Unrest in Tanzania has intensified after protesters set fire to a police station in one of the country’s regional towns, signalling a dangerous escalation in the ongoing wave of anti-government demonstrations.
According to local authorities, security forces were deployed to contain the blaze and disperse crowds after the incident, which occurred late Wednesday. Officials have confirmed that no casualties were immediately reported, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
The protests, which began earlier this week, have spread across several regions, fuelled by growing public frustration over economic hardship, political restrictions, and what demonstrators describe as the government’s tightening grip on freedom of expression. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as police fired tear gas and made several arrests in an attempt to restore order.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Ministry of Home Affairs urged citizens to remain calm, warning that law enforcement would not hesitate to act against “any individuals involved in acts of violence or destruction of public property.”
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Human rights observers, however, have called for restraint, expressing concern that the government’s heavy-handed response could further inflame tensions. “Tanzania is walking a delicate line between maintaining order and respecting civil liberties,” one regional analyst noted.
As the country grapples with the growing unrest, communication blackouts and internet disruptions have also been reported in some areas, making it difficult to verify reports or share information on the ground.
For now, the charred remains of the police station stand as a stark symbol of a nation in turmoil, one struggling to balance authority, dissent, and the demand for democratic space.
