Human rights defenders have demanded the resignation of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and called for the establishment of a transitional government, following the banning of planned nationwide demonstrations scheduled for December 9.
Speaking on Monday, December 8, at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Nairobi, activists urged the Tanzanian government to respect citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly and ensure protection for protesters who participate in the planned procession.
The human rights defenders outlined grave allegations against the government, painting a picture of widespread violence and systematic repression.
One activist detailed the scale of alleged atrocities, stating that the situation involves approximately 4,000 deaths, thousands of injuries, and thousands more facing prosecution on fabricated charges.
He further claimed that families have been denied the dignity of burying their loved ones, with bodies being disappeared, hospitals raided, and medical personnel threatened or abducted for treating injured protesters.
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Bob Njagi, speaking on behalf of the human rights defenders, dismissed the government-established commission investigating the violence as lacking credibility and independence.
Njagi argued that creating a government-controlled commission while violence continues does not represent genuine accountability but rather serves as a mechanism to obscure the truth. He questioned the commission's commitment to independence, impartiality, and honest investigation.
“Suluhu has already predetermined its findings by branding peaceful mobilization as manufactured unrest and framing citizens as threats to national security,” Njagi stated.
The human rights defenders' statements follow the Tanzanian police's declaration on Friday that the nationwide demonstrations scheduled for December 9 would be illegal.
Police Spokesperson David Misime announced the ban, stating that authorities had not received any formal notifications from individuals or groups wishing to organize demonstrations, despite widespread social media posts calling for protests on that date.
Misime justified the prohibition by claiming that protest organizers were encouraging participants to seize property, disrupt hospital services, and remain on the streets indefinitely to paralyze economic activity.
In a related development, Tanzania's government advised citizens to remain at home during this year's Independence Day celebrations, which coincide with the planned protest date.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba issued the directive while delivering President Suluhu's holiday message, stating that only essential workers should report to their workplaces. The announcement followed Nchemba's earlier appeal for the public to avoid participating in the demonstrations.
The planned protests and subsequent government crackdown follow allegations of abuses related to Tanzania's disputed October election. Human rights activists and opposition groups have organized the demonstrations in response to these alleged violations.
