Dar es Salaam. Various social media users in the country have expressed their displeasure with a brief demonstration by the Police Force, showcasing how the force is prepared to deal with anyone who takes to the streets to demand their rights.
While sharing their views, stakeholders noted that the demonstration did not reflect the core duty of the force, which is to ensure the protection and safety of citizens. The showcase took place on September 17, 2024, at the grounds of the Tanzania Police Academy, located in Moshi, Kilimanjaro region, during the climax of the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the Tanzania Police Force, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan participated as the guest of honor.
The 15-minute demonstration began with riot police vehicles entering the field, carrying officers armed with various weapons. Next to them, individuals acting as protesters were seen holding banners and chairs, chanting loudly, “We want our rights, we want our rights,” indicating their demands.
The police, armed with their weapons, were seen ordering the protesters to disperse, but they refused and continued chanting. The leader of the police unit ordered his officers to fire tear gas at the protesters, causing some to fall and be arrested, while others ran away to avoid the chaos.
After a while, the protesters who had retreated returned to continue demanding their rights. The police leader then ordered a water cannon truck to spray them, an order that was immediately carried out, forcing the protesters to scatter.
After completing the exercise of dispersing the protesters, one of the speakers, who was explaining the demonstration to President Samia, was heard saying that in real-life situations, they would use more force to prevent protesters from raising their voices.
“In reality, we show no mercy to those disobedient in society,” the speaker said. “We need people to follow the laws, regulations, and procedures. This country must be governed according to the law.”
Online Reaction
John Heche, a member of the central committee of the main opposition party CHADEMA, expressed on his X account that the demonstration was inappropriate, as the Police Force should have shown how they are prepared to fight kidnapping and robbery cases, which are currently dominating the media and social networks in the country.
“We have very small-minded people in leadership positions,” wrote Heche, who was also a member of parliament for Tarime Rural from 2015 to 2020.
“A country like that cannot progress. The police are showing how to prevent protests, which are constitutionally guaranteed. I think they should have shown how they protect citizens from kidnappers and how they guard against robbery.”
Another person who questioned the issue was Onesmo Mushi, a Tanzanian living in the United States. On his X account, Mushi wrote that “it’s very shameful to see a President who swore to protect the constitution, which grants the right to protest, watching a drill that violates that right.”
“Where is the violence in this drill?” Mushi asked and continued, “Is it wrong for people to peacefully protest while chanting for their rights?”
Other netizens highlighted that the premise of the show comes from the Police background as a force that was created under colonial structures.
“This show would have been impressive if this demonstration were not peaceful. Unfortunately, there is nothing in this video indicating that this is not a peaceful demonstration,” said Dr Muhidin Shangwe a political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
He added: “Maybe the creators of the show had good intentions, but that intention is not visible in this video. Decolonize the Tanzanian Police Force as soon as possible.”
September 23 planned demonstrations
All of this is happening in a period when CHADEMA has planned to hold peaceful demonstrations on September 23, 2024, against incidents of abductions, killing, and disappearance in the country.
The decision was announced by the party’s chairman, Freeman Mbowe, on September 11, 2024, following CHADEMA’s status as the primary victim of incidents where its members have been kidnapped and killed. The protests are planned to occur in Dar es Salaam, with members from across the country called to participate.
“My brothers, we have joked many times; this time, there is no joke,” said Mbowe during a speech he delivered immediately after returning from Ali Kibao’s funeral.
“I am saying that starting Monday [September 23, 2024], we will take to the streets to demand what we see as the lives of our people who have disappeared unless the government takes immediate and deliberate steps to return [those missing], people resign, and all those responsible be held accountable,” he added.
On September 13, 2024, the Police Force publicly banned CHADEMA’s planned protests, labeling them as criminal, and vowed to deal with anyone who takes to the streets.
“The Police Force in the country issues a warning to the leaders of that party to stop encouraging citizens to participate in this crime, and anyone who takes to the streets will face the full force of the law,” said Police Spokesperson David Misime speaking to journalists in Kilimanjaro.
“For that reason, those protests are prohibited. The Police Force issues a prohibition to anyone invited or instructed to come to Dar es Salaam from any region for those protests not to dare to do so because the protests are illegal and will not happen.”
