Tanzania Blocks Access To X (Formerly Twitter) Amid Political Tensions

Tanzanian Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including Airtel, Vodacom, Halotel, Tigo, and TTCL, have reportedly blocked access to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This move has effectively shut down users’ ability to access the platform nationwide, with critical services like the Image Content Delivery Network (CDN), Mobile API, and Photo/Video Upload also being impacted.

The timing of this disruption is raising eyebrows. Many observers see it as a calculated effort by the Tanzanian government to curb the flow of information following reports of a recent prison break. This comes amid escalating political tensions, with the Tanzanian Police Force (TANPOL) issuing warnings on August 30, 2024, about alleged plans by the opposition party Chadema to raid stations holding political prisoners. According to TANPOL, these plans are being coordinated through Zoom meetings, where groups of 20 are being mobilised for potential raids on government offices and police stations.

This crackdown on digital communication follows the arrest of Chadema’s chairman, Tundu Lissu, and the head of the party’s youth wing earlier this month. In response, social activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai has taken to social media, posting the names of political prisoners and calling for public support. Using hashtags like #FreeThemAll and #FreeDeusdedithSoka, activists are rallying online to demand the release of detainees such as Jacob Mlay, Chaula, Frank Mbise, Dioniz, and Deusdedith Soka.

Digital rights groups and international human rights organisations have condemned these internet restrictions, viewing them as an assault on freedom of speech and access to information. They argue that such actions undermine democratic principles and highlight a worrying trend of digital repression in Africa.

Tanzania’s actions echo similar incidents across the continent. In Kenya, internet disruptions followed protests against the Finance Bill 2024, where many suspected government involvement despite official claims of technical issues. Nigeria also faced internet outages during the #EndBadGovernance protests earlier this month, and Senegal experienced a nationwide shutdown after election delays.

X has increasingly become a target for government restrictions, especially in Africa. In 2023, the platform suffered 10,683 hours of intentional disruption, surpassing other social media giants like Instagram and TikTok. The trend is part of a broader pattern in sub-Saharan Africa, where government-induced shutdowns have cost the region $1.74 billion in 2023 alone. The frequency of these shutdowns has been alarming, with 114 recorded across 23 countries in 2022, continuing a troubling legacy from previous years.

As the digital landscape in Africa evolves, the battle between state control and freedom of expression online continues to intensify, with platforms like X caught in the crossfire.