Kenya's President William Ruto has issued a formal apology to Tanzania in response to escalating diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring countries. This apology comes in the wake of social media backlash directed at Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan after the detention and deportation of notable East African activists, including Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan Agather Atuhaire.
In a national prayer breakfast held on Wednesday, President Ruto emphasized the importance of stronger ties with Tanzania and said, “To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us. If there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologise.” His statements were made after concerns were raised by visiting American preacher Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged for reconciliation.
The tension erupted following the deportation of activists who had traveled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The activists accused Tanzanian authorities of holding them incommunicado for several days and subjecting them to torture, leading to widespread uproar and condemnation from human rights organizations.
Tanzania has refrained from addressing the torture allegations directly, although President Samia has previously asserted her stance against outside interference in domestic matters. Following the incidents, both Kenya and Uganda lodged formal protests regarding the denial of consular access to their citizens.
The fallout from the activist's treatment sparked a digital conflict, with Kenyans and Tanzanians engaging in heated exchanges on social media, criticizing each other's leaders. During discussions in the Tanzanian parliament, MPs expressed their outrage towards perceived cyberbullying from Kenyans, defending the nation's right to uphold its sovereignty.
In an unexpected turn, legislator Jesca Msambatavangu of Iringa Town invited Kenyan youth to share their views constructively, suggesting the formation of a WhatsApp group for ongoing dialogue. This initiative was met with approval as she stressed, “Kenyans are our neighbours, our brothers, and we cannot ignore each other.”
As both nations strive to mend their diplomatic ties, the situation highlights the complexities of regional politics and the importance of dialogue in resolving cross-border grievances.
