Tanzania’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Jacob John Mkunda, has issued a stern warning to anti-government protesters, cautioning against continued acts of lawlessness following Wednesday’s contentious general election.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam, General Mkunda said the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) would not stand idle as groups of demonstrators take to the streets, contesting the legitimacy of the ongoing electoral process.
He emphasised that the military, in coordination with police and other security agencies, is prepared to act “within the confines of the law” to restore order should unrest persist.
The warning comes amid rising public dissatisfaction and sporadic demonstrations across major cities including Dodoma, Arusha and Mwanza, where opposition supporters have denounced what they allege to be widespread electoral irregularities.
Authorities have moved swiftly to suppress the protests, citing threats to national stability. Several activists and political organisers have reportedly been detained since the close of polls, while the government insists that the elections were conducted peacefully and transparently.
Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has maintained an unbroken grip on power since independence, is expected to retain its dominance. However, the opposition Chadema Party has rejected early tallies, claiming manipulation of vote counts in several regions.
Gunfire was heard in the northern city of Mwanza, while clashes broke out in the capital, Dodoma, and the main city Dar es Salaam, which is under heavy security with major roads blocked.
Kenya has warned its citizens not to join protests at the border town of Namanga, where businesses were paralysed.
