Access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was blocked across Tanzania on Wednesday following the hacking of an official police account that falsely announced the death of the country’s president, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
The disruption came in the wake of mounting tensions, including the recent arrest and disappearance of two East African activists, Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist, Agather Atuhaire who were in Tanzania to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Users in Tanzania were unable to access X without using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), an AFP correspondent confirmed.
“Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the President has died, angering the country’s leadership,” NetBlocks said in a statement.
Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communications, and Technology, Jerry William Silaa, confirmed the hacking incident during a parliamentary session. He also disclosed that the YouTube account of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) was similarly compromised.
“The reason these accounts were compromised is that their security protocols were not sufficiently robust. These accounts have since been restored,” Silaa said.
In response, Tanzanian police have launched a manhunt for those behind the cyberattack and the dissemination of false information. Authorities have also warned citizens against sharing or amplifying the fake news.
The crackdown on digital access and the arrests come at a politically sensitive time, with the country preparing for general elections in October and heightened scrutiny of opposition figures and civic actors.
