UN, Western governments issue security advisories during Tanzania polls

For the first time, several Western countries and the UN have issued security advisories to staff and citizens in Tanzania during the election period.

Expressing fears of possible security risks during and after the General Election to be held on Sunday, the United Nations office in New York and Dar es Salaam has cautioned its staff in the country to be vigilant for the rest of October.

A UN internal memo circulated to all UN staff in Dar es Salaam, which The EastAfrican has seen, cautioned against moving outside working stations unless on special duties, while no new UN staff will be allowed to fly into areas outside of Dar es salaam after October 22, and all staff are expected to remain in the capital up to the end of October.

Staff on non-essential work have also been advised to stay home for two days after polls close, as there could be power blackouts and lack of fuel in Dar es Salaam.

The memo mentions five security risk hotspots for potential violence; Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar island in the Coast region, Mbeya in the southern highlands neighbouring Zambia, Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria and the tourist city of Arusha in northern Tanzania.

“The Stone Town in Zanzibar and surrounding areas are also hotspots and might likely have no through roads or access to amenities,” the memo reads, quoting reports of police and military presence on various streets in the island.

The United States too has alerted all American citizens residing in or travelling to Tanzania to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation throughout the electoral period until end of November.

“The State Department recommends US citizens to maintain a high level of security awareness leading up to, during, and following the election period, should avoid political rallies, polling centers, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind as even gatherings intended to be peaceful can become confrontational and turn violent,” reads an alert sent from the embassy.  

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has alerted British nationals or visitors to Tanzania to be cautious during the election period.

“There will be restricted access to the area where the British High Commission is located from Sunday October 25, the day of the election, adding that this may continue for several days over the election period.