The Kariakoo market, the busiest in Tanzania, located in the economic capital Dar es Salaam, has seen the closure of more than a thousand shops for the third consecutive day since Monday, in an unprecedented move in this East African country.
The closure of the shops is a sign of protest against a new tax targeting their shops, which the government is going to put under a moratorium. The shop owners are demanding an end to multiple taxes and tax collectors.
In a public meeting with Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, broadcast live on television on Wednesday, a trader explained that they already pay a lot of taxes and that they cannot pay new taxes on shops.
While calling on the traders to reopen shops, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a 14-member committee, comprising members of the government and traders.
Another trader named Elimringi Goodluck defended the traders who are already paying import taxes and cannot pay another tax once they are in the shops.
Kariakoo market is a major trade hub with other Tanzanian regions but also with neighboring countries.
Tanzania has been ruled since 2021 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who ended the authoritarian policies of her predecessor John Magufuli.