The new travel advisory issued by President Donald Trump’s administration has placed a strong spotlight on Tanzania, with the United States warning foreigners to stay away from the country because of possible unrest.
The advisory came after reports that protests are being planned for December 9, 2025, with the US government noting that the demonstrations could begin even earlier.
This has added tension to a situation that was already uncertain, especially after recent violence linked to local political events.
The notice released on Friday, December 5, explained that the US had received information pointing to the likelihood of widespread protests and disruptions that could affect both residents and international travellers.
The US government mentioned that the planned demonstrations could quickly spread across several regions in Tanzania. For Americans living in the country, the advice was to prepare for any kind of interruption to normal life, including the possibility of unrest, curfews, roadblocks, and communication challenges.
The warning also included concerns about the stability of internet services, raising the possibility of an internet blackout.
The US said the online systems in Tanzania may not be reliable if disturbances affect communication networks. Because of this, travellers were encouraged to confirm all flight details using telephone calls rather than relying on online platforms, especially for trips in or out of the country over the next few days.
There was also a caution about movement between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The US noted that ferries might be cancelled, which would affect both tourism and local transport.
The advisory added that international flights could also be affected if the unrest escalates. With this uncertainty, the US urged foreigners to avoid gatherings, protests, or any location where demonstrations could occur, saying that such environments could become unpredictable very fast.
The advisory went further to encourage foreigners to gather essential supplies such as water, food, fuel, medication, and some cash. This was meant to help them in case they are required to stay indoors or if shops and services become temporarily unavailable due to safety concerns.
The US Embassy added that it would offer only limited emergency services on December 8 and 10, and that American government employees had been restricted from any domestic travel within Tanzania from December 8.
Even as these warnings were being shared, Tanzania’s police stated that the expected national demonstrations were illegal. This announcement by the authorities shows that tensions could rise again, especially after violence was witnessed last month following the elections.
With both foreign governments and local authorities expecting possible trouble, the days leading to December 9 are likely to be closely watched by both residents and the international community.
