Stay metrics present X (previously Twitter) has turn into unreachable on main web suppliers in #Tanzania.
Blackout got here shortly after declare that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died—posted through a hacked account linked to the Tanzania Police Power (TANPOL).
Earlier, President Suluhu warned activists from Kenya telling them to not “meddle” in her nation’s affairs.
On Could twentieth, 2025, Tanzania’s digital sphere was abruptly silenced — once more — for the second time in underneath 10 months, authorities within the East African nation blocked entry to X (previously Twitter), as the bottom heats up forward of the overall elections scheduled in October later this yr.
In accordance with international web watchdog, NetBlocks, “Stay metrics present X (previously Twitter) has turn into unreachable on main web suppliers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the president has died, angering the nation’s management.”
The declare that President Samia Hassan had died — posted through a hacked account linked to the Tanzania Police Power (TANPOL) — despatched shockwaves throughout the nation. But somewhat than issuing a clear replace or clarifying the cyber incident, the state’s knee-jerk response was to tug the plug on the platform solely.
President Samia’s censorship disguised as safety
Hours earlier than the digital blackout, President Samia had ordered the police to “shield” social media — a telling selection of phrases. Within the identify of nationwide safety, freedom of expression is being step by step rebranded as a menace. It’s not the primary time this script has performed out.
Earlier, President Samia fired warning pictures to activists from neighbouring Kenya, noting that her administration wouldn’t permit them to “meddle” in her nation’s affairs by perpetuating what she known as “chaos”.
The President’s warning was issued hours after distinguished Kenyan attorneys and rights campaigners together with former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and ex-Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Martha Karua have been deported from Tanzania, stopping them from attending the courtroom case of opposition chief Tundu Lissu, who’s preventing chargs of treason.
Nevertheless, one other former Kenyan chief justice, David Maraga, was allowed to attend courtroom within the Tundu Lissu case, and stated that he hoped “the authorized course of forward will probably be truthful, simply, and expeditious”.
“If they’ve been contained of their nation (Kenya), allow them to not come right here (Tanzania) to meddle. Let’s not give them an opportunity. They’ve already created chaos in their very own nation,” President Samia stated in a public deal with.
More and more, Human rights teams are involved that President Samia’s administration is more and more cracking down on the opposition forward of hotly contested basic election in October, this yr.
In August 2024, the same shutdown of social media platforms occurred following the arrest of opposition chief Tundu Lissu and 4 different officers. Authorities in Tanzania justified that motion, too, blaming social media for enabling protests — some allegedly organized through Zoom. However beneath the techno-fear veneer lies an uncomfortable reality: Tanzania’s management is tightening its grip on digital dissent, and the opposition, too.
On Could twentieth, 2025, Tanzania’s digital sphere was abruptly silenced for the second time in underneath 10 months.
The silencing of the opposition in Tanzania
On account of current incidences met on key opposition leaders and other people perceived to be important of the federal government, Tanzania’s present political panorama is fraught with concern and repression. Tundu Lissu, who miraculously survived an assassination try in 2017 after being shot 16 instances, is now imprisoned, preventing treason prices. His political get together, Chadema, has been disqualified from taking part on this yr’s basic election, set for October. The symbolism is stark — silencing Lissu’s voice offline, whereas guaranteeing his supporters can’t mobilize on-line.
And it’s not simply Tanzanians who’re being caught within the dragnet. Because the digital blackout unfolded, information surfaced of two high-profile arrests: Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan legal professional Agather Atuhaire. The duo was reportedly taken into custody by Tanzanian authorities underneath unclear circumstances, with their whereabouts nonetheless unknown.
Talking throughout an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Could 20, Kenya’s International Cupboard Secretary Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged that the Tanzanian authorities had not offered clear particulars on the explanations for Mwangi’s arrest or the current deportations of excessive profile Kenyan nationals.
“Boniface Mwangi is in Tanzania and is being held by the authorities. We hope he will probably be launched and helped to return residence,” stated Mudavadi, including: “I feel the people who visited Tanzania appear to have rattled the administration there throughout this heightened and emotive electoral course of.”
A defiant Tundu Lissu when he appeared in courtroom on Could 20, 2025, going through prices of treason.
A defiant Tundu Lissu when he appeared in courtroom on Could 20, 2025, going through prices of treason.
An unfolding sample of suppression underneath President Samia
What’s most telling is the sample. Each time rigidity flares, whether or not on account of opposition arrests, citizen unrest, or a rogue tweet, Tanzania reaches for a similar software: the kill swap on digital speech. It’s an authoritarian reflex more and more acquainted within the area — a method of masking instability whereas projecting power.
Learn additionally: How Tanzania’s President Samia attracted over $1 billion in overseas investments
