Tanzania’s recent unrest mirrors Egypt’s 2011 scenario, where widespread demonstrations initially gave citizens hope for political change, but ultimately failed to dismantle the entrenched power structures, leaving the country under the control of dominant authorities.

Massive crowds gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square managed to topple a dictator who had ruled for nearly three decades, igniting hopes for genuine political reform and democratic change. For a brief moment, it seemed the Arab Spring had achieved its goal of transforming Egypt’s governance.

However, the initial optimism quickly gave way to instability. The country oscillated between political extremes, first under the Muslim Brotherhood and then under a military regime, which ultimately consolidated power.

Despite the overthrow of the long-standing dictator, the fundamental political structure remained largely unchanged, leaving ordinary Egyptians disillusioned and frustrated. Rising insecurity and frequent terror attacks further contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Economically, the demonstrations failed to deliver the improvements that many had demanded. Tourism, a critical source of revenue, declined sharply, while food prices and unemployment continued to rise.

External and domestic investment dropped significantly, with domestic investment falling from 19.5% of GDP in 2009/2010 to 14% in 2013/2014. By 2016, Egypt’s external debt had reached $60 billion, leaving the economy struggling and ordinary Egyptians largely excluded from any recovery.

The promise of a better standard of living, a central motivation for the protests, remained largely unfulfilled.