Tanzanian authorities have declared an evening curfew in the country's largest city following widespread protests and violent confrontations on Wednesday. Hundreds of angry youth engaged in running battles with anti-riot police, leading to several reported injuries. Protesters tore down banners of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and even burned a police station, voicing their discontent over alleged repression of the opposition and demanding electoral reforms and free political activity.

The unrest coincided with Tanzania's national elections, which have been marred by tension, arrests, and violent incidents. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have expressed serious concerns over alleged abuses by security forces, warning that such actions could undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, is seeking a second term amidst observations that the election faces little substantial opposition.

The impact of the violence extended beyond the protest zones, significantly affecting cross-border movement. As of 15:00 hours, vehicle movement was halted, resulting in long queues of trucks stretching along the Great North Road into Nakonde’s Central Business District. Tanzanian police in full riot gear were observed near polling stations close to the no man’s land area, ensuring the safety of polling staff and party agents.

A Tanzanian tanker driver, Muhammad Mwanang’amba, shared his concerns with Chete FM News, stating that the unrest was unnecessary and would ultimately harm ordinary citizens rather than political leaders. He speculated that the violence might have been instigated by supporters of political figures who were barred from contesting, noting that some of his friends had ripped up their voter cards in protest. Mr. Mwanang’amba expressed a strong hope for a swift return to peace, anxious to reunite with his family given the instability in his homeland.

Further exacerbating the situation, three individuals—two Zambians and one Tanzanian, aged between 15 and 30—were shot and injured earlier at the Malawi-Malawi trading area located between Tunduma and Nakonde. These victims were rushed to Nakonde District Hospital for treatment, with one confirming the shooting occurred within the no man’s land zone. Authorities on both the Nakonde and Tunduma sides of the border have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the resumption of traffic flow.