Internet restrictions reported in Tanzania after 5-day shut-down

The internet was shut down in Tanzania on October 29 following a tense election day marked by demonstrations and unrest.

Live metrics published by NetBlocks on Monday evening showed widespread restrictions to multiple social media and messaging platforms.

A graph highlighting the reachability of different websites remained down, as others could not be accessed at all.

Rights body Amnesty International has also raised an alarm on the internet restrictions, terming it a violation of human rights.

“Imposing internet shutdowns, especially when people are protesting, stops important information from reaching citizens—such as how to find areas of safety or contact emergency services,” Amnesty International said on Monday evening.

The rights body also noted that due to the internet restrictions, international and local organizations will be hindered from documenting human rights violations—such as killings or the disproportionate use of force by the police or military.

When internet services were partially restored on Monday evening, Tanzanians received a message from police, warning them against sharing photos and videos that could cause panic. 

Meanwhile, a curfew, starting at 6 pm, is still in place and police have threatened to take action against those who sought to disrupt the country's peace.

"Even if you see there's propaganda of any kind on social media about any area of the Dar es Salaam region, know the power that will be used to control the matter is seven times more than the force applied for planning it," said Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila.

Samia Suluhu Hassan won the elections with 98 per cent of the vote according to the electoral commission and was sworn in as President for a second term.

Samia, 65, officially took the reins of power on Monday at the State House in the capital Dodoma, as the public was not allowed to attend and only a few guests were invited.

Tanzania's main opposition party, Chadema, said on Friday that hundreds of people had been killed in the protests, but the government has dismissed the alleged death toll as "hugely exaggerated" and has rejected criticisms of its human rights record.

The internet shutdown has also crippled the verification of assault and murder claims.

President Samia's victory has been harshly criticized by activists and human rights groups, who term it a flawed election.