In one of the videos shared on Facebook, seen here and here, flames can be seen engulfing the train as crowds chant and wave national flags. Witnesses claim the protesters torched the train to symbolize what they called the “collapse of state control” under the current leadership.
The unrest, which has spread across multiple towns, began as peaceful Gen Z-led demonstrations demanding accountability and freedom of expression.
However, tensions quickly escalated after reports emerged of security forces clashing with civilians. What was meant to be a show of unity has now spiraled into widespread chaos, leaving key infrastructure in ruins.
Local reports indicate that the burning of the multi-billion-shilling SGR project marks one of the most significant acts of defiance against state power in recent Tanzanian history. The train, once celebrated as a symbol of modernization and regional integration, has now become the face of public anger and rebellion.
Observers are linking the protests to rising frustrations among youth who feel politically sidelined and economically neglected. Some protesters have even been spotted alongside sections of the military who appear reluctant to intervene, fueling claims that parts of the armed forces sympathize with the demonstrators.
The regional ripple effects are already being felt across East Africa, with Kenyans and Ugandans flooding social media to express both solidarity and concern. Many fear the unrest could destabilize the entire region if not urgently addressed.
As night falls, Tanzanians remain defiant, chanting revolutionary songs in the streets even as smoke continues to rise from what was once the country’s pride on rails. The world is now watching closely to see how far this movement will go.
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Politics