Tanzania has suspended the online operations of a prominent newspaper, The Citizen, following the release of advertising clips that featured President Samia Suluhu Hassan and referenced recent abductions and killings of dissidents.
The animated videos, published online earlier this week, depicted President Hassan watching news coverage of dissidents and victims of alleged state repression. This has sparked significant criticism, both domestically and internationally, as allegations have emerged that security forces are involved in the kidnapping and murder of opposition figures.
Since August, the Hassan government has prohibited two major rallies organised by the opposition Chadema party, leading to the brief detention of its leaders.
The Citizen, which is one of Tanzania’s most influential English-language publications, announced on Wednesday that its online operations have been suspended for 30 days by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority. The newspaper removed the animated advertisements, stating that they “depicted events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania.” They added that the removal was prompted by “the misinterpretation it has generated,” although they did not provide further details.
Hassan assumed the presidency after the sudden death of her authoritarian predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021. Initially praised for lifting restrictions on opposition rallies and the media, her administration has faced growing backlash from rights groups and Western governments, including the United States, who argue that there has been a resurgence of repression ahead of local elections in November and a general election scheduled for late 2025.