Tanzania has suspended the online operations of The Citizen, one of the country’s leading English-language newspapers, following the release of animated videos that depicted President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a critical light. The animations, which referenced the abduction and killing of political dissidents, sparked controversy and led to swift action from the government.
The videos, published earlier in the week by The Citizen, showed President Hassan watching news broadcasts about dissidents and victims of state repression. The clips appear to have struck a nerve, as Hassan’s administration has come under increasing criticism both domestically and internationally. Allegations have surfaced accusing Tanzanian security forces of being involved in the kidnapping and murder of opposition figures.
President Hassan, who took office in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor John Magufuli, initially earned praise for lifting restrictions on opposition rallies and the media. However, in recent months, her government has faced growing scrutiny for what critics see as a return to authoritarian practices. Since August 2024, two major rallies organized by the opposition Chadema party have been banned, and party leaders were briefly detained.
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued a directive suspending The Citizen‘s online publications for 30 days. In its statement, the TCRA said the animated clips presented “negative interpretations for the nation” and accused them of undermining national unity, peace, and cohesion. In response, The Citizen removed the videos and issued a statement explaining that the animations had been taken down due to “the misinterpretation it has generated.”
This is not the first time that President Hassan has faced criticism. Rights groups and several Western governments, including the United States, have expressed concerns over increasing repression ahead of Tanzania’s upcoming local elections in November and the general election scheduled for late 2025.
The animated videos also featured references to individual cases of political repression. One of the figures highlighted was the father of artist Shadrack Chaula, who was sentenced to two years in prison in July after setting fire to a picture of President Hassan. In the animation, Chaula’s father is heard saying, “dead or alive… I want to see my child,” while the president watches silently from a sofa.
The suspension of The Citizen raises questions about the state of press freedom in Tanzania under President Hassan’s leadership. Though initially seen as a departure from her predecessor’s hardline approach, recent actions suggest that the government may be tightening its grip on the media as political tensions escalate ahead of key elections.
