Tanzania Goes After Foreigners, Warns Citizens Against Sharing Inflammatory Statements
Tanzania has launched a crackdown on foreigners accused of stoking three days of unrest during the just-finished elections.
According to reports, hotels, houses, and businesses are being searched in key cities and towns as part of an intelligence-led operation aimed at apprehending alleged criminals.
At the same time, security officials have issued a harsh warning that anyone caught spreading ‘inciting, ridiculing, or destabilizing statements’ via social media, mass text messages, or digital platforms may face treason charges.
The warning came as allegations surfaced that hundreds of protestors had been slain during the demonstrations, with graphic images of the grisly deaths circulating online when Tanzania restored internet access after a five-day blackout.
It’s unclear how many people were killed, but human rights organizations and opposition parties believe around 1,000 were slaughtered. Tanzanian officials have yet to provide any figures.
On Monday evening, the police force issued a warning to the public about distributing anything that could “cause alarm, provoke unrest, or demean the dignity of others,” categorizing such actions as significant criminal violations under Tanzanian law.
“Epuka kusambaza picha au video zenye kuleta taharuki au kutweza utu wa mtu. Kufanya hivyo ni kosa la jinai, na ukibainika, hatua kali za kisheria zitachukuliwa,” the mass texts reads in part.
Tanzanian police warn against sharing content that may “cause distress or degrade someone’s dignity” in mass text sent to citizens’ phones pic.twitter.com/s26E4ypXJe
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) November 3, 2025
(Avoid sharing photos or videos that may cause panic or demean a person’s dignity. Doing so is a criminal offence, and if found, strict legal action will be taken.)
The warnings came shortly after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in at a military installation in the administrative capital, Dodoma, which was closed to the public but broadcast live on state television.
During the inauguration, which included Kenya’s Deputy President, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Suluhu stated that her government had proof tying the violence to foreign forces allegedly seeking to destabilize national stability.
“It did not surprise us to learn that some of the young people arrested in connection with those riots came from outside the country,” she said.
Suluhu stated that Tanzania’s defense and security institutions are closely monitoring the situation and striving to restore peace and order throughout the country.
“I am directing the national, regional, and district defense and security committees to ensure that, starting today, normal life for citizens resumes immediately,” she stated.
Tanzanian police said a day before the inauguration that they had received intelligence that foreigners in major towns were planning another round of protests.
“Tanzania Police have received information that a group of foreign nationals are in the country with the aim of committing crimes, including creating chaos,” the police spokesperson said in a statement.
“These people are purporting to do several jobs, including operating boda bodas.”
According to the statement, the foreigners are working in the provinces of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, Songwe, and other locations.
“As police follow up on these reports with a view to taking action in line with our laws, any citizen hosting a foreigner whose work is unknown or whose activities appear suspicious is asked to provide information to government officers,” the statement added.
Authorities have also warned that Tanzanians, including commercial entities that harbor foreigners, will be detained and prosecuted in court.
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union and Member States on Tanzania Elections. pic.twitter.com/AzsQ6IpHKj
— EU in Tanzania (@EUinTZ) November 3, 2025
Suluhu was declared the winner of the October 29 elections by a margin of almost 98%, in an exercise that her primary adversaries were barred from participating in.
The primary opposition leader in Chadema, Tundu Lissu, is in jail on treason accusations.
Tanzania Goes After Foreigners, Warns Citizens Against Sharing Inflammatory Statements
