Suluhu Cancels Independence Day Celebrations As Youth-Led Protests Loom in Tanzania

Tanzania will forgo its 2025 Independence Day celebrations after President Samia Suluhu Hassan ordered the national budget for the December 9 event to be diverted towards repairing infrastructure destroyed during last month’s post-election unrest.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced the decision on Monday during an inspection of road repairs along the Kimara–Mbezi stretch in Dar es Salaam, saying the government could not justify holding festivities while key infrastructure lay in ruins.

Nchemba said the funds initially allocated for the national celebrations would now support emergency works on damaged roads, public buildings and essential services after violent protests swept through major cities following the disputed October 29 presidential election.

“There will be no commemorative celebrations on December 9. President Samia has directed that the funds be redirected to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure,” Nchemba said, urging ministries and agencies to immediately coordinate the reallocation of resources.

Unrest Leaves Trail of Damage

The cancellation comes amid heightened political tension and weeks of youth-driven demonstrations that paralysed Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza and Arusha.

Protesters clashed with security forces, leaving roads torn up, police stations vandalised and polling centres destroyed.

Business owners in urban hubs reported millions of shillings in losses after looting and arson incidents.

One of the worst-hit areas was the Port of Dar es Salaam, a vital gateway for cargo into East and Central Africa.

Damage to port infrastructure and temporary shutdowns forced several shipping lines to reroute vessels to Mombasa, disrupting regional trade flows and causing ripple effects across logistics chains.

The impact on the informal economy was severe.

With nearly 80 per cent of Tanzanians depending on informal trade and daily hustles, curfews, roadblocks and fear of fresh flare-ups pushed thousands out of work.

Public transport operators reported fuel shortages and sporadic attacks on buses and boda bodas, further deepening economic strain.

Nchemba urged citizens to reject violence and political manipulation and instead embrace dialogue as the country works to restore normalcy.

“Let us remain united and ensure such incidents do not recur. Political parties must engage constructively and peacefully,” he said.

Government Takes Aim at Foreign Media

The unrest has also sparked a media war, with officials accusing some international outlets of distorting events.

Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa on November 23 criticised what he termed biased coverage, singling out CNN for allegedly relying on unverified social-media footage and satellite imagery while failing to present the government’s account.

Gerson Msigwa during a past event.

“Professional journalism demands fairness. Publishing one-sided information without seeking clarity from the authorities is unacceptable,” Msigwa said, insisting that foreign outlets respect the ongoing Commission of Inquiry probing the riots.

The commission, led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande, is examining the causes of the violence, the involvement of political actors and whether any foreign sponsors may have influenced the youth-led demonstrations.

President Samia has hinted that some young people were mobilised and paid by external groups to join the protests, though details remain unclear pending the inquiry’s findings.

Protests Planned for Independence Day

The decision to cancel the annual celebrations comes amid reports that youth groups were organising fresh demonstrations on December 9, the same day Tanzania honours its independence from Britain.

While officials did not cite the planned protests directly, security sources say intelligence reports indicated high mobilisation online, prompting concern that Independence Day events could become flashpoints for renewed violence.

By halting the celebrations and redirecting the budget towards rebuilding efforts, analysts say the administration is signalling a shift towards crisis management while seeking to undercut momentum for the December 9 protests.

As the country edges towards the holiday, all eyes are now on the Commission of Inquiry and how the government balances security, political dialogue and civil liberties in the tense post-election climate.