🚨 FACT CHECK | @CyberPoe Misidentified Helicopter Photo and False Claims About President Samia Suluhu Hassan
The Viral Claim
A widely shared claim across X, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp alleges that Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan fled the country by helicopter following her disputed re-election and the eruption of nationwide protests. The image shows a woman in a yellow outfit boarding a helicopter, framed as the president escaping after protesters supposedly blocked airport routes. This narrative gained traction due to heightened political tensions, but CyberPoe’s investigation finds the claim entirely fabricated.
What the Image Actually Shows
A detailed open-source verification reveals that the photograph has no connection to the October 2025 election, nor to any political unrest. The image originates from early September 2025, almost two months before the polls. It was published by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) as part of their coverage of a major wildlife conservation effort. Everything in the frame from the helicopter with registration JW9803 to the background environment and the attire of the woman matches the imagery from TANAPA’s documented activities during that period. No part of the visual aligns with the protests or the election timeline.
The Real Identity of the Woman
Contrary to the viral miscaption, the woman boarding the helicopter is not President Samia Suluhu Hassan. She is Fatma Mwassa, the Regional Commissioner for Kagera, who was present at the launch of a large-scale elephant relocation operation. Multiple photos from her verified accounts show her wearing the same outfit, stepping into the same helicopter, and participating in the same field program. She was overseeing a strategic conservation initiative that involved moving hundreds of elephants from the Kitengule Valley to the Burigi-Chato National Reserve. The circulation of her image as a political escape attempt is entirely baseless.
President Hassan’s Actual Whereabouts
Despite widespread unrest after the election including reports of casualties, communication blackouts, and opposition suppression no evidence indicates that President Hassan attempted to flee the country. She remained publicly active, participated in state functions, and was officially sworn in on November 3, 2025. Government communication, regional press reports, and independent observers all confirm her presence in Tanzania throughout that period. The claim of her escape originated exclusively from social media miscaptioning, not from any credible source.
Why the False Narrative Spread
The combination of a contested election, restricted opposition activity, and deadly clashes created fertile ground for disinformation. Political misinformation networks across East Africa, francophone regions, and diaspora communities often rely on dramatic visuals paired with provocative captions to stoke panic. In this case, an unrelated conservation photo became a vehicle for amplifying political anxiety. The timing allowed the image to spread rapidly because audiences were primed for sensational explanations of the unrest. The episode underscores how miscaptioned visuals continue to be one of the most effective drivers of digital misinformation in high-tension moments.
CyberPoe Assessment
This case represents a classic example of identity misattribution, contextual manipulation, and narrative fabrication. The photo does not depict President Samia Suluhu Hassan, does not relate to the election period, and does not document any attempt to flee the country. It captures a routine conservation mission involving Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa, long before the political crisis emerged. The false claim thrives purely on visual recontextualization without any factual basis.
Conclusion
The helicopter image circulating as evidence of President Hassan’s escape is a complete distortion. It is an unrelated conservation photograph taken weeks before the election and featuring a different public official. The claim has no foundation in reality and serves as another reminder of how quickly misinformation can weaponize ordinary images during politically sensitive moments.
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