Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Speaking in a televised interview, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Jerry Silaa confirmed that the restriction is a deliberate enforcement measure following what the government describes as the platform’s failure to comply with local online content regulations.

“Since X updated its content policies in May 2024, it has permitted explicit sexual material, including same-sex pornographic content, which directly contradicts Section 16 of our Online Content Regulations,” Silaa said, referring to legislation enacted in 2020.

“Such material is not only illegal under Tanzanian law but undermines our traditions, values, and cultural norms.”

Silaa emphasised the government’s responsibility in curating a digital environment that reflects the country’s ethical standards.

“Because the internet is like the sky—what you say here will be heard by Tanzanians, whether they like it or not. That’s why it’s important for the government to ensure online content aligns with national values and laws.”

The platform has reportedly become inaccessible across the country without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The restriction comes amid broader digital surveillance efforts, with Silaa noting that other platforms, including YouTube, have also had content blocked as part of a nationwide crackdown on “illegal and harmful” digital media.

The restriction follows a recent wave of digital security breaches. On May 20, internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that X was blocked in Tanzania after pornographic content appeared on what was believed to be a hacked official police account.

The account also falsely claimed that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died. Similar graphic content surfaced on the hacked YouTube account of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.

The platform restriction also coincides with the detention of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing a treason charge after threatening to boycott elections unless electoral reforms are enacted. Lissu denies the allegations, calling the charges politically motivated.

Tanzania was also in the spotlight after several prominent East African human rights activists who travelled to Tanzania in solidarity with Lissu were detained or deported.

Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua was turned back upon arrival, while Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, though initially allowed in, was detained for several days and later alleged that she was blindfolded, violently stripped, and sexually assaulted while in custody. Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was also briefly detained and reported experiencing torture and assault.

Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” was signed on January 20, 2025, and follows a national security review by federal agencies.

The order imposes a full travel ban on seven African countries: Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, Libya, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Equatorial Guinea. Nationals from these countries are barred from entering the U.S. under most visa categories.

In addition, three other African nations—Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo—face partial restrictions that target immigrants and non-immigrants holding tourist, student, and business visas (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J categories).

In a video statement, Trump linked the move to national security concerns, referencing a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.

“We don’t want them,” he said of individuals from high-risk nations. “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States.”

According to a fact sheet released by the administration, countries targeted for a full suspension were found to have inadequate screening and vetting systems, high visa overstay rates, and in some cases, active terrorist organisations operating within their borders.

For example, Somalia was described as a “terrorist safe haven” with minimal government control and a history of refusing to repatriate its nationals. Chad and Equatorial Guinea had visa overstay rates exceeding 50 percent for certain visa categories. Eritrea lacks reliable documentation systems and refuses to accept deported nationals.

Other countries affected by the full travel ban include Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.

Countries under partial restrictions, such as Burundi and Sierra Leone, were flagged for high overstay rates and lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement. Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela were also subject to partial bans, bringing the total number of affected countries to 19.

The Trump administration insisted that the bans are country-specific and designed to encourage foreign governments to improve information sharing and document security. Exceptions remain for green card holders, existing visa holders, and certain visa categories deemed in the U.S. national interest.

Trump defended the policy as a continuation of his first-term travel ban, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii.

The new restrictions are likely to draw condemnation from civil rights advocates, who have in the past accused the Trump administration of placing a heavy focus on African nations.

Amb. Rwamucyo was among six new envoys who presented their letters of credence to President William Ruto. The others included Chiranjib Sarker (Bangladesh), retired Lt. General Peter Kakowou Lavahun (Sierra Leone), Anthony Louis Kon (South Sudan), Kan Yaw Kiong (Singapore), and Erika Álvarez Rodríguez (Dominican Republic).

During the ceremony, Amb. Rwamucyo expressed his commitment to deepening the longstanding relations between Rwanda and Kenya, noting the historical bonds of friendship and cooperation rooted in shared values and a collective vision for regional peace and prosperity.

“It is my sincere hope that I shall succeed in my endeavours to further enhance the relations between our two nations to greater heights,” he said.

Rwanda and Kenya enjoy robust bilateral relations, with cooperation spanning trade, infrastructure development, education, security, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. Amb. Rwamucyo acknowledged Kenya’s role as a strategic partner in both bilateral frameworks and regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC).

“As I begin my mission here in Kenya, I look forward to engaging with stakeholders across government, the private sector, and civil society in pursuit of our shared goals,” he added.

President Ruto, in welcoming the new envoys, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and regional collaboration.

Addressing Amb. Rwamucyo directly, the President said, “Congratulations, High Commissioner. I look forward to working with you in promoting the bonds of friendship and elevating the mutual aspirations of the people of our two nations.”

Amb. Rwamucyo replaces Ambassador Martin Ngoga, whose letter of recall was also presented during the ceremony. He previously served as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to India and as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Amb. Ngoga is now Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

ENSIA, which offers an integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, currently hosts five Rwandan students as part of a growing educational partnership between the two nations.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President Kagame expressed gratitude for Algeria’s continued support in empowering Rwandan youth through advanced education.

“Algeria’s support for Rwandan students in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and data science has been very successful,” President Kagame said.

“This reflects the forward-looking nature of our partnership and our shared interest in building the capacity of our people,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the two Heads of State presided over the signing of 12 bilateral agreements spanning a wide range of sectors, including higher education, air services, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, visa exemptions, professional training, police cooperation, justice, and investment promotion.

President Kagame also revealed Rwanda’s plans to open an embassy in Algiers, a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and accelerating bilateral cooperation.

“A diplomatic presence of Rwanda in Algeria, which we hope to have soon, will create more opportunities to strengthen our economic ties and see more engagement between our private sectors,” he added.

In a series of posts on his social media platform X, the tech billionaire sharply criticised the bill passed by the House of Representatives last month, which includes multi-trillion-dollar tax cuts and increased defence spending, while allowing for greater government borrowing.

The legislation forms a central part of Trump’s second-term economic agenda and is being promoted by the president as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted.

“Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,” he added.

He estimated it would drive the U.S. budget deficit up to $2.5 trillion, calling it “crushingly unsustainable.”

The remarks mark Musk’s first public break with Trump since leaving his short-lived role in the administration on May 31. He had served for 129 days as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with cutting public spending.

Despite leaving government, Musk had until now remained publicly supportive of Trump’s policies. His recent comments, however, appear to signal a shift, with Musk warning of political consequences for lawmakers who supported the bill.

“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he wrote.

The bill’s opponents within the Republican Party, particularly fiscal conservatives, have echoed Musk’s concerns.

Several senators, including Mike Lee and Ron Johnson, have voiced strong opposition to the bill’s projected impact on the national debt, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says could rise by $3.8 trillion under the proposal. Lee urged fellow Republicans to “use the Trump bill and future spending measures to reduce the deficit.”

Musk’s intervention has added fresh tension to internal Republican debates, with lawmakers now facing mounting pressure to amend the legislation before its expected passage in the Senate by July 4. Republicans currently hold a narrow 53-47 majority and can afford only limited defections.

Trump and his allies have downplayed Musk’s criticism. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the president was fully aware of Musk’s views and remained committed to the legislation. “This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it,” she told reporters.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune also dismissed Musk’s concerns.

“We have a job to do—the American people elected us to deliver on this agenda,” he said.

Still, divisions persist among Republican lawmakers. Some rural-state senators want protections for Medicaid and hospital reimbursements, while others are pushing for cuts to climate-related investments.

The fate of proposed tax breaks for overtime pay, tips, and Social Security remains uncertain and may be delayed to a separate bill.

President Kagame arrived in Algiers earlier on Tuesday at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The two Heads of State presided over the signing of wide-ranging agreements covering areas such as air services, visa exemption, communication, police cooperation, pharmaceuticals, higher education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, telecommunications, justice, professional training, and investment promotion.

The signing followed bilateral discussions between the leaders and their respective delegations, reflecting a shared ambition to deepen economic, diplomatic, and institutional ties.

Speaking at a joint press conference, President Kagame and President Tebboune reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding relationship between their countries.

President Kagame also announced that Rwanda would soon open an embassy in Algeria, a move expected to enhance diplomatic engagement and expand avenues for collaboration.

Earlier in the day, President Kagame was received with full honours in Algiers, where he held a private meeting with President Tebboune.

The two leaders discussed continental priorities, including the promotion of intra-African trade, capacity building, and the importance of sharing experiences in post-conflict recovery and nation-building.

President Kagame also visited the Maqam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial), where he laid a wreath in honour of those who died during Algeria’s war of independence.

As part of his visit, Kagame is expected to tour the National School of Artificial Intelligence (ENSIA), where five Rwandan students are currently enrolled in AI and Data Science programmes.

This marks Kagame’s second official visit to Algeria since 2015. The trip builds on growing momentum in Rwanda-Algeria relations, particularly following a meeting between the two leaders in December 2024 on the sidelines of the Continental Forum on Education and Youth Employability in Mauritania.

Algeria and Rwanda share a history of robust bilateral cooperation. In the 2016/2017 academic year, Algeria awarded scholarships to 25 Rwandan students, reflecting its commitment to educational partnerships.

Since 1982, the two countries have signed multiple agreements spanning economic development, cultural exchange, and institutional cooperation, with Algeria’s opening of its embassy in Kigali in December 2023 marking a significant step in deepening diplomatic ties.