President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a strong public appeal to all Tanzanians to remain indoors tomorrow, December 9, during the country’s 64th Independence Day celebrations, citing credible intelligence of planned nationwide protests that could turn violent.
In a live address broadcast on TBC1 and all major radio stations at 8pm tonight, the Head of State spoke in a calm but firm tone rarely heard from her before.
“Nawaonya, tarehe tisa kaeni nyumbani mpumzike, msitoke nyumbani. Mtu asitoke hata kuenda kazini kama sio lazima,usije ukamaliziwa” she said, directly urging citizens to treat the day as a complete stay-at-home rest day unless their work is absolutely essential.
President Samia revealed that security organs have intercepted messages from groups coordinating demonstrations under the banner #TanzaniaHaijakomboa in at least 18 regions, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya and Zanzibar. The groups accuse the government of failing to deliver on promises of constitutional reform, lower living costs and free elections ahead of the 2025 polls.
“I know some of our young people are angry and have genuine concerns. I hear you. But tomorrow is Uhuru Day, a day we honour Mwalimu Nyerere and all who fought for this flag. Do not let outsiders use you to spill blood on such a sacred day,” she pleaded.
The President announced that all public Uhuru celebrations outside State House in Dar es Salaam have been cancelled.
The traditional military parade, torch lighting at Uhuru Stadium and fireworks displays in regional headquarters will not take place. Only a small official ceremony attended by diplomats and selected guests will be held inside the heavily guarded State House grounds.
Security has been visibly stepped up across the country. Armoured vehicles were seen patrolling Kariakoo, Posta and Mburahati in Dar es Salaam from dawn today.
Ferry services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar have been reduced to essential cargo only, while long-distance bus bookings for December 9 were automatically cancelled by operators following police directives.
In Zanzibar, President Hussein Mwinyi echoed Samia’s message in a separate address, declaring the day a public holiday for rest and reflection. Stone Town residents reported roadblocks at major entry points and drones hovering over sensitive areas throughout Monday evening.
Opposition leader Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA dismisses the warnings as intimidation. “The president is afraid her own people will tell her the truth to her face on Uhuru Day. Staying home is surrendering our freedom twice,” he said.
Business associations in Dar es Salaam have asked members to close shops voluntarily tomorrow, with many supermarkets and fuel stations already displaying “Closed on 9/12” signs. Mobile money agents in several wards reported receiving SMS alerts from their networks advising zero outdoor transactions on Tuesday.
Analysts say President Samia is walking a delicate line between projecting strength and avoiding the kind of violent crackdown that damaged her predecessor’s reputation.
Political science lecturer Dr Aikande Kwayu from the University of Dar es Salaam told reporters the speech was carefully crafted to isolate hardcore protesters from ordinary citizens who simply want a peaceful holiday.
As Tanzanians prepare for an unusually quiet Uhuru Day, markets closed early tonight and families stocked up on food and water. For the first time in decades, the streets of Dar es Salaam are expected to fall completely silent at the moment the clock strikes midnight, with every citizen left to decide whether tomorrow will be a day of rest or a day of reckoning.
