Tanzania Crackdown on Scheduled Demonstration Leaves City Centers Deserted.
Security has been tightened throughout the country with police and military seen patrolling key urban areas ahead of anticipated demonstrations against the government scheduled for independence day.
Midday arrived without any sign of the planned demonstrations.
Residents in several major urban centers noted the day began with unusual quietness, with a large number opting to stay home due to doubts about whether protests would happen.
The protests were organized to call for changes to the political system in the wake of October's post-election unrest which left an unknown number of people dead.
Authorities Admit Employing Force
The authorities have admitted employing force against demonstrators, claiming that certain elements aimed to topple the government.
Correspondents noted on Tuesday streets that were largely deserted in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. This stood in sharp contrast to the city's typical weekday activity.
The quiet was undercut by a persistent sense of tension.
Increased Police Presence Nationwide
Security vehicles were seen driving along major roads and intersections, while officers took up positions at key points, including around key public infrastructure.
On social media, activists and campaigners urged followers to remain vigilant, suggesting any demonstrations were unlikely to begin until the afternoon. The messaging echoed previous protest calls in Tanzania, when turnout increased later in the day.
Drivers who went out experienced frequent checks at roadblocks, where officers questioned drivers about their destinations.
Official Position and Bans
The government has not issued specific statements on the increased security or on the planned protests.
Tanzanian authorities have banned the planned protests and called off independence anniversary events, urging citizens to stay indoors.
"An eerie quiet masks the underlying tension felt by those indoors."
The day's events painted a picture of a country under strain, where the potential for demonstration resulted in a security clampdown in advance that left conspicuously quiet normally bustling cities.
