Tanzanian Activist Mange Kimambi Appeals to Trump After Social Media Accounts Shut Down

Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi has written to U.S. President Donald Trump. She urged him to act after Meta blocked her accounts. Her Instagram, WhatsApp, and news page were all deactivated. Kimambi says this happened because she exposed human rights abuses in Tanzania. She also used the platforms to promote peaceful protests. The closures, she argues, have silenced one of the few safe spaces left for Tanzanians to get reliable news.

In her letter, Kimambi described the October 29, 2025 elections. Gen Z-led protests were met with lethal force. Many people were killed or injured. The crackdown drew criticism from global human rights organizations. She says social media is essential for documenting abuses and connecting activists with citizens. Losing access to her accounts reduces her ability to inform the public. It also limits her advocacy for justice.

Kimambi asked President Trump to pressure Meta to restore her accounts. She called for clear rules to govern social media suspensions. She warned that governments could pressure platforms to silence dissenting voices. Such actions, she says, threaten democracy, limit freedom of expression, and reduce citizen participation.

Her appeal highlights tensions between social media companies and authoritarian governments. By reaching out to the U.S. President, Kimambi seeks international support. She wants digital platforms to remain safe spaces for activists. Human rights groups say Meta must do more to protect users from political pressure. Platform decisions, they stress, can affect civic engagement and free speech.

Kimambi’s letter comes at a time when online tools are among the few ways Tanzanians can protest, organize and share factual information safely. She stresses that restoring her accounts is vital. It is critical for her work and for protecting democracy and human rights in Tanzania.