The Tanzanian government has accused some social media platforms and online users of spreading misleading information and distorting the contents of the country’s latest Foreign Affairs budget speech.
In a public statement released on May 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said it was “disturbed” by what it described as widespread disinformation circulating online following the presentation of the ministry’s 2026/2027 budget in Parliament.
The budget speech was delivered in Dodoma on May 26 by Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. According to the ministry, some online discussions deliberately removed parts of the speech from their original context in ways that could create confusion among the public and damage Tanzania’s diplomatic image.
“The ministry recognises that information being circulated in some online platforms has deliberately distorted the actual content and context of the speech with the intention of creating confusion among the public,” part of the statement said.
Officials also argued that some of the interpretations being shared online risk undermining Tanzania’s principles of diplomacy, sovereignty, and national unity.
The government did not specifically identify which statements or social media posts it considered misleading, though debate around the budget speech had intensified across Tanzanian online spaces over the past two days.
The ministry said it would continue issuing official clarifications through media outlets and government communication platforms to ensure citizens receive what it called “accurate information and proper government context.”
The statement also praised media organizations and members of Parliament who participated in wider national discussions surrounding the speech, describing the debates as a sign of democratic maturity and patriotism.
At the same time, the ministry urged social media users, journalists, and the public to exercise freedom of expression responsibly while respecting national laws, ethics, and public order.
“The government will continue to firmly uphold the principles of sovereignty, national dignity and non-interference in internal affairs,” the statement added.
The release comes at a time when discussions around Tanzania’s foreign policy positions, regional diplomacy, and international relations have become increasingly active online, particularly following recent geopolitical debates involving African governments and foreign influence across the continent.
