Young people working in informal sectors across Dar es Salaam, including street hawkers, bottle collectors, and vendors of cold drinks such as water and soda, have said they will not participate in the planned demonstrations scheduled for July 7, 2026, citing lessons learned from the October 29, 2025 unrest.
The youths, who operate in busy streets, bus terminals, and commercial areas of the city, said they have in recent weeks been approached and encouraged to join the planned demonstrations.
However, they said they have made a conscious decision to stay away, stressing that such activities would risk their safety and disrupt their daily efforts to earn a living.
They referred to findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the October 29 disturbances, chaired by former Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, which indicated that some young people were reportedly mobilised from public areas, including bus stations, and allegedly given small payments to encourage participation in acts that later turned violent.
The youths said the experience served as a turning point, noting that many of those who participated were negatively affected economically and socially, while the intended benefits did not materialise.
They emphasized that they do not wish to be used in ways that could endanger their lives or livelihoods, adding that peaceful engagement and lawful channels remain the appropriate way to address public concerns.
According to them, ongoing government efforts to respond to citizens’ challenges at different levels should be supported rather than replaced by actions that may lead to disorder.
“Everyone has something to learn from October 29. What happened affected many people and disrupted normal life. We should not accept a situation where the country comes to a standstill for days. Young people need to understand that such events bring more harm than benefit,” said James Yuster, Director of the James Foundation, an organisation supporting children and young people living in vulnerable conditions.
During conversations with our reporter, the youths, including Julian Noah Kayuni, a resident of Makongo Juu who sells water and soda, called on young people across the country to reflect carefully on the consequences of the October 29, 2025 events.
They said the incident should serve as a clear lesson against being drawn into actions that could expose them to danger or long-term hardship.
They stressed that peace and stability remain the foundation of livelihoods and national development. According to them, without peace, ordinary citizens cannot carry out their daily economic activities, and it is therefore the responsibility of every young person to protect national stability and avoid actions that may undermine it.
