This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 5, 2020, a Tanzanian man was handed a three-year jail term or a fine of Tsh 5 million (Sh231,000) for insulting President John Magufuli on social media.
Fadhili Silwimba was found guilty of contravening Section 23 of Tanzania's cyber laws enacted in 2015, which prohibits initiating or sending electronic communications with intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause emotional distress.
His conviction comes barely a month after civil society organizations in Tanzania listed the act among 'unfriendly laws' enacted in the last 30 years.
President Magufuli recently announced a crackdown on social media posts his government perceives as misleading citizens on the state of the pandemic in the country.
Amnesty International called for the release of comedian Idris Sultan, who was arrested for laughing at a throwback photo of President Magufuli in an oversized suit.
