Tanzania Security Clampdown on Planned Demonstration Results in Streets Unusually Quiet.
A significant security presence has been deployed throughout the country with police and military seen patrolling key urban areas in anticipation of expected anti-government protests called to coincide with independence day.
Midday arrived without any sign of the planned demonstrations.
People living in several major urban centers reported an unusually slow start to the day, with a large number opting to stay home amid uncertainty over if the demonstrations would proceed.
The demonstrations were called to call for political reforms in the wake of the unrest that followed last October's elections which left an unknown number of people dead.
Authorities Admit Use of Force
The authorities have admitted employing force against demonstrators, claiming that certain elements aimed to topple the government.
On Tuesday, reporters observed nearly empty streets in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. This was a stark contrast to the city's typical weekday activity.
While quiet, a palpable tension filled the air.
Heightened Security Nationwide
Armored vehicles were spotted cruising along primary thoroughfares and junctions, while officers took up positions at key points, particularly near important public buildings and facilities.
Through online platforms, organizers advised supporters to stay alert, 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.
Motorists who ventured out reported regular stops at security checkpoints, where police interrogated motorists about where they were headed.
Official Position and Bans
The government has not issued specific statements on the increased security or on the scheduled demonstrations.
Tanzanian authorities have banned the intended demonstrations and called off independence anniversary events, advising the public to remain at home.
"The prevailing mood is one of quiet tension as people choose to stay home."
The day's events depicted a country under strain, where the potential for demonstration led to a security clampdown in advance that left conspicuously quiet normally bustling cities.
