Tanzania has blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) after the country’s police account was hacked and used to falsely announce the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Rather than clarifying the situation through official communication, authorities chose to restrict access to the platform entirely.
Tanzania has cut off internet or social media four times since 2017, including during the 2020 election. Digital shutdowns—whether full blackouts or targeted platform bans—have become common responses to political unrest, elections, and, increasingly, efforts to control public narratives. In 2024, the continent saw a record 21 shutdowns across 15 countries.
Some shutdowns, like Sudan’s during conflict or Ethiopia’s in regions like Tigray and Amhara, are linked to ongoing violence. Kenya, too, has previously banned Telegram during national exams as it alleged that the exam papers leaked on the platform; Uganda also banned Facebook for four years, citing political interference. Governments often claim they’re protecting national security or stopping misinformation. But many observers believe the real reason is to control information.
These shutdowns are now used to silence dissent, prevent protests, and avoid scrutiny. The impact goes far beyond politics—businesses suffer, essential services are cut off, and public trust takes a hit. In 2024 alone, Africa lost an estimated $1.5 billion due to internet disruptions.
Tanzania’s social media block this week is more than a reaction to a hack. It’s the continuation of a regional pattern where restricting access to the internet is no longer the exception—but increasingly the rule.
