Tanzania blocks access to X

The blackout was confirmed by the internet observatory organisation, NetBlocks.

For the second time in less than ten months, Tanzania has blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The internet observatory group NetBlocks confirmed the disruption, reporting that the platform became inaccessible across major internet providers in Tanzania.

In a statement posted on X, NetBlocks said: "Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the president has died, angering the country's leadership."

The disruption follows a cybersecurity breach involving the official X account of the Tanzania Police Force (TANPOL), which was hijacked earlier in the day.

The attackers falsely announced the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan - a claim swiftly dismissed by the government.

Just a day earlier, President Suluhu had ordered police to take action to "protect" social media platforms, a move she described as necessary to safeguard national interests.

The blackout comes at a time when the leading opposition figure Tundu Lissu remains imprisoned on treason charges.

Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, is a prominent member of the Chadema party, which has been barred from participating in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for October.

Adding to the unease, the whereabouts of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire remain unknown after they were detained by Tanzanian police on Sunday. Authorities have not released any information regarding their status or charges.