Tanzania has suspended the online operations of a prominent newspaper after it published cartoons depicting President Samia Suluhu Hassan and addressing recent abductions and killings of dissidents.

One of the animated videos released earlier this week by The Citizen showed President Hassan observing news reports about victims of state repression. The president has faced increasing domestic and international scrutiny over allegations that security forces are involved in the kidnapping and murder of opposition figures.

Since August, Hassan’s government has prohibited two major rallies organized by the opposition Chadema party, briefly detaining its leaders.

On Wednesday, The Citizen, one of the country’s most influential English-language newspapers, announced that its online publications would be suspended for 30 days. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority justified the suspension, claiming the clips offered “negative interpretations for the nation, undermining national unity, peace, and cohesion.” The newspaper had already removed the animations, stating it did so due to the “misinterpretation” they generated.

Hassan ascended to power following the sudden death of her authoritarian predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021. Initially, she was praised for easing restrictions on opposition rallies and media. However, rights groups and Western governments, including the United States, have expressed concern over what they view as a resurgence of repression ahead of local elections in November and a general election scheduled for late 2025.

Among those featured in the animated videos was the father of artist Shadrack Chaula, who was sentenced to two years in prison in July for burning a picture of Hassan. In the video, the father is heard saying, “dead or alive… I want to see my child,” while Hassan watches from her sofa.