Tanzanian police have alleged that groups of foreign nationals are plotting to instigate post-election protests, just a day after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of last week’s general election.
In a statement seen by The Star, police said intelligence reports indicated that hundreds of foreigners had allegedly entered the country illegally, some transported on boda bodas, with the intent to cause chaos and disrupt public order.
“Tanzania Police have received information that a group of foreign nationals are in the country with the aim of committing crimes, including creating chaos. These people are purporting to do several jobs, including operating boda bodas,” the police spokesperson said in the statement.
According to authorities, the foreigners are reportedly operating in several key regions, including Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Songwe. The statement further urged Tanzanians to report any suspicious individuals or activities to local government officers.
“As police follow up on these reports with a view to taking action in line with our laws, any citizen hosting a foreigner whose work is unknown or whose activities appear suspicious is asked to provide information to government officers,” the police added.
Authorities also warned that Tanzanians or business entities found harbouring the foreigners would be arrested and prosecuted in court. However, the statement did not specify the nationalities or identities of the alleged plotters.
The warning comes a day after President Samia was declared victorious in a hotly contested election that opposition groups and international observers have criticised as neither free nor fair.
Samia, who took office in 2021 following the death of former president John Pombe Magufuli, reportedly secured 98 per cent of the votes, according to the country’s electoral commission. The opposition has vowed to challenge the results, citing widespread irregularities and voter intimidation.
