DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – Life in Dar es Salaam is slowly resuming after Tanzanian authorities on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, lifted a nearly week-long curfew imposed in the wake of deadly protests that erupted over the disputed October 29 general election. The lockdown paralysed Tanzania's economic heart, causing significant social disruption and creating economic repercussions that have rippled across East Africa, directly impacting Kenyan trade and security.

The Tanzania Police Force officially lifted the 6 p.m. curfew following a directive from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was sworn in for a new term on Monday, November 3. The order was first imposed on October 29, 2025, after demonstrations against the election results turned violent, with clashes between protesters and security forces, destruction of property, and significant loss of life.

Return to Cautious Normalcy

As of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, shops and petrol stations have begun to reopen, and public transport is gradually returning to the city's streets. However, the return to normalcy is tentative. Residents face shortages of basic goods and fuel, leading to long queues and a sharp increase in prices for essentials and transport fares. A bodaboda rider in the Tabata area reported charging fares as high as Sh30,000 for a trip that would normally cost much less, attributing the hike to the difficulty in sourcing fuel. The government has directed all public servants to return to work, officially ending a work-from-home order that had been in place since the unrest began.

Alongside the curfew, a nationwide internet blackout was implemented on October 29, severely disrupting communications and business operations. While connectivity is being gradually restored, access to several social media platforms remains restricted, and police have warned citizens against sharing images of the protests online.

Disputed Elections and Contested Casualties

The unrest was triggered by the general election, which saw President Hassan declared the winner with what international observers have called a questionable 98% of the vote. Key opposition figures, including Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party, were barred from contesting, leading to widespread accusations of a sham election. Protests erupted in Dar es Salaam and other cities as demonstrators denounced the results.

The human cost of the subsequent crackdown is a matter of stark dispute. The Tanzanian government has not released official casualty figures and has acknowledged only "incidents of violence that led to loss of lives." However, opposition party Chadema told AFP it had recorded "no less than 800" deaths, while other reports from diplomatic sources suggest at least 500 fatalities. The UN Human Rights Office has confirmed at least 10 deaths across three cities. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the use of lethal force by security services against protesters.

Regional Impact Felt in Kenya

The crisis in Tanzania has had immediate and significant consequences for Kenya and the East African Community (EAC). The shutdown of the Port of Dar es Salaam, a critical trade gateway for several landlocked nations, forced the diversion of cargo vessels to Kenya's Port of Mombasa. This sudden influx has strained Mombasa's capacity and threatens to increase transport and logistics costs throughout the Northern Corridor, affecting Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Shippers Council of Eastern Africa has warned of potential congestion and delays.

Kenyan authorities have also been on high alert. On Thursday, October 30, Kenya's Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, confirmed that security had been significantly heightened along border points such as Namanga and Isebania to prevent a spillover of the violence. There were reports of Kenyan security forces blocking youths from crossing into Tanzania to join the protests. The disruption has also impacted cross-border trade and the flow of remittances. Kenya's Trade Cabinet Secretary, Lee Kinyanjui, stated that the electoral tensions were "impeding movement and curtailing investor confidence" across the EAC.

As Tanzania navigates a fragile peace, the full political and economic fallout from the election and subsequent unrest remains a critical concern for the stability and economic integration of the entire East Africa region. FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED to ascertain the full scale of casualties and the long-term impact on regional trade dynamics.