The Tanzanian government has dismissed claims by a section of the Kenyan media that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered the release of 23 political prisoners following her Kenyan visit.
Some Kenyan media outlets alleged that Suluhu ordered the prisoners as part of her negotiations with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The reports had it that the political prisoners were arrested and detained during the reign of the late President John Pombe Magufuli.
Tanzania termed the reports false and misleading arguing that such a declaration can only be made by the Tanzanian courts.
“Our country abides by the law, President Suluhu in any capacity can’t interfere with the Judiciary,” Tanzanian government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa stated.
Msigwa called on the media house to abide by Journalism ethics in their reporting and avoid issuing fake news.
“I want to urge the media to uphold professionalism when releasing reports concerning the government,” Msigwa stated.
There are a handful of political prisoners in Tanzania who were jailed during the Magufuli’s tenure.
He was re-elected in a highly controversial election in October 2020.
His re-election for a second term almost dismantled the CHADEMA which is the official opposition party.
CHADEMA presidential flagbearer Tundu Lissu fled to Belgium where he was granted asylum on claims that he was a target of political persecution just like many other politicians in his party.
A few other opposition politicians have been languishing in jail over what they term as “trumped up charges” orchestrated by the ruling regime.
In April, Samia reached out to the opposition to work together with the government adding that she is crafting a mechanism to have CHADEMA and CCM work in harmony and void of political animosity.
