Security Brief for Tanzania prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 8:55:14 PM UTC
Security Assessment Rating
Security Rating for Tanzania: 3 - Moderate
Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 4 Overall Rating: Security Services 4 3 Civil Unrest 3 Terrorism 3 Moderate Kidnapping 2 Geopolitical 3
Security Overview : Overview of Tanzania Violent and petty crime is relatively common in Tanzania and foreign travelers are often targeted due to their perceived relative wealth. Although the country has not seen any significant terrorist attacks since 1998, a number of small-scale terrorism incidents and outbreaks of political violence have occurred in some areas, particularly on Zanzibar and in the Pwani coastal region. However, the perpetrators of such attacks have rarely been identified and the risk to foreign travelers remains low. The conflict risk in the country is also low, with Dodoma generally maintaining good relations with its immediate neighbors. Unrest driven by a variety of socio- economic and political developments occurs sporadically in the country, particularly in the main urban centers. For the most part, these gatherings are peaceful, although there is a credible risk of localized violence during political demonstrations which may be aggressively dispersed by security forces.
Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism. Related Advice: Increasing your personal security while traveling. Related Advice: Avoiding and surviving kidnapping situations.
No Current Security Alerts
Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts
Entry/Exit: COVID-19 restrictions in Tanzania remain largely unchanged as of July 12 as compared with those in place in early June. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Some business and travel disruptions
Summary As of July 12, the COVID-19-related restrictions in force in Tanzania remain largely unchanged by comparison with the measure in effect during the first week of June. Under current directives, all travelers entering Tanzania must provide a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Additionally, all incoming passengers must complete and submit an online Traveller's Surveillance Form within 24 hours before arrival. Travelers who will be in transit for more than 72 hours must be re-tested upon arrival.
Moreover, all travelers arriving from or having traveled through India within the 14 days prior to entering Tanzania must take a rapid test on arrival followed by 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a government facility at their own expense. Tanzanian nationals returning from India, however, are reportedly allowed to quarantine in their homes under strict supervision.
Additional measures put in place concerning cross-border traffic by commercial trucks and other cargo vehicles include:
No more than three persons are allowed per vehicle. Drivers suspected of being infected with COVID-19 will be quarantined at designated facilities at their own expense. Crew members must declare their final destinations at the point of entry; only one stop will be allowed at government-designated locations. Drivers and crew members who possess negative results from COVID-19 tests may be randomly retested upon arrival.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements before departure, including possible self- isolation requirements. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Consider delaying travel if showing COVID-19-like symptoms as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays.
Resources World Health Organization
Alert begins: 07/12/2021 Warning Alerts
Health: Ongoing COVID-19 activity in Sub-Saharan Africa during June 30. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Regionwide (map) Period: May-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking)
Summary Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 30. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 May 30-June 30. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks:
Very high risk of transmission
Seychelles Namibia Botswana Reunion
High risk of transmission
South Africa Cape Verde Zambia
Moderate risk of transmission
Rwanda Uganda Eritrea
Low risk of transmission Zimbabwe Eswatini Mauritius Mayotte Liberia Gabon Kenya Mauritania Lesotho Sierra Leone Republic of Congo Equatorial Guinea Mozambique Angola DRC Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Cameroon Malawi Djibouti Cote d'Ivoire Burundi Togo Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Madagascar Gambia Comoros Sudan Somalia Benin Central African Republic Mali Nigeria Niger Burkina Faso Chad
Background and Analysis Additional cases may be added to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continues.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.
Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel. Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that antibiotics or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
Resources WHO coronavirus knowledge base WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
Alert begins: 06/30/2021
Security Intelligence
SECURITY
Armed Conflict: Armed Conflict - Tanzania The threat of inter-state conflict is remote, albeit with a small potential for instability along border regions due to refugees fleeing instability in Burundi. Burundian rebels are not currently believed to be using Tanzania as a staging ground for attacks across the border, although there are concerns that violence could spill-over into the Kigoma and Kagera regions should the tense political situation in Burundi deteriorate into a civil war. In recent years, there have been occasional unconfirmed reports of Burundian government forces attacking refugees in Tanzania, allegations rejected by both Bujumbura and Dodoma. Nonetheless, this increased instability in Burundi has negatively affected the security environment along the border, which has historically been characterized by the activities of armed bandits and smugglers.
Civil Unrest: Civil unrest generally poses a moderate threat in Tanzania Civil unrest occasionally occurs on the mainland in major cities, typically driven by various socio-economic issues and political developments. Labor-related unrest is also relatively common. While most demonstrations are peaceful in Tanzania, violence can erupt at short notice due to aggressive crowd dispersal operations by security forces. Authorities have been known to ban or order security forces to disperse opposition-led demonstrations, resulting in the use of heavy-handed crowd control measures. This has particularly been the case regarding politically-motivated demonstrations, with the opposition accusing the CCM-led government of being increasingly authoritarian.
Contacts and Communication: Emergency numbers and selected embassy contacts in Tanzania Emergency Services
POLICE EMERGENCY 112 AMBULANCE EMERGENCY 112 FIRE EMERGENCY 112 INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY CODE 255 Contact information for select embassies in Tanzania.
Note: This information is subject to change.
Australia - Consulate Belgium - Embassy Canada - High Commission
Plot No. 431, Barack Obama Road, 5 38 Mirambo St. Mahando Street, Msasani Peninsular, Dar es Salaam Garden Avenue Dar es Salaam Phone: +255-22-211-2688 Dar es Salaam Phone: +255-22-26-02-584 Fax: +255-22-211-7621 Phone: +255-22-216-3300 Fax: +255-22-26-01-809 Email: Fax: +255-22-211-6897 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] diplomatie.belgium.be/tanzania daressalaam.gc.ca dfat.gov.au/australian-consulate-in- tanzania China - Embassy France - Embassy Germany - Embassy
2 Kajificheni Close 7 Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road Umoja House, 2nd floor Tour Drive Dar es Salaam Mirambo Street and Garden Dar es Salaam Phone: +255-22-219-8800 Avenue Phone: +255-22-26-68-063 Fax: +255-22-219-8815 Dar es Salaam Fax: +255-22-266-6353 Email: Phone: +255-22-21-17-409 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Fax: +255-22-21-12-944 tz.china-embassy.org ambafrance-tz.org Email: [email protected] german-embassy-daressalam.de Japan - Embassy United Kingdom - High United States - Embassy Commission Plot 1018 686 Old Bagamoyo Rd. Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road Umoja House Msasani Dar es Salaam Garden Avenue Dar es Salaam Phone: +255-22-211-5827 Dar es Salaam Phone: +255-22-229-4000 Fax: +255-22-211-5830 Phone: +255-22-229-0000 Fax: +255-22-22-94-970/1 tz.emb-japan.go.jp Fax: +255-22-211-0102 https://tanzania.usembassy.gov/ Email: [email protected] ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk Familiarize yourself with the location and contact details of other foreign embassies in case your country's embassy closes due to an emergency or some other unexpected circumstances. Another embassy can often provide assistance in such cases.
Crime: Crime generally poses a moderate threat in Tanzania
The primary threat for travelers in Tanzania stems from non-violent, opportunistic criminal activity, particularly bag-snatching, pickpocketing and muggings. For the most part, perpetrators of petty theft are unarmed, although accomplices armed with bladed weapons, and occasionally firearms, are likely to be nearby and may intervene if the victim resists of confronts the assailant. Levels of criminal activity generally increase after dark, with foreign pedestrians likely to be singled out especially if traveling alone or in secluded areas. Bag-snatching by thieves on motorcycles is widespread in most urban centers, with assailants exploiting a lack of pedestrian footpaths to approach their victims and escape quickly. Both foreign travelers and locals are targeted. Injuries are not uncommon, with the victims often being knocked to the ground and occasionally dragged for several meters.
Residential burglaries are also relatively common, particularly in more affluent neighborhoods, expatriate enclaves, and areas where security precautions are lacking. An increase in such burglaries has been reported in recent years, with assailants typically being well-armed and displaying a willingness to resort to violence if confronted or resisted. Sexual assaults have reportedly occurred during a number of these incidents. Armed robberies are also sporadically reported, with urban centers having seen an increase in the frequency of such incidents in recent years. Carjackings are not uncommon in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, although the crime is nowhere near as prevalent as in neighboring Kenya. Kidnap-for-ransom incidents are uncommon in Tanzania, with the few reported instances typically being linked to personal or community disputes.
Since late 2016, the Pwani coastal region has seen a number of apparently targeted killings, many of which appear to be politically motivated. Local politicians, activists and community leaders have been attacked in the region as well as members of the security forces and other government employees. In April 2017, at least eight police officers were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified gunmen in the village of Uchembe. The violence has occasionally spread beyond the region, with several politically motivated attacks having occurred in Dar es Salaam, but the perpetrators of the attacks remain unclear and it is not known whether they have been coordinated by one group. Security has since been increased in the region. However, foreign travelers have remained largely unaffected by the violence.
Related Advice: Protecting yourself from carjacking and reacting when it happens. Related Advice: Strategies for reducing the risk of becoming a victim of LGBT hate crime.
Geopolitical: The geopolitical threat in Tanzania is moderate Tanzania enjoys a stable political environment through the continued domination of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Despite the reelection of incumbent president John Magufuli in the tensed October 2020 presidential elections, support for the party has been declining in recent years due to the sustained pressure and critics from an invigorated opposition. Magufuli's death on March 17, 2021, has led to Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan's swearing in as the new president. President Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli's five-year presidential term until elections are held in 2025. Magufuli's death raises questions about whether President Hassan will change course or maintain her predecessor's authoritarian track. Corruption is systemic in Tanzania; the issue is expected to persist despite the presidential change. Despite improvements, rule of law does not always prevail in Tanzania, due to an underfunded and corrupt judiciary.
Kidnapping/Hostage Situation: The threat of kidnapping in Tanzania is low
Kidnapping
The threat of kidnapping in Tanzania is low. The most common types of abduction include basic opportunistic kidnap-for-ransom and express kidnapping, which involves victims being held for short periods of time and forced to withdraw money from ATMs. The majority of criminally-motivated kidnappings are reported in Dar es Salaam and to a lesser extent, Arusha. Locals are the primary targets and victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly.
There have been several reported incidents in which foreigners have been lured to the country on the basis of legitimate business opportunities. Upon arrival, the foreign victims have been extorted and defrauded of funds by their purported business associates. There is a marginally elevated threat of kidnapping in the vicinity of Lake Tanganyika, located on the shared border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through which DRC-based militants are capable of launching incursions.
Related Advice: Recognizing when you are under surveillance, and tips to avoid surveillance. Related Advice: Increasing your chances of survival in a kidnapping/hostage situation Related Advice: Increasing your personal security while traveling. Related Advice: Avoiding and surviving kidnapping situations.
Security Services: Security Services generally poses a high threat in Tanzania
Security Services
The capabilities and responsiveness of security services in Tanzania are generally poor (risk is high). Although Tanzania has different security forces, the Tanzanian Police Force are likely to be the most relevant for foreign nationals and local staff in urban areas. In rural areas, the citizen's anti-crime groups and patrols, known as Sungusungu, are the dominant policing force. Police officers are typically able to speak English but their response to complaints is slow due to lack of resources. Police officers often dismiss complaints of nonviolent crimes. Low-level police corruption is widespread. The Sungusungu in rural areas are known for their use of excessive and vigilante force and should be avoided. In Tanzania, foreign nationals should not rely on security forces and should instead liaise with their diplomatic mission.
Terrorism: Terrorism generally poses a moderate threat in Tanzania
Since 2013, several low-intensity and often crude attacks attributed to Islamist extremists have been reported in a number of towns and cities, primarily Arusha, Mwanza and Stone Town on Zanzibar. Targets included religious buildings, security personnel and infrastructure as well as commercial establishments frequented by Western travelers, such as the July 2014 bombing of an upscale Arusha restaurant that wounded eight. However, such incidents remain extremely uncommon. The exact identities of the perpetrators of the attacks have remained largely unclear but the assailants are believed to be Tanzanians with limited ties to transnational terrorist networks. There are unconfirmed reports that an assault on a mosque in the northwestern town of Mwanza in May 2016 and a series of machete and firearm attacks in Tanga in June were carried out by a small Islamist militant group, possibly inspired by a transnational group but with no direct international ties. In response to the perceived growing terrorist threat since the beginning of 2016, security forces have launched multiple raids targeting suspected militants across Tanzania.
The recent killings in the Pwani region, including the ambush of a police patrol in April 2017, have been linked by some commentators to religious extremism but the government has been hesitant to describe the attacks as terrorism. However, extremists from the Pwani region were later implicated by security forces in militant attacks in the Cabo Delgado region of neighboring Mozambique and dozens are reported to have been arrested attempting to cross the border, although it remains unclear whether the group is still active in Pwani.
Tensions between the government and the Muslim community on Zanzibar have also occasionally resulted in violence which some have linked to terrorism, although these have generally remained small-scale isolated incidents and there is little evidence than transnational extremist groups wield influence on the island.
Despite these recent small-scale attacks, Tanzania has not seen a major terrorist attack since the 1998 bombing of the US embassy. Foreign travelers have generally not been targeted in recent incidents but attacks on international interests in the country cannot be ruled out.
Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism. Related Advice: Increasing your chances of survival in a kidnapping/hostage situation Related Advice: Recognizing suspicious objects and the threat of hidden explosives while traveling
Overview of Tanzania
Tanzania is a developing country located in eastern Africa on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The country, particularly the mainland, has enjoyed relative political stability since independence through the domination of the ruling CCM party, although the island of Zanzibar has been prone to persistent political tensions that have fuelled sporadic outbreaks of violence and unrest. The Tanzanian economy is primarily dependent on agriculture, although the mining and oil and gas sectors have played an increasingly larger role in recent years as the government seeks to bring in foreign investment and privatize former nationalized industries. Corruption remains an impediment to growth, as anti-graft programs launched by the government have had relatively little impact.
The primary threats to travelers include violent and petty criminal activity, civil unrest, health hazards and a dangerous driving environment. Despite ongoing government programs to improve infrastructure, roads in many rural areas continue to be poorly maintained and utilities provision remains concentrated in urban centers. Tanzania has not seen any significant terrorist attacks in recent years but there have been persistent concerns over the potential for low-level militancy and political violence in some areas, particularly on Zanzibar and in the Pwani coastal region. Weather, Currency Exchange
TANZANIA WEATHER CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Dar Es Salaam Airport: CURRENCY 1 Tanzanian 1 US Dollar 1 Euro = Jul 12 Jul 13 NAMES Shilling = = Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 16 Euro 1.0000 0.0004 0.8423 High: High: Tanzanian High: 84° High: 86° High: 85° 2,748.4955 1.0000 2,315.0880 84° F 81° F F (28° C) F (30° C) F (29° C) Shilling (28° C) (27° C) Low: 71° Low: 70° Low: 69° US Dollar 1.1872 0.0004 1.0000 Low: 70° Low: 71° F (21° C) F (21° C) F (20° C) F (21° C) F (21° C)
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