Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has appealed to citizens to stay away from the planned December 9, 2025, demonstrations, warning that the country cannot risk a repeat of recent violence linked to the disputed general election.

Nchemba made the remarks on Sunday, December 7, 2025, during a public address in which he accused unnamed actors of paying young people to cause unrest. He said some individuals were receiving large sums of money to mobilise others to burn property and disrupt the country.

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“Open your eyes,” he said in Swahili. “Those sending you have been paid. You are being told to go and cause chaos while they remain with the money. We have seen young people receiving billions. Five billion shillings can build several health centres. Why is one young man given such money? He is only told to find others, give them petrol, and tell them to go and burn property.”

Nchemba warned that the government would not allow crime or violence to take root again, saying Tanzanians must protect their country from manipulation.

“Let us talk to each other,” he said. “Do not take us back to such events. Do not do that again. Tell others as well. We cannot allow crime to rule our nation.”

Tensions rise before protests

His appeal comes as Tanzania braces for possible turmoil ahead of the planned anti-government protests marking Independence Day. The demonstrations, called by opposition groups, are expected to challenge the legitimacy of the October election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured nearly 98 per cent of the vote.

The United States has already issued a security alert to its citizens, warning of possible curfews, internet shutdowns, roadblocks and travel disruptions around the protest date. The US Embassy also suspended non-emergency travel for its staff and advised Americans to avoid large gatherings.

The tensions follow widespread claims of post-election abuses. Human rights groups and the UN Human Rights Office have reported credible information suggesting that hundreds of people may have been killed during and after the polls. Opposition groups claim the toll could be even higher. The government has dismissed the figures as exaggerated and has not released its own numbers.

Police have declared the planned protests unlawful, saying organisers intend to cause disruption and damage public infrastructure. Activists, however, insist that the demonstrations will continue, saying the country needs accountability, transparency and political reforms.

Nchemba, appointed prime minister after parliament endorsed him with 369 votes in favour, is facing his first major national test since taking office. His rise came amid deep political tension and accusations of vote-rigging, intimidation of opposition candidates and restrictions on public freedoms.