The Government of Tanzania has directed all public servants to work from home on Thursday, October 30, 2025, amid fears that anti-election protests could intensify across major cities.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa announced the directive on Instagram, citing a security order issued by the police for residents of Dar es Salaam, where demonstrations have continued since Election Day.
“These extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” Msigwa wrote, adding that all government employees are to work remotely, except for those whose duties require physical presence , as determined by their supervisors. The statement further urged private-sector employers to follow suit to ensure public safety.
The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania has also advised its staff and citizens to stay indoors and limit movement to essential activities only. In a notice released Wednesday evening, the embassy said operations on Thursday would be restricted to emergency and core services.
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Wednesday, October 29, was Election Day in Tanzania, when citizens voted for the president, members of parliament, and regional representatives. However, for the first time in the country’s modern history, the day was marred by violent protests in several towns, primarily led by young people demanding free and fair elections.
In Dar es Salaam, major roads were blocked, shops vandalized, and fires lit across key intersections, including one near a police station. Reports indicate that two people, a civilian and a police officer, were killed, while several others were injured.
Medical sources at Muhimbili National Hospital confirmed they had received multiple casualties from the unrest.
The human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on Tanzanian authorities to launch an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by police officers.
Meanwhile, local businesses say they have suffered massive losses due to the unrest and the government’s decision to restrict internet access.
Entrepreneur Paul Boniface expressed frustration on social media, writing, “Shutting down the internet is like shutting down our economy. Online business is our lifeline.”
The protests have left destruction across several neighbourhoods , including Kimara, Magomeni, Ubungo, Kinondoni, Shekilango,and Tandale, where government offices, shops, and even part of the TAKUKURU (Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau) building were reportedly damaged.
On the island of Zanzibar, vote counting continues peacefully, although uncertainty and tension remain high across the mainland.
As of Thursday morning, internet connectivity across Tanzania remains largely shut down, further fueling speculation and frustration among citizens calling for transparency in the release of election results.
What is unfolding in Tanzania reflects a deeper struggle for democratic accountability across Africa. When citizens lose faith in the electoral process, the government’s first duty should be to listen, not to silence. Internet blackouts and emergency decrees may suppress voices temporarily, but they do not restore legitimacy.
Tanzania now stands at a crossroads: either embrace the courage to uphold transparency and dialogue, or risk sliding into a cycle of mistrust and repression. The people’s voices, not bullets, should define the nation’s political future.
