On Tuesday, Tanzania’s internet service providers (ISPs) Halotel, Airtel, Liquid Telecom, Habari Node, and Vodacom, blocked access to the social media platform X, according to the London-based internet freedom monitor NetBlocks. This action followed the hacking of the Tanzania Police Force’s X account, which posted false information about President Samia Suluhu’s death. NetBlocks data indicated that X was inaccessible across all major ISPs in Tanzania. The compromised police account, which had over 470,000 followers and even held a live broadcast, was believed to have prompted the government’s decision to restrict access to the social media platform. Authorities later regained control of the account and stated they were investigating the incident. The hack occurred amid ongoing controversy surrounding President Suluhu’s administration. Several East African activists and lawyers, including Kenyan activist and journalist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire, were arrested and detained in Dar es Salaam on Monday. Their whereabouts remain unknown despite their Tanzanian lawyers being informed of their impending deportation, according to Amnesty International. The arrests followed the detention and subsequent deportation of PLP Kenya leader and former Justice Minister Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council member Gloria Kimani, activists Lynn Ngugi, Hanifa Adan, and Hussein Khalid. They were detained upon arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam for Lissu’s treason trial observation. In a televised speech during the launch of the country’s new foreign policy on Monday, President Suluhu expressed concern over foreign activists attempting to interfere in Tanzania’s affairs. She urged security and defence organs “not to allow ill-mannered individuals from other countries to cross the line here.” Critics accuse President Suluhu of reverting Tanzania to the authoritarian rule of her predecessor John Magufuli. If you have any news tips, please email them to Editor@Kahawatungu.com – this is our only official communication channel.