The Tanzanian government has announced the temporary suspension of all public political party gathering nationwide, regardless of party affiliation, citing the need to safeguard public security amid reports of planned protests and rising criminal activity. Speaking in Parliament in Dodoma on 26 June 2026, Minister of Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi said he had directed Inspector General of Police, Camillus Wambura to stop issuing permits for political gathering until further notice. Katambi said the decision was made after the government concluded that growing political tensions had contributed to public anxiety, alongside reports of planned demonstrations leading up to the 50th International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), which culminates on 7 July 206. He also instructed the police to intensify surveillance of locations considered security risks and to take legal action where necessary, including temporarily closing premises found to be facilitating activities that threaten public safety. On 28 June 2026, security was noticeably heightened across several parts of Dar es Salaam, with an increased police presence in various areas compared to recent days.
In recent weeks, calls have circulated on social media for nationwide protests on 7 July 2026. Citizens say the demonstrations are intended to demand answers over the disappearance of relatives and friends after and during protests and killings linked to the 29 October 2025, general election. They are also calling for political leadership reforms, the adoption of a new constitution, and the release of opposition politician Tundu Lissu. Opposition politicians have criticized the government’s decision. CHADEMA veteran Joseph Selasini wrote on X that it is “a shame for a party with experienced leaders to fail to respond to public concerns,” adding that the next step could involve arrests and questioning of leaders, though he did not specify who. ACT Wazalendo also strongly rejected the directive, calling it unlawful and a violation of Article 20(1) of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act. The party argued that these laws guarantee registered political parties the right to hold political meetings and engage with the public freely.
The announcement comes nearly three years after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban on political gathering in January 2023. The ban had been in place for more than six years under the late President John Magufuli. At the time, opposition leaders welcomed the decision cautiously, warning that the restrictions could be reinstated at any time.