Date: June 13, 2025
We, the Zaina Foundation, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and the Tanzania Digital Rights Coalition, express our deep concern over the ongoing blocking of the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) in the United Republic of Tanzania since May 20, 2025.
Background
For more than three weeks, users across Tanzania have reported being unable to access X through most major internet service providers. This blocking has occurred without any official statement or legal justification from the government. According to credible sources, including civil society monitoring and media reports, the decision was directed by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, in coordination with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)the national agency responsible for regulating communication services.
Evidence from the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) confirms that this is not a technical issue but a deliberate act of interference. OONI data shows clear signs of intentional blocking of the X platform on multiple networks within Tanzania, reinforcing what many citizens have experienced on the ground.
The Timing: A Democratic Concern
This disruption is particularly concerning because it comes at a sensitive time, as Tanzania prepares for its general elections scheduled for October 2025. Free, open, and reliable access to digital platforms is essential during any electoral period. Social media platforms such as X are critical for:
- Sharing electoral information, updates, and civic education;
- Enabling open public dialogue and political engagement;
- Giving space to marginalized voices, including women and youth;
- Promoting transparency and real-time election monitoring;
- Allowing journalists, observers, and citizens to report incidents and concerns.
- Driving digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Blocking access to such a vital communication tool during a pre-election period raises serious red flags about the openness, fairness, and transparency of the electoral process. It threatens to silence public participation and diminish trust in the democratic system. Click here to read more JOINT STATEMENT APC & ZF