#KeepItOn: the Government of Tanzania and internet service providers must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 local elections

For the attention of Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania,

CC: Hon. Jerry Silaa (MP), Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology; Hon. Hamad M Masauni (MP), Minister of Home Affairs; Dr. Jabir K. Bakari, The Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA); Mr. Phillip Besiimire, The Executive Director Vodacom Tanzania Plc; Mr. Jerome Albou, The Interim Chief Executive Officer of Honora Tanzania Public Limited Company (“Tigo. Tanzania”);  Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Tanzania; Halotel and all respective service providers of digital platforms and internet services.

Countries across Africa, and the world, must ensure access to open and secure internet during moments of national importance. As the people of Tanzania head to the 2024 local elections, we urge the government to #KeepItOn.

We, the undersigned organizations and members of the #KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 330 organizations from 105 countries working to end internet shutdowns —  appeal to you, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to publicly commit to ensuring that people in the Republic of Tanzania have unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming local elections on November 27 and beyond. 

As the people of Tanzania prepare to vote, we urge your government to adopt, implement, and enforce measures that safeguard human rights by enabling unrestricted access to information and avenues for freedom of expression, assembly, and association both online and off. This is essential for ensuring an inclusive, free, and fair election process.

In a democratic society, the internet and social media platforms play a critical role in enhancing participatory governance, advancing inclusiveness and transparency, and enabling people to exercise their fundamental human rights — principles enshrined in Tanzania’s Constitution. Digital platforms enable public discourse about election processes and political candidates, allowing voters to hold governments accountable. Internet access also facilitates the essential work of journalists, human rights defenders, and election observers who monitor, document, and report on election processes.

Tanzania’s history of shutdowns

Over the past years, Tanzanian authorities have resorted to internet disruptions during elections, severely hampering peoples’ right to participate in civic activities through digital platforms. Internet services were shut down for the first time in Tanzania during the 2020 general elections when authorities restricted people’s rights by blocking digital platforms, limiting their access to information, and curtailing free expression online and off.

On August 30, 2024, several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mobile companies operating in Tanzania, including Airtel, Vodacom, Halotel, and TTCL, blocked access to the X platform for close to 24 hours, without explanation. The blocking of X allegedly coincided with an online campaign by activists regarding reports of murders, kidnappings, and disappearances in the country. The blocking was preceded by a statement from the Tanzanian police force warning opposition politicians against alleged plans to mobilize youth via online meetings on Zoom, to storm police stations in search of three youth leaders who were abducted by authorities, and the refusal of Tanzania’s High Court to initiate a judicial inquiry in response to reported abductions of over 200 people.  

Prior to the blocking of X, there had been repeated calls by members of the ruling party as well as religious leaders for the blocking of X. These calls were strongly condemned by rights groups including the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG) citing that the platform serves an essential role in enabling critical national discourse and information sharing. Even though the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) clarified at the time that it had no intention of shutting down the X platform or any other digital platforms in cyberspace, it reportedly deleted its two accounts on the X platform without explanation, thereby raising concerns among rights groups if this action could signal an alarming trend towards censoring or restricting the platform. 

Moreover, on October 3, 2024, the TCRA suspended Mwananchi Communications Digital for 30 days, affecting its operations across all social media platforms. This action was taken due to allegations of the publication of “prohibited content.”

The implications of these developments are profound. They not only challenge the foundational principles of democracy and civil liberties but also highlight the urgent need for comprehensive policies that protect fundamental rights and promote an open and secure internet for all. As Tanzania approaches the next electoral cycle, it is crucial for policymakers to actively engage with civil society, advocacy groups, and citizens working to advance the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, fostering a truly inclusive democratic process. 

Internet shutdowns harm human rights, worsen crises, and hinder information flows

Internet shutdowns and violence are closely intertwined. Cutting off internet access during elections limits the flow of crucial and timely information, while also suppressing civic participation. Shutdowns also create information vacuums, further fueling the spread of hateful and inciting speech, misinformation, and disinformation. 

Shutdowns during elections make it extremely difficult for journalists to report from the ground and verify news from their sources, leaving people inside and outside Tanzania without access to trustworthy and credible information. Shutdowns may also hinder the vital election monitoring work undertaken by Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission, national and international election observer groups, political parties, media outlets, and civil society. 

Finally, internet shutdowns also impact people’s livelihoods and entire economies, costing countries, businesses, and public organizations that rely on the digital economy billions of dollars.  Shutting down the internet would therefore be counterproductive to recent efforts by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Information Technology towards the critical role of the communications sector in boosting Tanzania’s socio-economic development and as an enabler in various industries.

 Internet shutdowns contravene national and international laws 

Freedom of expression and the right to access information are enshrined in the constitution of Tanzania. Tanzania is also a signatory to regional and international frameworks, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which protect and promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, assembly, and access to information — both online and off. The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa 2019 also calls on States not to “engage in or condone any disruption of access to the internet and other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.” 

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has severally underscored the importance of internet connectivity. In 2024, through its resolution 580 0f 2024, the ACHPR specifically called on state parties to ensure open and secure internet access before, during, and after elections. Moreover, the UN Secretary-General and other experts have affirmed that “blanket internet shutdowns and generic blocking and filtering of services are considered by United Nations human rights mechanisms to be in violation of international human rights law.”  

Telcos must respect human rights

Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, telecommunications companies are responsible for preventing or mitigating any potential human rights harms they may cause or contribute to, and for providing remedies for any harms when and if they occur.  Telecommunications companies and ISPs operating in Tanzania — including  Vodacom, TiGO, Airtel Tanzania, Halotel, and all other ISPs operating in Tanzania — must provide quality, open, and secure access to the internet and digital communication tools. 

Internet shutdowns should never become a norm, whether in Tanzania or elsewhere. We encourage businesses in Tanzania to integrate the UN Principles and OECD Guidelines when responding to censorship and network disruption requests, in any market where they operate. 

Recommendations

We call on you, President Dr. Samia, to:

• Publicly assure the people of Tanzania that the internet, including social media and other digital communication platforms, will remain open, accessible, inclusive, and secure before, during, and after the election.
• Call upon the respective institutions and authorities to refrain from ordering any disruption of telecommunications services, social media platforms, or other digital communication platforms throughout the elections.
• Ensure that telecommunications and ISPs implement all necessary measures to provide high-quality, secure, unrestricted, and uninterrupted internet access throughout the election period and beyond, in line with their quality of service and license conditions.
• Ensure that telecommunications and ISPs inform people in Tanzania of any potential technical disruptions during the elections, and take all reasonable steps to remedy any such disruptions likely to impact their service quality. 

Please let us know how the #KeepItOn coalition can support you in upholding an open, secure, inclusive, and accessible internet for all in Tanzania. 

Signatories