On January 5, 2026, Mwanakwetu, while at home, found himself reflecting deeply on Mr. Jabiri Bakari, the Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Mwanakwetu was informed that Mr. Bakari is a highly educated person and holds a doctoral degree.
This reflection by Mwanakwetu has gone on for more than a month. Throughout this period, Tanzanians have been complaining about the Authority, accusing it of being adept at engaging in unethical practices, including throttling internet speeds and at times completely shutting down networks. Other citizens complain that their phone lines frequently receive unwanted messages, causing conflicts between mobile network operators and their customers, with TCRA under Mr. Jabiri Bakari being seen as the chief culprit.
Meanwhile, telecommunications companies defend themselves by saying that these messages originate from TCRA.
Mwanakwetu’s reflection on Mr. Jabiri Bakari intensified significantly—like Bakharesa doughnuts soaking in oil—during and after the events of October 29, 2025. Mwanakwetu recalls that he had to walk more than 7 kilometers for several consecutive days just to be near a place where network connectivity was available, because in most areas there was no internet at all, including on Mwanakwetu’s own phone.
The explanations given by the son of the late Thabiti Kombo, who was responsible for values and foreign affairs in Tanzania during those events, disturbed Mwanakwetu greatly. They were insufficient and painted a picture suggesting that there were serious problems within TCRA, particularly with its Director General, Jabiri Bakari.
“In this context, Mwanakwetu remembered several incidents, including that of journalist Erick Kabendera, who claimed that a certain mobile phone company facilitated his arrest. Likewise, in the shooting of Tundu Lissu, another phone company—one that later changed its name—was mentioned. The question is: what lessons is TCRA learning from such situations?”
This reflection carried Mwanakwetu shoulder to shoulder, step by step, all the way to the United Nations website, where a publication dated June 24, 2022 stated:
“When major communication channels and networks are slowed down or blocked, it means that thousands, even millions of people are deprived of their only means of reaching loved ones, accessing medical assistance, working, or participating in political discussions or decision-making.”
From this, Mwanakwetu realized that when the internet was shut down on October 29, 2025 and the days that followed, he himself was unable to perform his journalistic work. This forced him to walk long distances, hindering his ability as a journalist to fulfill his duty of informing the public and the world about what was happening where he was.
“I remember writing my article, then converting it from text to audio and then to video, but I was unable to distribute it until I walked 7 kilometers to find internet access. Before this incident, I could write an article, convert it to audio, and share it within a short time without having to travel to a place with internet access.”
Mwanakwetu observed that the United Nations publication emphasizes:
“When you see communication shutdowns occurring, it is time to start worrying about human rights.”
This was stated by Peggy Hicks, Director of Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and the Right to Development Division at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at the time.
Speaking at a press conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Ms. Hicks explained that communication shutdowns worsen the digital divide between individuals, regions, countries, and between nations globally.
She added:
“This tends to happen in places where the human rights situation is deteriorating.”
In this case, what became apparent after networks were restored showed that there were several incidents of human rights violations. The question Mwanakwetu asks is this: did TCRA Director General Mr. Jabiri Bakari shut down the networks to allow these alleged human rights violations—said to have been committed by Tanzania’s security and defense forces against unarmed demonstrators and even civilians in their homes—to take place?
Mwanakwetu believes that in this situation, how can the Director General of TCRA be distinguished from the shooters of October 29, 2025 and the days that followed? While the shooter was committing atrocities, Dr. Jabiri Bakari was shutting down networks—was this not concealing the shooter’s crimes? Was it not protecting the shooter?
In the same UN article, Ms. Hicks also stated:
“At a time when major development assistance is being directed toward improving internet connectivity in least developed countries, some beneficiaries of that same assistance are increasing the digital divide through communication shutdowns.”
From Ms. Hicks’ explanation, it is clear that some countries receive significant assistance in the communications sector. In this regard, Mwanakwetu is certain and recalls how Tanzania transitioned from analogue to digital broadcasting. The question is: did Tanzania make this transition entirely on its own, without assistance?
Indeed, whether it was training, technology, or financial support, all of it was aid. Was this aid provided so that some people could have network access while Mwanakwetu had to walk 7 kilometers just to find internet connectivity?
“When the network was shut down on October 29, 2025 and the days that followed, did Dr. Jabiri Bakari and his colleagues have internet access on their phones? Did the heads of defense and security organs have network access? Did all senior officials have internet access? Did the son of the late Thabiti Kombo have network access on his phone?”
Let us assume the answer is yes. While the majority of Tanzanians were in the dark, a few had access to networks. Is this justice? Was Dr. Jabiri Bakari appointed Director General of TCRA to become an expert in cutting off networks?
Right here, Mwanakwetu says that this act of cutting communications is oppression. Statistics from 2022 indicated that:
“At least 27 of the 46 least developed countries implemented communication shutdowns between 2016 and 2021, despite receiving assistance to increase internet connectivity.”
These statements are emphasized by Ms. Hicks.
“The first large-scale internet shutdown occurred in Egypt in 2011 during the Tahrir Square protests, which led to hundreds of people being arrested and killed. The shutdown began on January 28, 2011 and ended on February 2, 2011, although some stakeholders claim the dirty game began gradually on January 25, 2011 by slowing down services, with the full shutdown lasting five days.”
Communication shutdowns can mean a complete block of internet connectivity, but governments also increasingly ban access to major communication platforms and reduce internet and phone services to 2G speeds, making it difficult to participate in or view videos or live image broadcasts. The situation in Tanzania was dire, with analysts claiming the internet was shut down for six days—six days during which who knows what happened?
“Dr. Jabiri Bakari should ask himself: if his own family were invaded by a thief and, during the incident, communication with his family was cut off, how would he perceive such an action?”
Many countries deny interfering with communications or pressuring telecom companies to restrict information sharing.
Official reasons for communication shutdowns were unknown in 228 reported cases documented by civil society organizations in 55 countries. When authorities do admit ordering communication disruptions, the reasons often cited involve public safety, controlling the spread of hate or violence, or combating misinformation.
However, communication shutdowns often have the opposite effect. According to Peggy Hicks:
“199 shutdowns were justified on public safety grounds, and 150 on national security grounds. But many of these incidents were followed by an increase in violence.”
When a country shuts down the internet, people and the economy suffer. The costs to jobs, education, healthcare, and political participation almost always outweigh any anticipated benefits.
Tim Engelhardt, a Human Rights Officer, gave examples of how hospitals that were unable to communicate with their doctors during emergencies:
“They were forced to use hospital loudspeakers to call them.”
The report urged countries to refrain from imposing communication shutdowns, to increase internet access, and to remove unnecessary communication restrictions. It also encourages companies to share information about communication disruptions and to ensure they take all lawful steps possible to prevent shutdowns they are asked to implement.
“We urge countries to stop doing this—to stop imposing communication shutdowns. According to our research, shutdowns are never the best solution.”
Ms. Hicks emphasized.
“The costs are far too high for the economy, for democracy, and for people’s everyday lives.”
So, what does Mwanakwetu say today?
Indeed, Mwanakwetu believes that Dr. Jabiri Bakari, as Director General of TCRA, given what happened on October 29, 2025, should personally resign due to the many harms that resulted from his decision to shut down networks. These harms are numerous, as explained in this article, and continuing to occupy that position only fuels public resentment toward TCRA among Tanzanians.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“Jabiri Bakari Should Be Removed from TCRA.”
I wish you a good day.
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