Tanzania has announced that this year’s Independence Day celebrations, scheduled for December 9, 2025, will not take place. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said the funds originally set aside for the national celebrations will instead be used to repair infrastructure damaged during the post-election riots on October 29, 2025.

“On 9 December, there will be no commemorative celebrations. President Samia has directed that the funds be redirected towards repairing damaged infrastructure,” Nchemba said on Monday while visiting road maintenance sites along the Kimara-Mbezi route in Dar es Salaam.

He urged the relevant government sectors to act immediately, coordinating the reallocation of all resources initially intended for the festivities.

The cancellation follows weeks of unrest that erupted after the October 29, 2025, presidential election. Protests erupted in major cities, including Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, leaving roads, public buildings, and other infrastructure damaged. Reports indicate that several police stations and polling centres were vandalised, and commercial facilities suffered significant losses.

One of the most affected sites was the Port of Dar es Salaam, a key regional trade hub. The disruption forced some shipping lines to redirect operations to Mombasa, affecting trade and logistics in East Africa.

The informal economy, which supports about 80 per cent of the population, was particularly affected. Traders struggled to operate due to security concerns, while transportation and supply chains were disrupted.

Prime Minister Nchemba appealed to Tanzanians to avoid future unrest and emphasised the importance of political dialogue.

“Let us move in unity and ensure such incidents never happen again. Political parties must engage constructively and peacefully,” he said.

Media coverage draws criticism

The government also reacted to international media coverage of the unrest. On November 23, 2025, government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa criticised outlets, particularly CNN, for what he described as biased reporting. Msigwa said foreign media had relied heavily on social media and satellite images, often publishing one-sided accounts without offering the government a chance to respond.

“Professional journalism requires fairness and accountability. Publishing information without seeking the government’s perspective is unprofessional,” he said. Msigwa urged foreign media to respect the ongoing Commission of Inquiry investigating the riots, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande.

The commission is tasked with determining the causes of the unrest, the role of political parties, and the involvement of local and international actors. President Samia has suggested that some youth were paid to participate in the protests, raising questions about external influence on the demonstrations.