The Tanzania Police Force’s official X (formerly Twitter) account was compromised on Tuesday morning in a cyberattack that has sparked national concern and raised questions about digital security in the country. The hackers used the platform, which boasts over 468,000 followers, to share false and inflammatory messages, including a fabricated death report about President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The attackers also managed to conduct a live broadcast through the account.
The breach comes at a sensitive political moment for Tanzania. President Suluhu is currently locked in a contentious standoff with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who has been charged with treason. The president has recently intensified her rhetoric against foreign interference, particularly targeting regional human rights activists.
On Monday, Suluhu warned that “activists from within our region” were trying to meddle in Tanzania’s internal affairs. “We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” she said during a televised speech launching Tanzania’s new foreign policy. She further urged the country’s security and defence forces to stand firm, declaring, “Let us not give them the chance; they have already destabilised their countries and the only remaining peaceful nation is Tanzania.”
The president’s remarks followed the deportation of several Kenyan activists who attempted to attend Lissu’s treason trial. They were denied entry at the border and returned to Nairobi, an incident that has stirred criticism among human rights defenders across East Africa.
The hacking of the police force’s account adds another layer of complexity to Tanzania’s unfolding political landscape. For years, the account has served as a critical tool for informing the public on criminal matters and law enforcement efforts. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on how the breach occurred or who might be responsible.
As digital threats continue to intersect with political unrest, the Tanzanian government faces mounting pressure to bolster its cybersecurity infrastructure while also navigating growing regional scrutiny over its democratic practices and human rights record.
