The Tanzania Police Force has issued a severe warning to the public, stating that individuals found circulating inciting, mocking, or destabilizing messages through social media, mass text messages, or other digital platforms could face treason charges. These warnings, disseminated via text messages to citizens, cautioned against sharing content that might 'cause alarm, provoke unrest, or demean the dignity of others,' categorizing such actions as serious criminal offenses under Tanzanian law. The police explicitly stated that circulating images or videos that cause alarm or demean a person's dignity is a criminal offense, and those found culpable will face severe legal action.

This stern warning comes amidst heightened political tension in Tanzania, following violent protests that were triggered by the disputed General Election held on October 29. Hours prior to the mass text messages, President Samia Suluhu Hassan had publicly vowed to defend Tanzania's peace and sovereignty 'through all means and at all cost,' strongly cautioning against any attempts to destabilize the nation. Speaking during her swearing-in ceremony at the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) parade grounds in Dodoma, President Suluhu asserted that her government possessed evidence linking the recent unrest to foreign actors allegedly seeking to undermine national stability. She emphasized that the disturbances did not align with the character of Tanzanians, noting that some individuals arrested for causing unrest were from outside the country, and that defense and security organs were actively investigating these incidents to restore the country's customary peace.

The inauguration ceremony itself underscored the government's growing concern over internal security and potential foreign interference, being closed to the public and broadcast only on state television under tight security. International observers and opposition parties have heavily criticized the recent elections, citing issues such as voter intimidation, media censorship, and widespread arrests of opposition supporters. However, President Suluhu dismissed these allegations, maintaining that the polls were free, fair, and transparent. She rejected calls for election reform and dismissed observer criticism as 'foreign interference.'

In her address, President Suluhu called for unity and peace over confrontation, reiterating that those who spread misinformation or incite violence online would face the full force of the law. She declared that 'chaos within the country has no value, no price, and no profit for anyone,' and urged those inciting violence to understand that 'dialogue produces unity, not division.' To address the situation, she directed the National Security Committee and regional authorities to restore normalcy in affected areas and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. While the Tanzanian government insists its rigorous crackdown is essential to preserve national peace and stability, human rights groups have voiced significant alarm over what they perceive as increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and political dissent within the country.