Tanzania’s national police have formally banned the planned December 9, 2025, demonstrations that had been circulating widely on social media, insisting the planned protests do not meet legal requirements and pose a potential security threat.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, December 5, 2025, Tanzanian Police Spokesperson David Misime said the country’s overall security situation remains stable, and the police continue to fulfil their mandate of keeping the nation peaceful. He thanked Tanzanians for cooperating with security agencies but warned that a group of individuals had been mobilising illegal protests online.

“Ningependa kuwajulisha kuwa hali ya Usalama wa Tanzania inaendelea kuimarika siku hadi siku. Jeshi la polisi linaendelea kutimiza majukumu yake ya msingi ikiwemo kuhakikisha uwemo wa Usalama na utulivu,” Misime stated.

He added that while public calm has been maintained, security agencies have been monitoring coordinated efforts to organise what promoters have been calling peaceful and endless protests, beginning December 9, 2025.

“Kama jeshi la polisi lilivyoeleza hapo awali kwamba upo uhalifu unaoendelea kupangwa na kuhamasishwa kwenye mitandao ya kijamii… wakihamasisha kile wanachokiita maandamano ya Amani na yasiyo na kikomo kuanzia tarehe Desemba 9, 2025,” he said.

Requirements for a protest

Misime explained that under Tanzanian law, particularly the Police and Auxiliary Police Act (Cap. 322), anyone intending to organise a public procession must submit a written notice to the relevant officer. The notice must clearly outline the location, time, purpose, and any additional details required by the minister.

“Mtu yeyote ambaye ana mpango wa kufanya, kukusanya, kuunda au kupanga mkusanyiko ama maandamano ya hadhara anatakiwa kuwasilisha kwa maandishi notisi akianisha sehemu, muda, madhumuni na maelezo mengine yatakavyotangazwa,” Misime noted.

He revealed that intelligence reports show some organisers encouraging protesters to carry petrol in bottles, an action that police believe signals potential criminal intent.

“Wale wanaopanga maandamano wameongeza lingine wakihamasishana siku hio wabebe petroli kwenye chupa,” he said.

No formal notice presented

The police spokesman further emphasised that the organisers have not presented any formal notice, and many of the social media accounts pushing the mobilisation appear to originate outside Tanzania.

“Wanaohamasisha hawana anwani maalum… accounti za mitandao za nje ya nchi ya Tanzania ambapo wamiliki wake ndio wanaohamasisha maandamano hayo,” Misime stated.

He said these factors make the planned protests unlawful and rejected under Tanzanian law.

“Maandamano hayo yamekosa sifa za kisheria za kuyaruhusu kufanyika jeshi la polisi inapiga marufuku maandamano hayo yasifanyike,” he declared.

Misime urged Tanzanians to stay away from the banned protests and continue prioritising national peace.

“Watanzania wahamasishwe waepuke na hayo,” he concluded.

The police have pledged continued vigilance as the date approaches, insisting national security will be protected.