Tanzania blocks X amid opposition crackdown

Tanzania has reportedly imposed a restriction on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, amid a broader crackdown on opposition activities.

This development has been confirmed by Netblocks, an organisation that monitors internet disruptions.

The block comes at a critical time when political tensions are high in the East African nation.

The restriction on X coincides with recent actions by the Tanzanian government against the opposition Chadema party.

Prominent politician Tundu Lissu and four other Chadema officials have been arrested.

The arrests followed police allegations that the opposition was planning to raid police stations.

Authorities have also raised concerns about the use of Zoom by Chadema members to organise protests.

They claim that these online meetings are being utilised to strategise small-scale raids on police facilities.

The government’s move to block X has led many Tanzanians to turn to VPNs to bypass the restriction and express their opinions.

This situation underscores the growing challenges faced by citizens in accessing and sharing information in an environment of increasing government control.

The Tanzanian government had previously considered introducing a mandatory license for VPN usage last year, signaling a broader effort to control digital communication.

The restriction on X is part of a larger pattern of government efforts to manage opposition activities and control public discourse.

As the political climate becomes more charged, the ability to communicate freely online has become a critical issue.

The use of VPNs by Tanzanians highlights the ongoing struggle for digital freedom and the resistance to government-imposed censorship.