Meta restored Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi's accounts after intense pressure from the public on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Sarungi, whose account was restricted on Thursday, December 4, 2025, had her access restored after rallying international attention to the platform's actions.
The restrictions came after activists mobilized Tanzanians for December 9 protests over the disputed October 29 elections that left hundreds dead.
Meta initially defended the move, stating in a response to Sarungi that the restriction was due to "a legal request from Tanzania Communication Regulation Authority."
The company cited local legal obligations for its action, leaving activists Mange Kimambi, a Los Angeles-based campaigner and Sativa Aluta Continua deactivated on Meta’s services
Kimambi's WhatsApp account was also deleted, effectively banning her from the messaging service.
CNN journalist Larry Madowo highlighted the bans on his X account, though Meta had not responded to his inquiries at the time.
The activists alleged that Meta had conspired with the Tanzanian government to suppress dissent after President Samia Suluhu Hassan won a disputed re-election with 98% of the vote, amid a crackdown on opposition candidates who were jailed or barred from running
According to opposition groups and rights organizations, over a thousand people were shot dead during three days of protests.
Reports indicate that bodies were never returned to families and were instead hidden in mass graves.
President Hassan justified the crackdown on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, stating it was "necessary to prevent the overthrow of the government."
The United Nations has called for an investigation into the killings, while the European Union is considering blocking Tanzania.
Sarungi is now appealing to the public to mount pressure on Meta for the restoration of Kimambi and Sativa's accounts.
