Tanzania tells foreign envoys not to comment on election unrest

Tanzania told foreign diplomats on Friday to refrain from making comments that could "disrupt or distort" an inquiry into deadly unrest that erupted during last month's general election.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote.

The government has not specified the number of people killed or injured but has set up a commission of inquiry. The United Nations and the opposition say that possibly hundreds of people lost their lives in the election unrest.

On Friday, Tanzania's foreign minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo met with foreign diplomats, briefing the gathering on the "unrest" that took place.

Freedom of expression

The government was aware that "various stakeholders" had been commenting on "the situation", Kombo said in a statement.

"Many of these statements, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently disrupt or distort the ongoing inquiry," the statement said.

"The government is urging them to restrain themselves and allow Tanzania the space to complete the investigation," it said.

It added while Tanzania respects freedom of expression, "such freedoms must operate within the bounds of responsibility".

Independence Day celebrations cancelled

On Monday, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations on December 9, following calls from opposition parties and others for fresh protests on the day.

The government said the money would be spent on rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the unrest.

Hundreds of people were also arrested in the wake of the protests and charged with treason, which carries the death penalty.

In a bid to ease tensions, the president called for some cases to be dropped. On Monday, around 200 people from across the country had their charges dropped.