Tanzania has imposed restrictions on the social media platform X following cyberattacks that targeted the government and private institution accounts, the BBC reported on May 21st.
Hackers compromised the official police account, posting sexually explicit content and falsely announcing the president’s death. The police distanced itself from the posts and said a probe was taking place to find the culprits.
Soon after, data from the internet watchdog NetBlocks revealed that X had become “unreachable on major internet providers” in Tanzania. In Dar es Salaam, users continued to be unable to access the platform. The only way forward would have been through virtual private networks (VPNs), which are forbidden by law without a permit. However, users in some other regions reported continued access.
According to AP, the police said: “We are searching for those spreading false information.”
However, Information Minister Jerry Silaa acknowledged the cyberattack incident and assured members of parliament that the government had secured all affected social media accounts. Earlier, government spokesman, Gerson Msigwa, warned that the state had already initiated action against those responsible. “I assure you Tanzania is safe, and we will find those responsible,” he said.
Access issues emerged amid ongoing controversy over the deportation of several leading Kenyans. Their removal prevented them from attending the court hearing of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faced treason charges.
The president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, warned activists from the neighbouring country that she would not permit “chaos” in her nation’s internal matters. She made the statement after authorities deported Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua and others who had arrived to witness Lissu’s trial. The concern is that the region will see new tensions after Congo and Rwanda reached a draft peace deal.
Security forces also arrested Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan Agather Atuhaire in Dar es Salaam. Their location is not known and Tanzanian officials have not commented on their location.
Mwangi’s wife, Njeri, told the BBC she last heard from him on May 19th. “I’m actually concerned for his life… he’d find a way to call or text me and because he hasn’t, makes me very worried about what state he is in,” she said.
Tanganyika Law Society President Boniface Mwabukusi stated that immigration officials were holding the activists and that the society’s legal team continued to seek a just resolution.
BBC, AP
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