Tanzanian Activist Faces Social Media Suppression Amid Election Protests

Sun Dec 07 2025 03:09:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mange Kimambi's Instagram accounts were removed after she mobilized protests against the Tanzanian government, raising concerns of political suppression and human rights violations.

Mange Kimambi, a prominent Tanzanian activist living in the US, has accused her government of orchestrating the shutdown of her Instagram accounts following her efforts to mobilize protests against President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her removal from the platform coincided with a crackdown on dissent after disputed elections, raising alarms about the silencing of voices advocating for change in Tanzania. The activist, who commands a following of nearly three million, is now facing legal charges as authorities seek to quell opposition.

Prominent Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi has accused the government of instigating the removal of her social media accounts that she has been using to mobilize Tanzanians against the government. The former fashion model-turned-activist, based in the US, is a vocal critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and had amassed nearly three million followers on Instagram.

Kimambi has been implicated in inciting election protests, leading to calls for her arrest. A Meta spokesperson indicated that her accounts were removed for violating their recidivism policy. The Tanzanian government has challenged her claims and demanded evidence.

We don't allow people to create new accounts that are similar to those we've previously removed for violating our Community Standards, Meta stated.

In reference to recent events, Tanzania's Attorney-General remarked on how it is unreasonable for someone outside the country to direct protests via social media, openly calling for her arrest. Following the disputed elections on October 29, in which President Samia reportedly won with 98% of the vote amid a suppression of opposition candidates, there have been widespread protests leading to numerous casualties.

Despite international outcry over the government's actions, President Samia has justified the use of force against alleged revolutionary protests and has signaled readiness to respond to ongoing demonstrations.

On the day of her accounts' removal, another activist's accounts were restricted, prompting Kimambi to suggest that the Tanzanian government may have coerced Meta into silencing dissenting voices.

In recent communications, Kimambi has called upon Tanzanians to engage in peaceful protests and highlighted the urgent need for a platform to voice grievances. The U.S. has indicated concerns over democratic deteriorations in Tanzania, intensifying scrutiny of its relationship with the east African country.

Notably, Kimambi, known as dada wa taifa, began her activism in 2016 and has continuously faced political backlash. Currently embroiled in legal troubles including charges related to alleged financial misconduct, Kimambi asserts that these charges are politically motivated and designed to undermine her activism.