Tanzanian activist blocked on Instagram for inciting election protests

Prominent Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi has accused the government of instigating the deletion of a social media account she used to mobilize Tanzanians against the government.

The US-based former fashion model-turned-activist is an outspoken critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and has nearly 3 million followers on Instagram.

She has been accused of inciting recent deadly election protests, prompting calls for her arrest.

A spokesperson for Meta told the BBC that her Instagram account “was removed for violating our recidivism policy.” Tanzanian government spokesman Gerson Msigwa told the BBC she should “provide evidence for her claims”.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, said: “We don’t allow people to create new accounts that are similar to accounts we have previously removed for violating our community standards.”

Last month, Tanzanian Attorney General Hamza Johari, believed to be referring to Kimambi, said it was “impossible” how “a foreigner” could direct people through social media.

“(She) just tells people to do things like this (protest) and they actually do it and she starts bragging… We have to arrest her,” he said.

The October 29 election, which Samia won with around 98% of the vote, was fraught with controversy as her main rivals were unable to participate – Tundu Lissu was detained on treason charges and Luhaga Mpina was banned from entering the country on technical grounds, sparking widespread protests.

Opposition and human rights groups believe hundreds of people were killed in the security crackdown that followed. The government has not released any casualty figures.

Despite widespread international condemnation, Samia has since argued that the use of force against protesters “prepared to overthrow the government” was “necessary.”

Samia said on Monday her government was ready to confront protesters at new protests planned for next Tuesday.

Kimambi noted that on the same day her account was deleted, the account of another prominent Tanzanian activist, Maria Sarungi, was also restricted.

“I believe this provides further evidence that Mehta may have been pressured by the Tanzanian government to silence voices speaking out for the people,” she wrote on her X account, which is still available.

She also asked US President Donald Trump to urge Mehta to reinstate her page.

“For months, I have used my platform to highlight these issues and continue to encourage peaceful protests because many Tanzanians feel there are no safe options to express dissent,” she said.

Kimbi’s account was removed as the United States said it was reviewing ties with Tanzania, citing growing concerns about democratic backsliding and human rights issues.

In a statement issued by the U.S. State Department on Thursday, Washington accused the Tanzanian government of suppressing religious and free speech, blocking U.S. investment and failing to prevent violence before and after the Oct. 29 election.

These actions put U.S. citizens, visitors, and U.S. interests at risk and threatened decades of security and development cooperation, the report said.

“The future of our bilateral relationship will depend on the government’s actions,” the statement said.

Tanzanian authorities have yet to respond.

Kimambi, popularly known as “dada wa taifa” (sister of the nation), built her influence primarily through social media platforms and began opposing the Tanzanian government in 2016 during the late John Magufuli’s term as president.

Two years later, she tried unsuccessfully to mobilize nationwide protests against his government.

In 2021, she publicly switched sides, supporting Samia when she came to power after Magufuli’s death, even though they were both from the CCM party that had ruled Tanzania since independence. Kimambi even attended Samia’s first official visit to the United States, and the two were photographed together.

However, the relationship later soured and Kimbi now uses the same platform to harshly criticize President Samia and his government.

Her critics dismissed her political activism and accused her of using offensive language when criticizing the president and other senior government officials.

Kimbi faces charges of economic sabotage in a Dar es Salaam court on Thursday. The case was postponed to January 28, and state prosecutors said the matter remained under investigation.

She faces one count of money laundering in relation to more than $56,000 (£42,000) in proceeds of crime obtained about three years ago.

She allegedly obtained the money through her work as an unaccredited journalist and was paid through intimidation tactics. The case was initially filed on August 28, alleging she obtained the money in 2022.

She wrote a post on her Instagram page before it became inaccessible, calling the case “premature,” adding that it “doesn’t change her view of the president.”

She said the case was related to her account at a bank in Tanzania, which held $40,000. She claimed the last transaction in the account was in 2023 and was frozen last year.

The government has not yet responded to accusations that the charges are politically motivated and has previously informed the BBC of the court case.

Kimambi has recently made numerous posts on Instagram calling on Tanzanians to boycott the government and participate in protests, including one planned for December 9. She also shared images of the aftermath of the election protests.