Tanzania Restores Internet Access After Five-Day Election Shutdown, Restrictions Remain
DAR ES SALAAM – Internet access in Tanzania has been partially restored following a five-day shutdown coinciding with the country’s general election on October 29th. However, restrictions to multiple social media and messaging platforms, including TikTok, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, are reportedly still in effect as of November 3rd.
The blackout, which impacted communications and online payments, drew strong condemnation from media and human rights organizations concerned about government censorship of political issues. Global internet monitor NetBlocks reported ongoing restrictions even after the restoration of broader connectivity, stating the incident ”continues to limit election openness and the free flow of details.”
This is not the first instance of internet restrictions in Tanzania.Amnesty International has documented three such occurrences in under a year. The action mirrors a growing trend across Africa, with recent blocks reported in Mozambique and Mauritius in late 2024.
Beyond Africa, governments in Nepal, Sudan, and Vietnam have also blocked voice and video calls or social media access this year. The most severe recent case occurred in afghanistan, where authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout enforcing new morality restrictions.
The African Union’s African Commission on human and Peoples’ Rights has emphasized the critical role of internet access in ensuring free,fair,and credible elections and advancing human rights.
