Tanzania plunged into a digital blackout on Wednesday after the government restricted access to the internet and social media platforms during a highly contested general election, a move that rights groups and observers say threatens transparency and free expression.
According to the global internet observatory NetBlocks, major disruptions began early in the morning across multiple providers, affecting services such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter).
By mid-afternoon, internet access had slowed nationwide, leaving millions of Tanzanians disconnected as voting and protests unfolded.
The shutdown came as demonstrations erupted in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma, with protesters denouncing what they called a “rigged election” after key opposition figures were barred from participating.
Authorities defended the move as a “security precaution” to prevent the spread of “misinformation” and “incitement,” but critics argued it was part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent.
“This is a digital coup against democracy,” said Deogratius Munishi, foreign affairs secretary for the opposition party CHADEMA. “The government wants to control not just the streets but also the conversation.”
Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Nape Nnauye, denied that the shutdown was politically motivated, insisting it was meant to “maintain national stability.”
The blackout coincided with the government’s imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Dar es Salaam following violent clashes between police and protesters.
Security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds demanding fair elections and the release of jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who remains in custody facing treason charges.
With traditional media under tight regulation and internet access restricted, many Tanzanians were unable to access independent news or communicate with loved ones. Businesses relying on digital payments and logistics also reported significant disruptions.
“We couldn’t process orders or mobile money transactions all day,” said Amina Hassan, a small business owner in Dar es Salaam. “It feels like we’ve gone back ten years.”
The internet blackout drew condemnation from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration to immediately restore access.
“Internet shutdowns have no place in a democracy,” Amnesty said in a statement. “They silence citizens, conceal abuses, and erode trust in public institutions.”
The African Union Election Observation Mission expressed concern that the restrictions could undermine the credibility of the electoral process, while the U.S. State Department urged Tanzanian authorities to “uphold the rights to information and communication.”
Tanzania joins a growing list of African nations—including Uganda (2021), Ethiopia (2023), and Zimbabwe (2024)—that have restricted internet access during politically sensitive moments. Analysts say the tactic is increasingly being used to stifle activism and limit international scrutiny.
“Internet shutdowns are becoming the new censorship tool of the digital age,” said Dr. Asha Nderitu, a Nairobi-based political analyst. “By cutting communication, governments are not just silencing dissent — they’re rewriting the narrative.”
As of Thursday morning, access remained intermittent in parts of Tanzania, with no official word on when full connectivity would be restored. Citizens, meanwhile, continue to express frustration and fear that their voices — and votes — have been effectively erased.
“We cannot tell our stories,” said John Lema, a university student in Dodoma. “When the internet goes dark, democracy disappears with it.”
