NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police officers heavily patrolled mostly empty streets in major Tanzanian cities following calls for protests over the ruling party’s disputed election victory that the government declared illegal, as rights groups criticized a clampdown on free speech in the East African nation.
The results of the Oct. 29 election led to three days of violent protests that left hundreds killed, more than 2,000 detained, and vehicles and buildings burned, with protesters demanding the poll be canceled. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with more than 97% of the vote after the country’s two main opposition parties were barred and the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was imprisoned.
Police trucks and officers on foot could be seen Tuesday in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, the administrative capital, Dodoma, and the northeastern city of Arusha, while roadblocks were erected near key government buildings, including Hassan's heavily guarded offices in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
Public transportation in Dar es Salaam was halted after bus drivers feared vandalism.
Police spokesperson David Misime described the situation as "calm" and urged citizens to ignore “videos from past events” being circulated online.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on Monday asked all nonessential workers to stay home the following day.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Kenya, authorities arrested several activists on Tuesday for protesting outside the Tanzanian high commission in the capital. Kenyan activists held a press conference in Nairobi in solidarity with their Tanzanian counterparts on Monday and called on Tanzania to investigate the killings and disappearances of protesters during the October protests.
Tuesday also marked Tanzania's annual Independence Day from British colonial rule in 1961. The government canceled the celebrations in November, saying funds would be used to repair damaged infrastructure following the violent demonstrations.
Human Rights Watch on Monday decried a crackdown on Tanzanian activists, stating that at least 10 people have been arrested since mid-November following social media posts about the planned protests. Amnesty International also issued a statement Monday, urging Tanzania to respect the right to peaceful assembly and warning against another internet shutdown like the one that lasted for over a week after the October election.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday asked Tanzanian authorities to “refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”
Tanzania’s government established a commission to investigate the post-election violence, but its findings are yet to be announced.
FILE - People protest a day after the general election following allegations of electoral irregularities in Arusha, Tanzania, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo, File)
FILE -Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers remarks during a campaign rally ahead of the general elections in Iringa, Tanzania, on Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo, File)
ATLANTA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak, holding off the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 on Monday after squandering a 23-point lead in the second half.
The Hawks led 105-104 on Jalen Johnson's 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining before dropping their fourth in a row in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game played in the hometown of the civil rights icon.
AJ Green and Bobby Portis hit back-to-back 3s, Johnson turned the ball over and Antetokounmpo powered inside for a basket that made it 109-105 with 36 seconds to go.
The Hawks still had a chance after Nickeil Alexander-Walker connected from outside the stripe and Ryan Rollins missed a free throw for the Bucks. But CJ McCollum bobbled the ball and wound up flinging an off-balance shot that clanked off the rim to seal it for Milwaukee.
Atlanta nearly won after missing its first 21 shots from 3-point range. The Hawks trailed 54-38 at halftime and 74-51 approaching the midway point of the third period before finally coming to life.
Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 32 points, while Johnson had 28 points and 16 rebounds. The Bucks were more balanced, with six players in double figures.
Milwaukee made a lineup change, dropping Kevin Porter Jr. from the starting five. After starting all 36 games he had played this season, Porter was replaced by Kyle Kuzma.
Porter was benched after a rough January that included an 0-for-9 shooting performance in Milwaukee's previous game, a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He played 28 minutes against the Hawks with nine points, seven assists and six rebounds.
The Hawks continued to struggle at home, dropping to 7-13 at State Farm Arena. They are 13-12 on the road.
As part of the holiday commemoration, Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, were recognized during a timeout early in the third quarter.
Bucks: Return home to take on the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
Hawks: Travel to Memphis on Wednesday to face the Grizzlies.
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MArtin Luther King is honored during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) looks to pass against Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) moves the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
