Keypoints:
- Kimambi alleges state role in Meta ban
- Tanzania faces criticism over election unrest
- US warns ties at risk over repression
TANZANIAN activist Mange Kimambi has accused the government of pressuring Meta to remove her social media accounts, saying the bans are part of a wider effort to silence dissent following disputed elections and deadly unrest in the East African state.
Kimambi, a former fashion model turned activist based in the United States, was a vocal critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and had almost three million followers on Instagram before her pages went offline. She alleges the timing of the removal is linked to her calls for demonstrations after the October 29 election.
A Meta spokesperson told the BBC that her accounts were removed for ‘violating our recidivism policy’, which restricts people from creating new pages after repeated violations of the platform’s rules. Tanzania’s government spokesman, Gerson Msigwa, dismissed her claims and said Kimambi should ‘provide proof’.
Meta cites earlier violations
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, said: ‘We do not allow people to create new accounts that are similar to those we’ve previously removed for violating our Community Standards.’ The company did not comment on Kimambi’s accusation of political pressure.
Her removal comes amid scrutiny of Tanzania’s October 29 vote, which President Samia won with about 98 percent after her main opponents were absent. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu is detained on treason allegations, while another challenger, Luhaga Mpina, was barred on technical grounds.
Rights groups say hundreds of people were killed in a security crackdown during protests against the result. The government has not released casualty figures.
President defends crackdown
Despite widespread criticism, President Samia has defended the security response, arguing the protests amounted to an attempt to ‘overthrow the government’. She has signalled authorities will confront new demonstrations planned for next week.
Last month, Attorney-General Hamza Johari appeared to refer to Kimambi when he questioned how ‘one person outside the country’ could direct protests through social media. ‘We must arrest her,’ he said. Kimambi denies incitement and says she only promoted peaceful action.
Activist appeals to US president
In a letter posted to her X account, which remains active, Kimambi urged US President Donald Trump to encourage Meta to restore her pages. ‘For months, I used my platforms to highlight these issues and consistently encouraged peaceful protests,’ she wrote.
Known to supporters as dada wa taifa (‘sister of the nation’), Kimambi rose to prominence during the presidency of the late John Magufuli in 2016. In 2021, she publicly backed Samia after Magufuli’s death and was even photographed alongside her during the president’s first official visit to the US. Their relationship later broke down, and Kimambi now uses her platform to sharply criticise the administration.
Criminal case dismissed as political
Kimambi faces a money laundering charge over more than $56,000 prosecutors say she earned without media accreditation and through intimidation. The case, which dates back several years, was postponed in a Dar es Salaam court on Thursday and will resume on 28 January.
Before her Instagram pages were removed, she called the allegations ‘cooked’ and claimed her bank account was frozen last year. The government has not responded to her claim that the charges are politically motivated and has directed questions to the ongoing legal process.
US warns relationship at risk
The removal of Kimambi’s accounts comes as Washington says it is reviewing its relationship with Tanzania. In a statement reported by the BBC, the US State Department said Tanzania had restricted free speech and religious freedom, blocked US investment and failed to prevent violence related to the vote.
‘The future of our bilateral relationship will be based on the government’s actions,’ the statement added. Tanzanian officials have not yet responded.
