry protesters chanted pro-opposition slogans, including in support of popular opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
"Wacheni uoga. Tunataka nani? Tunataka Lissu (Never fear! Whom do we want? We want Lissu)," they were heard chanting.
Many could be seen waving branches, whistling, and calling on others to join what they described as a pro-democracy movement.
The demonstrations disrupted cross-border trade and travel at the one-stop border facility, a critical regional hub linking the two countries serving the wider East African market.
Cargo trucks, passenger buses, and private vehicles were left stranded for hours as authorities tightened access on both sides of the border.
Kenyan officials at the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) are said to have even temporarily suspended clearance operations as businesses in Namanga town abruptly shut down amid uncertainty and heavy security deployment.
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