Govt Deploys Forces to Block Protests

Tanzania deployed police and army in major cities on Independence Day to prevent protests against the October elections. The government warned that demonstrations would be treated as a coup attempt. Streets were largely deserted, shops closed, and security forces carried out ID checks. Small gatherings were reported in some areas, but could not be confirmed. The measures followed widespread post-election violence, during which UN experts estimated at least 700 people were extrajudicially killed.