Tanzania arrests 130 people as government cracks down on dissent

Protesters plan the rally for democratic reforms and justice over election violence

A lone motorcyclist rides on a deserted street during the 64th Independence Day under a lockdown imposed by the government to counter planned anti-government protests against deadly violence during demonstrations around the October elections, in Dar e A lone motorcyclist rides on a deserted street during the 64th Independence Day under a lockdown imposed by the government to counter planned anti-government protests against deadly violence during demonstrations around the October elections, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Dec 9, 2025. REUTERS/Emmanuel Herman/File Photos Salaam, Tanzania, Dec 9, 2025. REUTERS/Emmanuel Herman/File Photo

Tanzanian police have arrested 130 people for "inciting criminal acts", they said on Thursday, as part of efforts to contain dissent after a ban on all political rallies.

● Police said in a statement that they were working to track down other suspects.

● Before the ban on rallies, announced by the interior minister on Jun 26, protesters had planned to gather on the Jul 7 public holiday to call for democratic reforms and justice for people killed in election violence last year.

● Heavy security deployments prevented the protests from happening.

● A government-appointed commission of enquiry said in April that at least 518 people were killed in the election violence, which was driven by the exclusion of leading opposition candidates.

● Tanzanian authorities have denied allegations by human rights groups that the security services used excessive force during the election unrest.