Israel warns citizens against traveling to Tanzania over poll protests

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thursday issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against travelling to Tanzania.

This follows violent protests that erupted after the country’s October 29, 2025 general elections.

In a statement released on Thursday, through the embassy in Nairobi, the ministry said widespread riots had broken out across several parts of Tanzania, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and restrict internet access.

“In light of the riots that broke out in Tanzania following the elections held on October 29, 2025, during which a curfew was imposed and access to the internet was disrupted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Israeli citizens avoid travelling to the country at this time,” the statement read.

Israel’s embassy in Nairobi oversees diplomatic and consular affairs in Tanzania.

The ministry also urged Israeli nationals already in Tanzania to exercise extreme caution and adhere to local security directives.

“Israelis staying in Tanzania are advised to stay away from areas of friction and gatherings, remain in a safe place, comply with the instructions of local security authorities, follow developments in the media as much as possible, and prepare for possible disruptions in the supply of food, electricity, and communications.”

The advisory comes amid growing tension in Tanzania, where post-election unrest has led to reports of clashes between protesters and security forces.

The government has imposed movement restrictions in key urban areas to contain the situation.

The Israeli government said it is closely monitoring developments and has provided emergency contact options for citizens in distress.

“In an emergency, you can contact the emergency line of the Israeli Embassy in Kenya, whose number is +254-110150031, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Situation Center by phone at +972-5303155,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue to assess the situation and provide updates as needed.

The US embassy in Tanzania had on Wednesday evening and Thursday issued a security alert to its citizens, urging them to stay indoors and avoid moving around.

Tanzania held general elections on Wednesday October 29, 2025.

Protests, however, disrupted the polls after protesters stormed stations in various parts of the country, destroying ballot boxes and scattering the ballot papers.

Election Day was marked by sporadic violence and protests in Dar es Salaam, where police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding electoral reforms and greater political freedoms.

Protesters lit fires along major roads, vandalised buses, and damaged public infrastructure. Several people were reported injured.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila said the government would take firm action against those “disrupting peace” in the city.

Police later imposed a curfew in parts of the commercial capital.

Tanzania’s chief of police, Camelius Wambura, declared that curfew would start at 6 pm and urged people to stay indoors.

He did not say when the restrictions would be lifted.

Reports said that voter turnout in Dar es Salaam was low when polls opened on Wednesday, with many hesitant to show up amid safety concerns.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan had sought to solidify her position and silence criticism within her party in the virtually uncontested polls, with the main challengers either jailed or disqualified.

In the run-up, rights groups condemned a “wave of terror” in the east African nation, which has seen a string of high-profile abductions that ramped up in the final days.

A heavy security presence on Wednesday failed to deter hundreds protesting in economic hub Dar es Salaam and elsewhere, some singing: “We want our country back”.

Unverified images on social media showed initially small protests escalated during the day with reports of police responding with live fire as they targeted polling stations, police vehicles and businesses connected to the ruling party.

Witnesses said the unrest continued into the night despite a curfew imposed by police.

An internet blackout was still in place on Thursday, while the police and army had set up checkpoints around Dar es Salaam and other cities, the diplomatic source said.

Schools and colleges were closed on Thursday and civil servants told to work from home, officials said.

The government has remained silent and the heavily controlled local media made no mention of the unrest, nor provide any update on the election.