Inside Politics

Tanzania dismisses reports President Samia released 23 prisoners

Friday, May 7th, 2021 20:27 | By
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu congratulates Ruto
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu. PHOTO/Courtesy

Hours after some Kenyan media reported that Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu released 23 political prisoners, authorities in the neighbouring country have come out to dismiss the reports terming them false and erroneous.

In a statement, Tanzania's government spokesperson and Director of Presidential Communications Gerson Msigwa, has confirmed the country's stand.

He further says Tanzania has no political prisoners who reports claimed were incarcerated by the late President John Pombe Magufuli.

"It has come to our attention that there is a clip going viral indicating that President Samia has ordered the release of 23 political prisoners. We wish to clarify that the President has not given such an order," Msigwa said.

"Secondly, our country has no political prisoners. Tanzanians should ignore such reports," he added.

The misleading reports indicated that President Samia on Wednesday directed the country’s Attorney General to withdraw the cases against the 23 with immediate effect.

After Tanzania's president arrived in Kenya on Tuesday, a group of activists took to the streets of Nairobi to hold protests and demand the release of political prisoners in the neighbouring state.

Haki Africa, a human rights group, had appealed to President Samia to release prisoners being held for criticizing the 2020 General Elections. The appeal was after 5000 other prisoners were released.

More on Inside Politics


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES Inside Politics


ADVERTISEMENT