The Tanzanian Crackdown on Scheduled Protest Results in Streets Deserted.
Security has been tightened across Tanzania with police and military seen patrolling key urban areas ahead of expected anti-government protests called to coincide with the nation's independence anniversary.
As of noon, however, no protests had materialized.
People living in several major urban centers reported an unusually slow start to the day, with many people choosing to remain indoors amid uncertainty over if the demonstrations would proceed.
The demonstrations were called to call for political reforms following the unrest that followed last October's elections which left an unknown number of people dead.
Authorities Admit Use of Force
Officials have conceded using force against protesters, claiming that some groups were attempting to overthrow the regime.
On Tuesday, reporters observed streets that were largely deserted in the business hub, Dar es Salaam. This was a stark contrast to the city's usual weekday bustle.
The quiet was undercut by a persistent sense of tension.
Increased Police Presence Nationwide
Security vehicles were seen driving along primary thoroughfares and junctions, while personnel were stationed at key points, including around important public buildings and facilities.
Through online platforms, organizers advised supporters to stay alert, implying that any protest activity would likely commence later in the day. The messaging echoed previous protest calls in Tanzania, when participation grew as the day progressed.
Drivers who went out experienced frequent checks at roadblocks, where police interrogated motorists about where they were headed.
Official Position and Bans
The government has not issued specific statements on the heightened security measures or on the planned protests.
Tanzanian authorities have banned the intended demonstrations and cancelled independence day celebrations, advising the public to remain at home.
"An eerie quiet masks the underlying tension felt by those indoors."
The day's events depicted a nation on edge, where the potential for demonstration resulted in a security clampdown in advance that left conspicuously quiet normally bustling cities.
