Tanzania closes institutions today after elections described as chaotic news

Tanzanian authorities told government employees and students to stay home on Thursday, a day after a general election marred by violent protests that prompted police to impose a curfew in the economic capital Dar es Salaam.

Protesters took to the streets in Dar es Salaam and other cities, angry at the exclusion of President Samia Hassan’s most prominent rival from the presidential race, and at the escalation of what they described as increasing repression of critics.

Clashes broke out between protesters and police, a local government office was set on fire, and the country experienced an internet outage.

A statement was posted on the Instagram account of government spokesman Gerson Msigwa, saying, “All government employees must work from home, except for those whose duties require them to come to their workplaces in accordance with the directives of their authorities.”

The official television channel also announced that students will continue studying from home on Thursday.

Msegwa did not respond to calls or text messages seeking further information.

On Thursday morning, the streets of Dar es Salaam appeared calm as residents left the curfew, amid heavy security deployment.

But on the Zillow app, which turns a phone into a walkie-talkie, some protesters discussed plans to continue demonstrating, including marching toward government buildings.

The main opposition party, Chadema, had called for protests during the elections, describing them as a “coronation” for President Samia Hassan.

Chadema was excluded from elections in April after refusing to sign a code of conduct, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason.

The candidate of the opposition party ECT-Wazalindo was also excluded, leaving the field for President Samia to face small parties.

Samia Hassan, one of only two female heads of state in Africa, won praise after assuming power in 2021 for easing restrictions on dissent and freedom of expression that were prevalent under her predecessor, John Magufuli.

But in recent years, human rights activists and opponents have accused the government of mysterious disappearances of its critics.

Last year, Hassan announced the opening of an investigation into these reports, but no official results have been published yet.