Tanzania Police Arrest YouTubers In Pre-election Crackdown

The Post On Sunday

The arrest of two Tanzanian YouTubers, Jackson Kabalo and Joseph Mrindoko, has sparked widespread concern about the state of freedom of expression in the country. The two men, who run a popular channel called Wachokonozi (loosely translated as “The Provokers”), were arrested in murky circumstances by plainclothes officers who refused to show identification.

The arrest is part of a wider pattern of suppression of dissenting voices in Tanzania. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been barred from participating in the elections, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, remains in custody on treason charges – an unbailable offense punishable by death. This crackdown on opposition voices has raised concerns among rights groups, who argue that the government is increasingly intolerant of criticism.

The arrest of the YouTubers highlights the importance of digital platforms in facilitating political discourse in Tanzania. The Wachokonozi channel has gained attention for its candid political talk shows, which often touch on sensitive issues such as public debt, accountability, and democratic backsliding. By silencing YouTubers, the government is effectively closing one of the last open arenas of political discourse.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has been criticized for its increasingly intolerant attitude towards dissenting voices. While she was once hailed for her more conciliatory tone after taking office in 2021, her government appears to be suppressing criticism, particularly online. This has raised concerns about the future of democracy and freedom of expression in Tanzania.

The Tanganyika Law Society has condemned the arrest, arguing that criticizing a leader or pointing out the failures of a government is not sedition – it’s a constitutional right. The society’s president, Boniface Mwabukusi, said, “Art is not a crime.” The arrest of the YouTubers highlights the need for the protection of constitutional rights, particularly in the context of digital media.

The arrest of the Tanzanian YouTubers is a worrying sign of the erosion of freedom of expression in the country. As the October elections approach, concerns about the government’s tolerance of dissenting voices are growing.