Fears of new clashes as police in Tanzania outlaw Independence Day protests

Police in Tanzania have announced that any protests during next week’s Independence Day would be illegal. The news is raising concerns of further clashes after last month’s post-election violence.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s victory in the October presidential vote triggered protests across the country after her main rivals were disqualified. Hundreds of people were killed, opposition parties and international rights organizations say, and thousands more arrested.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner on Friday reminded Tanzanian authorities of “their obligation to ensure the rights to peaceful assembly.” He also urged security forces to “refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”

Police say that the organizers of the 9 December protests are inciting participants to seize property, disrupt hospital services and block the streets in order to paralyse economic activity.

The United States said on Thursday that it is reviewing its relationship with Tanzania over concerns about religious freedom, freedom of expression, barriers to US investment and violence against civilians.