Eugine Wabwile 
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu delivers a speech during a press conference as she greets Finland's President in Dar es Salaam on May 14, 2025. Finland's President Alexander Stubb is in Tanzania for a three-day state visit from May 14 to 16, 2025. (Photo by ERICKY BONIPHACE / AFP) (Photo by ERICKY BONIPHACE/AFP via Getty Images)
In a surprising turn of events,Tanzania has blocked access to social media platform X after reports surfaced that the country’s police force account was hacked. The hackers allegedly used the account to spread fake news about President Samia Suluhu, prompting the government to take swift action.
Netblock, an internet observatory group, confirmed on Tuesday that X was unreachable in Tanzania, causing a stir among internet users in the East African nation.
This move comes at a time when Tanzania is gearing up for its General Election in October, with tensions running high as opposition leader Tindu Lissu faces trial for treason.The situation escalated when Kenyan activists and political leaders traveled to Tanzania in solidarity with Lissu, only to be arrested and deported by President Suluhu’s administration.
Among those deported were former Chief Justices David Maraga and Willy Mutunga, activists Boniface Mwangi and Hanifa Adan, and former Justice Minister Martha Karua.The activists had advocated for Lissu’s fair trial through social media platforms, leading to calls for his release.
However, their actions were met with resistance from the Tanzanian government, with some activists being held at the airport and blocked from attending the trial.President Suluhu, known for her firm stance, criticized the Kenyan activists for attempting to disrupt the peace in Tanzania and interfering in the country’s affairs.She warned that her administration would not tolerate foreign activists entering Tanzania and causing unrest.
The restriction on social media access also follows calls for regulation from other leaders in the East African region, with Central Organisations of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli urging President William Ruto to monitor digital platforms to promote national stability.
EDITOR’S PICK!
As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of Boniface Mwangi remains uncertain, with conflicting reports about his deportation.The events surrounding the blocking of X in Tanzania highlight the growing tensions in the region and the need for effective communication and regulation in the digital age. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
