DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzanian authorities have issued a stern warning that sharing “criminal and inflammatory” content on social media is an offense punishable by jail, following the viral spread of a video featuring a man claiming to be a military officer criticizing the government.
The warning comes just three weeks before the country is set to hold general elections in an increasingly tense political environment.
The video in question features an individual who identifies himself as “Capt Tesha” from the Tanzania Air Force. In the clip, he levels serious accusations against the government, including corruption, human rights violations, and political interference within the military. He directly appeals to the military chief, Jacob Mkunda, to take action to unite the country and uphold citizens’ rights.
“We cannot let the nation be lost in the hands of some few people,” the man says, also encouraging Tanzanians to push for their rights and hold demonstrations, claiming that the security forces support the public.
In an apparent response, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) has distanced itself from the video and warned against attempts to drag the military into politics. Military spokesman Col Bernard Masala Mlunga stated that such content is being posted by individuals “claiming military affiliation or are former members dismissed for misconduct or political activism.”
He reaffirmed in a statement that the military “continues to carry out its constitutional duties with integrity, loyalty, and professionalism.”
Echoing this stance, the police force released a statement on Sunday, characterizing the sharing of such information as a misuse of social media driven by “ill intentions.”
“The [police force] assures Tanzanians that it will continue to hunt for [those sharing such content], arrest them and bring them to justice,” the statement read.
Despite the official denouncements, the video has been widely re-shared by Tanzanian opposition activists, who interpret it as a sign of solidarity from within the military ranks.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is seeking re-election under the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. However, the main opposition party, Chadema, has been banned from participating in the 29 October polls. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, has been detained since April and is facing treason charges, which human rights groups allege are politically motivated.
Critics and observers have raised growing concerns about the shrinking of democratic space in Tanzania, noting that the government has tightened control over the media, public gatherings, and opposition activities, casting doubt on the prospects for a free and fair election.
