The Tanzanian government has announced the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day celebrations, scheduled for December 9, in an unprecedented move linked to widespread public protests over the recent election results.
Prime Minister Mgogolo Nchemba stated that the funds allocated for the celebrations will instead be directed toward repairing infrastructure damaged during post-election unrest.
The decision comes as opposition parties reject the results that gave President Samia Suluhu Hassan a 98% victory, describing the election as “fabricated.” Key opposition figures had been sidelined — one imprisoned and another barred from running.
The country witnessed extensive protests that were forcibly suppressed by authorities. The opposition claims that hundreds were killed during the demonstrations, though the government has not released any official casualty figures.
