Kenyan President William Ruto has officially apologized to Tanzania, aiming to ease the rising tensions that have unfolded in recent days. The conflict arose after Tanzanian authorities detained and deported several activists, which led to a backlash from Kenyans on social media against Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking during a national prayer breakfast, Ruto urged forgiveness, stating, "To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us." He addressed recent criticisms levied by younger Kenyans towards his administration amidst ongoing unrest surrounding tax protests.
The diplomatic dispute ignited after the arrest and alleged torture of activists, including Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan Agather Atuhaire, who were attending the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu in Tanzania. The activists reported being held incommunicado and later released at the border after their mistreatment was condemned both regionally and internationally.
Tanzanian officials, including President Samia, defended their country's sovereignty, asserting their right to manage internal matters without foreign intervention. Simultaneously, Kenyan and Ugandan governments formally protested against the mistreatment of their nationals, demanding consular access.
The incident led to an explosive online feud between citizens of both countries, prompting Tanzanian parliament members to voice their anger over perceived cyberbullying from Kenyans. In a surprising turn, some MPs invited further dialogue with their Kenyan counterparts, suggesting a WhatsApp group for shared discussion on relevant issues.
Tanzanian legislator Jesca Msambatavangu remarked on the potential for collaboration, stating that "Kenyans are our neighbours, our brothers, and we cannot ignore each other." This evolving dialogue highlights the complexities of regional relations and the importance of diplomacy in addressing shared grievances.
