Tanzanian activist's social media accounts blocked after highlighting state repression

US-based Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi's social media accounts were deactivated after she used them to highlight alleged kidnappings, killings and political repression in her home country.

In a public letter posted on X and addressed to US President Donald Trump, Kimambi said her Instagram accounts, including her personal page and news platform, as well as her WhatsApp number, were deactivated, in a move she believes was intended to silence her.

According to Kimambi, who has lived in the US since 2012, her platforms became especially critical before and during Tanzania's October 29 General Election, when protests led largely by Gen Z erupted across the country.

The demonstrations were, however, met with extreme force, leaving thousands reportedly dead and many injured as security agencies cracked down.

"Every post I made emphasised peaceful, non-violent protests. On October 29 2025— the day of the General Election — protests led largely by Gen Z erupted across the country. These demonstrations were met with extreme state violence," she said.

"Thousands of young Tanzanians were killed and many more injured as security forces responded with lethal force."

Meta later confirmed, saying Kimambi's accounts were banned from Instagram and WhatsApp for repeatedly violating its rules.

However, she rejected Meta’s reasons for banning her and denied violating their terms.

"Instagram is claiming that I violated their recidivism policy. This assertion is incorrect, and it appears to be an attempt to justify actions taken after significant pressure from the Tanzanian government to silence voices speaking on behalf of the people," she told CNN's Larry Madowo.

Further, Kimambi, who was charged with economic sabotage and money laundering by Tanzania on Wednesday, cited condemnation from the African Union, SADC and the European Parliament, all of which raised concerns about the credibility of the election and the scale of the violence.

"Most Tanzanians view the President, Samia Suluhu Hassan — who claimed 97 per cent of the vote — as an illegitimate president who chose to kill thousands of Tanzanian youth instead of stepping down from power," she said.

Additionally, she argued that the loss of her accounts has severely weakened the ability of Tanzanians to organise and stay informed at a time when domestic media is under state pressure.

"Tanzania has been effectively silenced; journalists who speak out risk being kidnapped, disappeared, or killed. This leaves social-media platforms run by diaspora activists like myself as one of the last remaining channels for Tanzanians to document and expose abuses," she said.

Similarly, Kimambi added that her case is not isolated, noting that another well-known Tanzanian activist, Maria Sarungi, had her Instagram account restricted within Tanzania, noting that the timing suggests Meta may have come under pressure from Tanzanian authorities.

"I respectfully ask that you publicly urge Meta to reinstate my accounts without delay. I also request that you encourage Congress to consider legislation that grants activists and individuals with significant public platforms meaningful legal recourse when their accounts are removed without transparency, due process, or a clear path to appeal," she urged Trump.

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"I urge your administration to help ensure that Meta and similar companies uphold higher standards of transparency, neutrality, and responsibility — especially when fundamental rights and the safety of innocent people are at stake."