The Tanzanian government has imposed restrictions on accessing the social media platform X after a series of hacking incidents targeted official accounts belonging to both government bodies and private organizations. This escalation followed a troubling breach on Tuesday, when the national police's official account came under attack, resulting in the posting of sexually explicit content and fabricated claims regarding the president’s supposed death. The police swiftly distanced themselves from this information and initiated an official investigation to pinpoint the culprits behind the hacking.
In a worrying turn of events, internet monitoring organization Netblocks reported that users across major service providers in Tanzania faced difficulties reaching X, with noted issues especially in Dar es Salaam, where the majority of users remained unable to connect. Some individual users from other regions managed to log on but had to circumvent restrictions using virtual private networks (VPNs), which requires a special permit and is otherwise considered illegal.
In response to the hacking incident, Information Minister Jerry Silaa assured members of parliament that the affected government accounts had been secured. Gerson Msigwa, the government spokesperson, warned potential hackers of impending action against any involved parties. The disturbance over social media access comes amidst heightened tensions concerning the deportation of several prominent Kenyans who had intended to observe the court proceedings of opposition figure Tundu Lissu, accused of treason.
On Monday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan openly cautioned foreign activists against interfering with Tanzania’s sovereign matters, declaring her government would not tolerate such actions that could incite chaos. This warning coincided with the deportation of key activists, including Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua, who traveled to court on behalf of Lissu.
In related developments, activists Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan Agather Atuhaire were apprehended by suspected military personnel in Dar es Salaam, sparking concerns regarding their welfare. Mwangi's wife, Njeri, expressed deep concern over his safety, noting a lack of communication since his detention, which she found alarming.
Boniface Mwabukusi, the president of the Tanganyika Law Society, confirmed Wednesday they had received information that the detained activists were being held by immigration authorities, countering earlier claims of deportation. The society's legal team is diligently working to address their situation and ensure a fair resolution.
