Tanzanian Activist Blocks Social Media Crackdown Amid Protests

Thu Dec 04 2025 20:18:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mange Kimambi, a prominent Tanzanian activist, claims government pressure led to the removal of her Instagram accounts after inciting protests against the recent elections. The clashes post-election have raised concerns about democratic backsliding in Tanzania.

Mange Kimambi, a Tanzanian activist based in the US, has accused the Tanzanian government of orchestrating her Instagram account removal, which she used to mobilize protests against the government. This comes on the heels of widespread unrest following disputed elections. The Tanzanian government has countered claims of censorship, while international scrutiny grows over the country's democratic practices and human rights record.

Prominent Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi has accused the government of instigating the removal of her social media accounts that she has been using to mobilise Tanzanians against the government.

The former fashion model-turned-activist, based in the U.S., had nearly three million followers on Instagram and is an outspoken critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Kimambi has been accused of inciting recent protests following disputed elections that have resulted in a violent crackdown; hundreds of deaths are reported but the government has not released official casualty figures.

A representative from Meta, Instagram's parent company, stated that Kimambi's accounts were removed for violating their policy against recidivism. Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa challenged Kimambi to provide evidence of her claims alleging censorship.

Protests erupted after the October 29 elections, which reportedly saw Samia winning with about 98%, yet major opposition candidates were unable to contest. Despite international condemnation, President Samia has defended the government's actions against what was described as an attempt to overthrow her administration.

On the day Kimambi's accounts were taken down, another activist, Maria Sarungi, also faced restrictions, raising suspicions regarding government involvement pressure on Meta.

The U.S. government is currently reviewing its relations with Tanzania due to concerns over reports of human rights abuses and repression of free speech.

Popularly known as 'dada wa taifa' (sister of the nation), Kimambi has been a vocal opponent of the Tanzanian government since 2016, gaining significant influence through her social media presence.

Her recent calls for a protest scheduled for December 9 follow her claims that without these platforms, voices for the Tanzanian people are being silenced, noting her prolonged efforts for peaceful protests.

As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the Tanzanian authorities will respond to the growing internal and international scrutiny regarding the treatment of dissenters.