Tanzania Lifts Curfew Following Election Violence After Protests

Wed Nov 05 2025 00:24:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the wake of deadly protests during the election period, Tanzania has lifted a curfew in Dar es Salaam, with attempts to restore normalcy amid ongoing tension and turmoil.

Following violence and unrest linked to recent elections, Tanzanian authorities lifted a curfew in Dar es Salaam, enabling shops to reopen and traffic to resume. The unrest resulted in significant casualties, with hundreds believed to have died amid clashes between security forces and opposition supporters. The internet was largely cut and major disruptions to daily life ensued, although some restrictions remain. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been inaugurated amid these challenges, with international observers disputing the legitimacy of the elections.

Tanzanian police have lifted a night-time curfew imposed since last Wednesday in the main city Dar es Salaam following deadly election protests, as life slowly returns to normal across the country.

Following the unrest, the internet was cut nationwide and most shops in Dar es Salaam closed amid acute shortages of basic essentials and soaring prices. Schools were shut and public transport came to a halt.

On Tuesday, some shops reopened and traffic resumed but with queues persisting at some petrol stations in Dar es Salaam.

Families continue to search for or bury relatives killed in the clashes between the security forces and opposition supporters who denounced the poll as a sham.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday after being declared the winner of last Wednesday's election with 98% of the vote.

Observers from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) reported that the election did not meet democratic standards, noting that two main opposition leaders were unable to contest the election due to pre-existing legal issues.

Limited internet services are being restored, yet social media remains restricted. Authorities have warned against sharing images related to the protests, further adding to the tension.

Chadema, the main opposition party, reported at least 800 deaths as a result of the unrest, while other sources indicated about 500 fatalities. The violence led to serious international concern regarding the government's response, which involved accusations of using excessive force.

Amidst the return to daily life, the ongoing search for missing persons and the mourning of those lost in the clashes represents a significant challenge for the newly sworn-in administration of President Hassan, who had previously been seen as moderating the political climate in Tanzania.