The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Tanzania Police Force, followed by approximately 468,705 users, was compromised on Tuesday morning. The suspected hackers published disturbing and unverified and false Information , concerning the passing of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The account, which the Police in Tanzania use to provide updates to the Public on criminal proceedings, had last posted on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hackers not only spread misleading information but also conducted a live broadcast on the compromised page.

This significant cybersecurity incident comes at a sensitive time for Tanzania, as President Suluhu Hassan is in an open conflict with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.

Just a day prior to the hack, on Monday, President Suluhu publicly stated that foreign activists would not be permitted to “interfere” in the country’s affairs. This stern warning came after several international activists among the Kenyan attempted to attend Lissu’s trial.

In a televised speech launching the country’s new foreign policy, President Hassan expressed concern over a growing trend of regional activists “attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs”. She urged Tanzania’s security and defense organs to “not to allow ill-mannered individuals from other countries to cross the line here”.

Her comments followed closely on the heels of several Kenyan human rights activists being denied entry into Tanzania and subsequently deported to Nairobi.

Hassan explicitly warned, “If they have been controlled in their country, let them not come to disrupt us. Let us not give them the chance; they have already destabilized their countries and the only remaining peaceful nation is Tanzania”.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tanzania Police Force swiftly responded to the hacking, issuing a public statement (TAARIFA KWA UMMA) on May 20, 2025, from Dodoma.

The statement clarified that the false information was not from the Police Force and urged the public to disregard it, while also assuring that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the breach.

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