The Israeli embassy in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens in Tanzania to exercise extreme caution as the country braces for additional demonstrations expected on December 9, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 5, they outlined several potential risks that may materialize in the coming days, including public disturbances, violent street clashes that could endanger bystanders, and severe disruptions to all forms of transportation.
The advisory comes in the wake of Tanzania's October 29, 2025, elections, which sparked violent protests and widespread unrest across the nation. The post-election period was marked by the shutdown of internet networks and significant disruptions to transportation systems, both within and outside the country.
According to the Israeli foreign ministry, demonstrations anticipated for December 9 may begin several days earlier and are expected to concentrate in central areas of the country.
The advisory warns of possible curfews, roadblocks, communication disruptions, particularly online services, and an increased presence of security forces. There is also a possibility of temporary airport closures.
The ministry has issued specific recommendations for Israeli nationals currently in Tanzania, urging them to avoid areas of friction and public gatherings, and to follow instructions from local security authorities. Notably, the advisory cautions that under Tanzanian law, sharing photos or videos that may cause panic is considered a criminal offense.
Israeli citizens are also advised to stock up on essential supplies including food, water, medicines, and cash, while keeping informed through media updates. For those whose presence in Tanzania is not essential during this period, the ministry recommends postponing travel until the situation stabilizes.
Earlier in the day, multiple diplomatic missions in Tanzania issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns about the situation in the country.
The British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, and embassies from Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union Delegation collectively called for accountability and transparency regarding deaths and injuries reported following the recent elections.
The diplomatic missions expressed deep regret over the loss of lives and numerous injuries in the aftermath of the elections. They emphasized the importance of security forces exercising maximum restraint while recalling the government's stated commitment to peace and stability.
The joint statement highlighted credible reports from both domestic and international organizations pointing to serious human rights violations. These reports cite evidence of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the concealment of bodies.
"We reiterate our call on the government to uphold their international commitments to protecting fundamental freedoms and the constitutional rights to access information and freedom of expression for all Tanzanians," the missions stated.
Meanwhile, the United States has announced that it is “comprehensively reviewing” its relationship with the Government of Tanzania following actions surrounding the disputed October 29 elections.
US reviews Tanzania ties
In a statement attributed to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott, the US explained that the review was prompted by the Tanzanian government’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, persistent obstacles to US investment, and concerning violence against civilians in the days before and after the elections.
The statement noted that the US cannot ignore actions that jeopardise the safety of its citizens or the security and stability of the region. Consequently, the future of America’s bilateral relationship with Tanzania “will be based on its actions.”
“These actions have put American citizens, tourists, and US interests in Tanzania at risk, and threatened to undermine the mutual prosperity and security that have defined our partnership for decades,” the statement said.
It added: “The United States values its longstanding partnership with the people of Tanzania, which has brought prosperity to our populations and security to the region. Recent actions by the government of Tanzania, however, raise grave concerns about the direction of our bilateral relationship and the reliability of the Tanzanian Government as a partner.”
The US statement came hours after UN human rights experts condemned what they described as widespread and systematic human rights violations in Tanzania following the general elections.
The experts said the violations included allegations of hundreds of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and mass arbitrary detentions targeting protesters, opposition figures, and civil society across the country.
In their statement, the experts estimated that at least 700 people were extrajudicially killed after the elections, though other estimates suggest thousands of potential victims.
Chilling reports allege that bodies have disappeared from morgues and that human remains are being incinerated or buried in unmarked mass graves.
“Family members who identified remains were reportedly forced to sign false statements about the cause of death to receive the bodies. The government must provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all disappeared persons and ensure the identification and dignified return of the remains to their families,” the experts said.
They added: “All restrictions on media coverage must be lifted, as they are incompatible with Tanzania's international obligations.”
The experts also highlighted that the complete internet shutdown imposed from October 29 to November 3, 2025, “severely curtailed the ability of human rights defenders and journalists to carry out their work and document violations.”
They urged the Tanzanian government to conduct a “prompt, impartial, independent, thorough, and effective investigation into all reported killings, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations.”
Ahead of planned demonstrations on December 9, 2025, the experts called on Tanzanian authorities and security forces to prevent further violations and to protect the right to peaceful assembly.
“The experts are in contact with the government on this issue and expressed their readiness to provide technical assistance to Tanzanian authorities,” they said.
