As violent demonstrations continue to spread throughout Tanzania after Tuesday’s disputed general elections, some famous people from the nation have been caught in between.
The turmoil, which seems to be aimed at those who are seen to be pro-government, has damaged companies and made prominent personalities rush to distance themselves from politics.
One of the first people to die was famous singer Shilole, whose renowned eatery Shishi Foods was burnt down in the commotion.
Billnas’s electronics business was also destroyed, and an Instagram influencer’s apparel store was smashed into by unknown teens who stole items.
Some famous people have also had to stop talking or change the way they talk about their politics because of the circumstances.
Mwijaku, a well-known media figure who had previously shown interest in running for office but then changed his mind, erased many social media postings that linked him to the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Roma Mkatoliki, a rapper renowned for his angry lyrics against the government, said on X (previously Twitter) that his fundraising accounts had been suspended.
His most recent song, “Teremsha Bunduki,” is popular online; fans love it, but officials don’t like how it sounds rebellious.
Roma, who has long been seen as one of the few artists prepared to stand up to the establishment, said the assaults on celebrities indicate “a country at war with its conscience.”
The tensions became worse when Tanzanian authorities put a curfew in place in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. This happened after violent protests over an election that most people thought would give President Samia Suluhu Hassan another term.
The demonstrations were sparked by the exclusion of two important opposition candidates, which supporters of the opposition dubbed “an attack on democracy”.
There are videos on social media showing teenage demonstrators throwing rocks at police officers, burning tires, and setting a gas station on fire.
Digital rights group NetBlocks said that internet access was being limited all around the nation and that officials seemed to be limiting online communication as the crisis became worse.
By Thursday morning, police patrols in several parts of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma had been stepped up, and security personnel were telling people to be calm.