Tanzania Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillus Wambura./FILE
Tanzanian authorities are claiming that foreigners in major towns are plotting a fresh round of protests, just a day after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of last week’s general election.
In a statement seen by the Star, police said intelligence reports indicate that hundreds of foreigners, allegedly ferried into the country on boda bodas, entered Tanzania illegally with the intent to stage demonstrations and cause chaos.
“Tanzania Police have received information that a group of foreign nationals are in the country with the aim of committing crimes, including creating chaos. These people are purporting to do several jobs, including operating boda bodas,” the police spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the statement, the foreigners are reportedly operating in the provinces of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, Songwe, and other regions.
“As police follow up on these reports with a view to taking action in line with our laws, any citizen hosting a foreigner whose work is unknown or whose activities appear suspicious is asked to provide information to government officers,” the statement added.
Authorities have also warned that Tanzanians, including business entities found harbouring the foreigners, will be arrested and prosecuted in court.
However, the police did not disclose the nationalities of the individuals allegedly planning to destabilise the country.
The warning comes barely a day after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared victorious in a hotly contested election that international observers and opposition groups have described as neither free nor fair.
Samia, who assumed power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, reportedly secured 98 per cent of the votes cast, according to the country’s electoral commission.
However, the credibility of the poll has been questioned amid reports of widespread irregularities. Several polling stations were disrupted by protests, with some voters captured on camera storming stations and destroying election materials.
Observers reported low voter turnout across many regions, attributing it to fears of violence and alleged restrictions on communication. During the voting period, authorities were accused of deliberately switching off the internet and restricting social media access in an attempt to control the spread of information and suppress dissent.
Local media outlets have also reported multiple fatalities during the unrest, with some sources estimating up to 700 deaths across the country during three days of post-election violence. However, the government has yet to release an official death toll.
Meanwhile, opposition groups have continued to dispute the results, calling for fresh elections under international supervision. Human rights organisations have urged Tanzanian authorities to restore calm, respect civil liberties, and ensure transparency in post-election processes.
As the government tightens security, citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, especially involving foreigners.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation amid growing fears that the post-election tensions could escalate into further violence if not addressed promptly.
