Tanzania Crackdown on Scheduled Demonstration Results in City Centers Unusually Quiet.
A significant security presence has been deployed throughout the country with police and military seen patrolling major cities in anticipation of anticipated demonstrations against the government scheduled for independence day.
As of noon, however, no protests had materialized.
Residents in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza reported an unusually slow start to the day, with many people choosing to remain indoors due to doubts about whether protests would happen.
The demonstrations were called to demand political reforms following October's post-election unrest which left an unknown number of people dead.
Authorities Admit Use of Force
The authorities have admitted using force against protesters, 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.
Heightened Security Nationwide
Security vehicles were seen driving along primary thoroughfares and junctions, while officers took up positions at strategic locations, including around 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 participation grew as the day progressed.
Drivers who went out experienced regular stops at security checkpoints, where officers questioned drivers about their destinations.
Official Position and Bans
Authorities have not provided specific statements on the heightened security measures or on the planned protests.
The government has prohibited 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 overall situation painted a picture of a country under strain, where the threat of protest resulted in a security clampdown in advance that left conspicuously quiet normally bustling urban centers.
