- The Tanzanian government dismissed reports of unrest in Dar es Salaam, describing the city as peaceful despite army deployment and an internet blackout
- Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo said nighttime restrictions were aimed at maintaining order, while daytime activities continued normally
- Conflicting casualty reports emerged, with the UN citing 10 deaths and opposition CHADEMA claiming up to 700
- Kombo maintained that the 2025 elections were free and fair, noting that no major candidates were excluded
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The Tanzanian government has dismissed reports of widespread unrest in Dar es Salaam following the 2025 General Elections.
Source: Twitter
The government described the situation as very peaceful, despite viral videos and reports of violence and an internet blackout that restricted communication in the country.
Are there protests in Dar es Salaam?
Following unrest, the Tanzanian army was deployed in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, October 29, to help with the security situation.
However, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo insisted the city is calm despite reports of sustained protests and tension in the East African nation’s largest city.
During an interview with BBC Africa, the Cabinet minister explained the restrictions were in place to ensure normalcy is restored, revealing he was out for a stroll.
“Dar es Salaam is very, very peaceful. I’ve been around today a lot. The restrictions is between 6pm in the evening to 6am in the morning, and that restriction is you have to have a reason when you go out in order to maintain the peace in the country. But during the day, everybody is free to continue with their own work,” he stated.
Kombo further addressed concerns over the internet shutdown, which critics said limited the verification of events unfolding across the country.
He said the measure was necessary to prevent what he termed as “havoc among small groups of vandalists” who were allegedly using online platforms to coordinate disruptive activities.
The minister claimed that alternative communication channels were provided to international and local observers to ensure election monitoring continued smoothly.
Were Tanzania elections free and fair?
When pressed about reports of deaths and injuries, Kombo said official figures were still being compiled.
“At the moment, nobody can state how many were injured, how many suffered, or how many properties were burned. We are continuing to receive reports of vandalised properties, private properties, border posts, police posts, and cars belonging to TANESCO, our electricity supply company. Once all data is collected, accurate figures will be released,” he explained.
The conflicting casualty numbers have drawn scrutiny, with the UN reporting 10 deaths, while the opposition party CHADEMA claims up to 700 people may have died.
Source: Twitter
Kombo urged patience, saying just as the international community, he was reading about the figures, calling on all concerned to await the authorised information.
Despite concerns being raised about the fairness of the 2025 polls, Kombo maintained that it met the threshold of a free and fair process.
He claimed that no candidates were unfairly excluded from the race, claiming that most dropped out of the race voluntarily by failing to sign the required code of conduct.
“No major candidate was excluded. The candidate who excluded themselves is by not signing the code of conduct for participating in the election, and this is as per the law. I, as a minister, also had to sign that code of conduct. It’s called fomu ya madili. If you don’t sign that, you cannot become a minister,” Kombo explained.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
