Tanzania’s newly reappointed Attorney General Hamza Said Johari has issued a strong statement calling for the arrest and extradition of outspoken US-based activist Mange Kimambi, accusing her of using social media to incite unrest and spread misinformation about the country’s political affairs.
Speaking just days after resuming office, Johari said Ms. Kimambi’s online content has been “irresponsible and inflammatory,” claiming it poses a threat to national stability.
“No one is above the law. We must ensure that those who misuse online platforms to destabilize our country are held accountable,” Johari said.
He further urged Tanzanian security agencies to work with US authorities to facilitate the activist’s extradition to Tanzania to face legal consequences.
Mange Kimambi Responds
Kimambi, who has lived in the United States for years, quickly fired back through her social media accounts, dismissing the Attorney General’s remarks as “desperate intimidation tactics.”
“Let them show which Tanzanian law I’ve broken while living in the US. They can’t silence me — not even across borders,” she wrote, accusing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of attempting to suppress dissenting voices abroad.
The activist, known for her fiery commentary on Tanzanian politics and celebrity culture, has often clashed with government officials over corruption allegations, governance issues, and human rights concerns.
Background
Mange Kimambi first gained prominence in the early 2010s as a political blogger before transitioning into a full-fledged digital activist with a large diaspora following. Her broadcasts, often delivered in Kiswahili, attract hundreds of thousands of viewers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Analysts say Johari’s comments mark a renewed crackdown on digital dissent, following growing online criticism of Tanzania’s leadership ahead of the 2025 general elections.
Neither the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam nor Tanzanian law enforcement has issued an official statement regarding the extradition demand.
