Social media giant Meta has suspended the Instagram accounts of two prominent Tanzanian activists after they shared graphic content depicting the violent aftermath of the country's disputed elections.
Accounts Deactivated Amid Crackdown Coverage
On Thursday, Meta took action against activist Mange Kimambi, who boasts over 2.5 million Instagram followers. Her account was deactivated after she posted hundreds of photos showing dead and wounded Tanzanians. The images were sent to her via WhatsApp from people within Tanzania since early November.
Another activist, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, living in exile, also had her Instagram access blocked, though only within Tanzania's borders. Both women used their platforms to document what they describe as a severe crackdown by security forces following the October 29 polls, which international observers labeled as fraudulent.
The Violent Backdrop: Over 1,000 Reported Dead
The suspensions are tied to posts about election-related violence that erupted late last month. According to opposition groups and human rights organizations, more than 1,000 people were shot dead by security forces over several days of unrest. The Tanzanian government has not released an official death toll.
Kimambi, speaking from the United States last month, stated she received the disturbing images directly from Tanzanians. While not all content has been independently verified, fact-checkers from AFP and other investigative outlets have confirmed the authenticity of many photographs.
Activists Accuse Meta of Enabling a Cover-Up
In a letter to former US President Donald Trump published on X, Kimambi protested that her Instagram and WhatsApp were "deactivated after I raised awareness about a series of severe abuses and horrific events occurring in Tanzania". She listed kidnappings, killings, and the imprisonment of opposition leaders on fabricated charges.
Echoing this sentiment, Maria Sarungi Tsehai accused Meta and Instagram of enabling a cover-up of the #TanzaniaMassacre. "This is a direct attack on human rights defenders! We work to save lives by whistleblowing about abductions, corruption and killings," she posted on X.
Meta's Justification and Legal Pressure
When contacted by AFP, a Meta spokesperson provided two distinct reasons for the suspensions. The action against Kimambi was justified under the company's "policy against recidivism," suggesting she had created new accounts after previous ones were suspended.
For Tsehai's geo-block within Tanzania, Meta cited compliance with "a legal order from Tanzanian regulators." The company added that defying such orders could risk its services being blocked entirely, depriving millions of connectivity.
This incident follows early November threats by Tanzania's Attorney General, Hamza Johari, who called for Kimambi's arrest and hinted at attempts to extradite her from the United States.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms, government regulation, and activists using digital tools to document human rights abuses during political crises.
