Tanzania’s Suluhu Cancels Independence Day Celebrations Amid Fresh Protest Calls
Tanzania has canceled its annual Independence Day celebrations, which were scheduled for December 9, following post-election turmoil in the region.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced the decision on Monday, November 24.
Nchemba reported that President Samia Suluhu had instead decided that the cash intended for the celebrations be redirected toward addressing Tanzania’s economic downturn over the last three weeks.
“The president has directed that on December 9, there will be no celebrations for Independence,” Nchemba stated.
“The responsible sectors, including the implementing agencies and the coordinator, must ensure that all the funds are properly allocated.”
Adding, “The President has reiterated that all damaged infrastructure must be repaired.”
The Tanzanian Government has announced that it will not celebrate the December 9th Independence Day as planned. Instead, all the funds allocated for the celebrations will be redirected towards repairing damaged infrastructure. Notably, Tanzanian youths have planned to hold… pic.twitter.com/4zvHZzDd9r
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) November 24, 2025
Protests erupted in numerous major cities in Tanzania following the October 29 votes, with protestors engaging police in running battles, some of which resulted in fatalities.
During the protests, angry adolescents set fire to and destroyed a variety of public and private structures, including police stations and polling places.
One of the most devastated pieces of infrastructure was the Port of Dar es Salaam, a critical regional economic hub that experienced difficulties as numerous shipping lines were rerouted to Mombasa.
The decision to redirect funding from festivities to rebuilding the nation appears to be prompted by the negative economic impact of the upheaval.
According to Netblocks, the internet blackout cost the country over Ksh30 billion (USD 238 million) in just a few hours.
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Furthermore, the informal economy, which employs 80% of Tanzania’s population, suffered as traders were unable to travel due to security worries.
In his speech, Prime Minister Nchemba advised Tanzanians against further instability and urged the opposition to engage in discussion.
He added, “I want to ask you Tanzanians, let us move in the right direction. All political parties, let us move in unity and agree that such incidents should never happen again.”
In addition, the cancelation of the December 9 celebrations was prompted by concerns expressed on social media, which predicted that a ‘mother of all demonstrations’ would interrupt the festivities.
Tanzania’s Suluhu Cancels Independence Day Celebrations Amid Fresh Protest Calls
