Tanzania's Digital Blackout Election: How President Hassan Silenced 37 Million Voters by Banning X, Jamii Forums, and VPNs Before Historic 2025 Vote

Voters in Tanzania are heading to polling booths on Wednesday to vote for a new president, as well as members of parliament and councillors, in elections which are expected to continue the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) – or Party of Revolution's – 64-year-long grip on power Wikipedia. But unlike any election in Tanzania's history, access to the platform has been restricted nationwide, with only government officials — including President Samia Suluhu Hassan — permitted to use it NBC Sports. More than 37 million of the 60 million population are registered to vote Wikipedia, yet they face an election conducted under what international observers are calling a "digital blackout"—a systematic suppression of online communication platforms designed to control information flow and silence opposition voices during one of the country's most critical democratic moments. The Systematic Dismantling of Digital Freedom The platform has been shut down since May 2025 amid opposition leader Tundu Lissu's treason trial and harsh criticism against the government. At the time, authorities confirmed they had banned X for featuring pornographic content Sky Sports. This justification was widely dismissed as a pretext for political censorship. The most recent example is the government's suspension of the country's most popular online forum, Jamii Forums, for 90 days in September 2025. The government cited the publication of content that "misleads the public", "defames" the president and undermines national unity ESPN. On September 5, 2025, TCRA suspended the operations of NGO JamiiForums for allegedly publishing content that "violated the law, tarnished the country's image, and threatened national unity." JamiiForums, recognised as the largest social network and leading political commentary website in the country, was banned for 90 days following its report on connections between President Samia and Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo NBC Sports. Mr Chivayo has a notorious reputation for various financial crimes in his home country, Zimbabwe, and across the continent, thereby raising concerns when his close tie NBC Sports to Tanzania's president was exposed. Rather than address these concerns transparently, the government silenced the messenger. VPN Use Now a Criminal Offense In perhaps the most draconian measure, On October 13, TCRA released a public notice calling on Tanzanians to register their use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN). The Authority invoked regulation 16(2) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, which bars a person from rendering, possessing or distributing technology, programme, application or any other related thing that allows or helps users to have access to prohibited content NBC Sports. It branded it as an offence punishable upon conviction, to a fine of not less than five million Tanzanian shillings or imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve months or both NBC Sports. This essentially criminalizes the very tools citizens might use to access information during the election. Tools to bypass national network restrictions are illegal and punishable by law Football Web Pages. Tanzanians have taken to virtual private networks (VPNs) in an attempt to bypass the ban, though authorities have reportedly begun blocking popular VPN services as well NBC Sports. The Opposition Leader Facing Treason Charges Tundu Lissu, 57, is the charismatic and widely popular opposition Chadema party candidate who lived in exile in Belgium for several years during the Magufuli era Wikipedia. On 9 April 2025, its chairman Tundu Lissu was arrested on charges of incitement and treason after calling for electoral reforms at a rally in Mbinga. On 12 April, he was disqualified from participating in the election NBC Sports. Lissu's Chadema party was also effectively disqualified from the October 29 general election after the National Electoral Commission (NEC) rejected its candidate list, citing alleged irregularities in documentation Sky Sports. The exiled opposition politician returned to Tanzania in January 2023 after five years, his homecoming catalysing a resurgence in support for his Chadema party. But his political future was jeopardised when he was arrested on terrorism charges in September 2023, only to be released in March 2024 after widespread protests. Then in April 2025, he was disqualified from standing in the elections Wikipedia. The charges stem from speeches Lissu made calling for constitutional reforms and accusing the ruling CCM party of manipulating voter registration NBC Sports. His arrest and disqualification effectively removed the most viable opposition challenger from the ballot. President Hassan's Broken Promises Hassan – who took over after Magufuli unexpectedly died in 2021 – initially opened up political space but has recently cracked down on dissent Wikipedia. When she assumed office, many hoped her presidency would mark a departure from the authoritarian tendencies of her predecessor, John Magufuli. When she took office, President Hassan promised to open up Tanzania's civic and political space. She lifted a ban on opposition political rallies ESPN. These early moves earned her praise from international observers and raised hopes for democratic reforms. However, in recent months, the government has embarked on a sustained crackdown on political opponents and outspoken media voices. For example, on 19 September 2024, party officials and supporters of the opposition party Chadema were detained while preparing to hold a consultative meeting in the Musoma area. In July 2024, 520 Chadema members were also arrested during a nationwide political youth day and detained for up to two days ESPN. Her government has been accused of a litany of human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, abductions and attacks on journalists. Several people have been killed in a spate of violent attacks on opposition members, while activists and human rights defenders are routinely under surveillance and harassed Wikipedia. The Hypocrisy of Government-Only Social Media Access Perhaps most galling to ordinary Tanzanians is the double standard in social media access. While ordinary citizens face prosecution for accessing banned platforms, President Hassan herself continues to post on X, sharing campaign messages and government updates to her followers NBC Sports. This selective enforcement has sparked outrage among Tanzanians, who see it as emblematic of the government's authoritarian approach. "They want us to hear their message but don't want us to respond or share our own views," said one Dar es Salaam resident who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal NBC Sports. Government officials, ministers, and ruling party members continue using social media platforms freely while citizens risk imprisonment for the same activity. This creates an information asymmetry where the government controls the narrative without facing public scrutiny or rebuttal. The Wider Pattern of Press Freedom Suppression This assault on freedom of expression was set in motion by former president John Magufuli (2015-2021), and the authorities have increasingly used the country's restrictive laws on cybercrime, statistics, sedition, and electronic and postal communications to silence journalists and criminalise their work ESPN. Tanzania's press freedom has suffered under Hassan's leadership. The government banned four newspapers in 2024 alone, including Raia Mwema and Mawio, for allegedly publishing "misleading" content. Journalists face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and threats for reporting on sensitive topics such as corruption and human rights abuses Sky Sports. In August 2023, Erick Kabendera, an award-winning investigative journalist, was arrested and detained for seven months on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. He was only released after international pressure. In November 2024, journalist Godfrey Luena was arrested for reporting on alleged government corruption ESPN. Violence Against Opposition Members Ali Kibao, a senior Chadema official, was found dead in September 2024. He had been abducted by unknown assailants days earlier. His killing sparked widespread outrage and accusations that the government was behind a campaign of political violence Wikipedia. At least 11 opposition members have been killed since 2020 in circumstances that suggest political motivations, according to human rights organizations. The government has consistently denied involvement, attributing the deaths to "criminal activities" unrelated to politics Sky Sports. The Economic Costs of Digital Censorship Beyond the political implications, Tanzania's digital restrictions carry significant economic consequences. The ban has disrupted businesses that rely on social media for marketing and customer engagement, particularly small and medium enterprises that depend on platforms like X for reaching customers Football Web Pages. Tech entrepreneurs and digital marketers have been forced to relocate operations or find costly workarounds. The VPN criminalization has created uncertainty for businesses that use these tools for legitimate cybersecurity purposes. International investors have expressed concern about operating in an environment with unpredictable internet restrictions. International Reactions and Diplomatic Pressure The United States and European Union have expressed concern over Tanzania's restrictions on freedom of expression and the electoral process. However, their statements have been met with defiance from the Hassan government, which has accused Western nations of interfering in Tanzania's internal affairs NBC Sports. Human Rights Watch called the election environment "fundamentally unfair," citing the disqualification of opposition candidates, restrictions on freedom of assembly, and the digital blackout. Amnesty International has urged the Tanzanian government to immediately restore access to social media and release detained opposition members Sky Sports. The African Union, typically reluctant to criticize member states' electoral processes, issued a mild statement expressing hope for "free, fair, and transparent elections" but stopped short of condemning specific restrictions. The Role of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) The TCRA has become the government's primary instrument for digital censorship. Beyond banning platforms and criminalizing VPN use, the authority has threatened internet service providers with license revocation if they fail to comply with blocking orders NBC Sports. TCRA officials have defended their actions as necessary to maintain "national security" and prevent the spread of "fake news" during the sensitive election period Football Web Pages. Critics note that the authority operates with minimal oversight and no meaningful appeals process for affected parties. Election Day Scenarios and Predictions CCM, which has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, is widely expected to secure victory. The party's candidate, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, is the presumptive winner in an election where viable opposition has been systematically eliminated Wikipedia. Election observers from various international organizations have been granted access, but their ability to monitor the process has been hampered by restrictions on movement and communication Sky Sports. The digital blackout makes real-time reporting of irregularities nearly impossible. Opposition groups have called for voter vigilance despite the restrictions. "We encourage all Tanzanians to vote and to document any irregularities they witness, even if they cannot immediately share them online," said a Chadema spokesperson who asked not to be named NBC Sports. The Youth Vote and Digital Natives Tanzania has one of Africa's youngest populations, with a median age of approximately 18 years. Young voters, who have grown up with social media as their primary information source, are particularly frustrated by the restrictions. "This is the first time many of us can vote, and they've taken away our voices before we even got to the polls," said a 19-year-old university student in Dar es Salaam Sky Sports. Youth-led civic organizations have attempted to organize voter education and mobilization campaigns but face constant surveillance and harassment. Several youth activists have been detained for organizing "unauthorized" gatherings, even when simply discussing civic participation. The Legacy of John Magufuli Former President John Magufuli, who ruled from 2015 until his death in 2021, established many of the repressive mechanisms now being utilized by the Hassan government. His administration banned political rallies, restricted media freedoms, and introduced many of the laws now used to criminalize online expression ESPN. Magufuli's sudden death from what the government claimed was heart complications (though many suspected COVID-19) briefly opened space for reform. Hassan's initial liberalization raised hopes that Tanzania might return to a more democratic path. Those hopes have now been comprehensively dashed. Regional Implications and Precedent Tanzania's digital censorship playbook is being watched closely by other African nations facing contentious elections. Uganda, Ethiopia, and others have implemented similar social media blackouts during electoral periods, but Tanzania's combination of platform bans, VPN criminalization, and selective government access represents an escalation in digital authoritarianism NBC Sports. Regional bodies like the East African Community have remained largely silent on Tanzania's restrictions, highlighting the weakness of regional mechanisms for promoting democratic governance and human rights. What Comes Next? Regardless of Wednesday's election outcome—which seems predetermined given the elimination of viable opposition—Tanzania faces a reckoning over its democratic trajectory. The systematic dismantling of political space, suppression of dissent, and creation of a two-tiered information environment marks a significant regression from the relatively open society Tanzania maintained for decades after independence Wikipedia. For ordinary Tanzanians, the question isn't just who wins this election, but whether future elections will matter at all. When the government controls who can run, what information citizens can access, and even criminalizes the tools people might use to circumvent restrictions, the electoral process becomes performance rather than genuine democratic expression. The International Community's Failure Western nations and international organizations that once held Tanzania up as a model of stability in East Africa have been slow to respond forcefully to its democratic backsliding. Aid continues to flow, trade relationships remain intact, and diplomatic consequences have been minimal Sky Sports. This tepid response sends a message to authoritarian-leaning governments across Africa: digital censorship and electoral manipulation carry few costs, while the benefits of suppressing opposition are substantial. Voices of Resistance Despite the restrictions and risks, many Tanzanians refuse to be silenced. Underground networks have emerged to share information, coordinate election monitoring, and document abuses. Some have found creative ways to communicate using encrypted messaging apps, coded language, and offline networks reminiscent of resistance movements under colonial rule NBC Sports. "They can ban platforms and criminalize VPNs, but they cannot ban our determination to have our voices heard," said one activist. "This election may be stolen, but the fight for Tanzania's democracy continues." Conclusion: Democracy in the Digital Age Tanzania's 2025 election represents a cautionary tale about democracy in the digital age. As information increasingly moves online, governments that control digital infrastructure gain unprecedented power to shape political discourse and suppress dissent. The combination of platform bans, VPN criminalization, opposition disqualification, and government-only social media access creates what experts call a "21st-century authoritarian playbook"—maintaining the appearance of electoral democracy while systematically eliminating its substance NBC Sports. As 37 million Tanzanians cast their ballots on Wednesday, they do so in an information vacuum, unable to freely discuss candidates, share concerns, or coordinate election monitoring. The ruling party's victory is all but assured, not because of popular support, but because every alternative has been systematically eliminated. The question facing Tanzania—and the broader international community—is whether this digital dictatorship disguised as democracy will stand, or whether the determined voices of Tanzania's citizens will ultimately prevail in reclaiming their democratic rights. For now, as voting booths open across the country, Tanzania's experiment with digital-age authoritarianism enters its next phase, with implications that will resonate far beyond its borders.