KAHYOZA: Tanzanians stand by rule of law and expect others to respect it

Activists Agather Atuhaire (Uganda) and Boniface Mwangi when they addressed the press in Nairobi on June 2 /PEOPLE’S WATCHMAN/X

I watched the recent episode of Kenya Digital News with a mix of concern and disbelief.

As a loyal citizen of Tanzania and economic and political expert, I couldn’t help but notice how the narrative spun by some Kenyan and Ugandan commentators was loaded with assumptions, emotion-driven judgments, and, quite frankly, a worrying disregard for the principle of respecting national sovereignty.

Let me start by being clear: no country—Kenya, Uganda, or even Tanzania—is above scrutiny. However, scrutiny should be grounded in facts, not in sensationalism.

What happened recently at the Tundu Lissu treason trial has sparked outrage, but the context has been deliberately twisted. When activists like Boniface Mwangi and Agatha Atuhaire arrived in Tanzania, it was not mere observers.

The circumstances under which they entered the country and their subsequent actions raised legitimate security and legal concerns. And let’s not forget, no country allows foreign nationals to meddle freely in matters as sensitive as treason proceedings.

I’m deeply troubled by the accusations that Tanzania tortured these individuals.

The Tanzanian police, a professional force operating under strict guidelines, detained them for questioning, which is standard in any functioning legal system when a potential threat is perceived.

It’s not about silencing voices—it’s about safeguarding national security, ensuring courtroom integrity and preventing unnecessary politicisation of legal processes.

Had the tables been turned and Tanzanian citizens flown into Nairobi during a politically sensitive trial without prior clearance, would Kenya have welcomed them with open arms? Highly doubtful.

The discussion around Dr Kizza Besigye being "abducted" from Nairobi is another inflated tale. Diplomatic procedures exist for a reason.

If he was indeed moved from one country to another, there must have been legal or procedural grounds, and asserting otherwise without evidence only fuels mistrust.

As Tanzanians, we believe in due process. We also believe that fellow East African Community citizens must respect our internal processes just as we are expected to respect theirs.

Now, regarding President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s handling of this issue, I stand by her calm, measured and law-abiding leadership.

Tanzania doesn’t act on impulse or social media pressure. We assess threats, follow protocol and maintain dignity in the face of provocation.

Her stance should be seen not as silence, but as respect for due process. There is wisdom in restraint, something often mistaken for indifference in today’s fast-paced media cycles.

Let’s also talk about the EAC. It is built on principles of cooperation, free movement and shared prosperity—but also on mutual respect. Article 6 of the EAC Treaty emphasises good governance, adherence to the rule of law and non-interference in internal affairs.

Yet what we’re witnessing now is a wave of outrage from our neighbours who seemingly believe that free movement gives one the right to act without responsibility. That is not what integration was intended to foster.

The allegations that activists were sexually abused and tortured are indeed grave. But such claims must be verified through official channels, not thrown into the public domain without substantiation.

If true, justice must prevail, but if exaggerated for political mileage, that too should be called out. No law, as was rightly said, can justify torture—but likewise, no law should allow foreigners to overstep boundaries under the banner of activism.

What strikes me most in this saga is the irony of Kenyan outrage. Kenya, too, has its share of extrajudicial incidents, political oppression and restricted civil spaces.

So, when Kenyans now act shocked at Tanzania’s response to what it viewed as interference, I wonder if this is genuine concern or selective outrage.

Are we to believe that Kenyan or Ugandan political commentators would allow Tanzanian activists to influence judicial proceedings in their capitals?

I say this with no ill intent to our neighbours: Tanzania is not hostile to observers, tourists, or even activists. But respect must precede engagement.

We have always welcomed EAC citizens with warmth, and we shall continue to do so—if they come in good faith, and within the bounds of our legal system. Safety is guaranteed, as long as the law is respected. That assurance stands for Mwangi, Atuhaire, or any other citizen of the East African region.

President Ruto, as the current chair of the EAC, finds himself under intense pressure from activists and some Kenyan voices to send a strongly accusatory letter to Tanzania.

But I have to ask—why do so many Kenyans seem to misunderstand Tanzania’s position in the regional landscape? There’s this persistent notion that Tanzania is somehow more aligned with SADC than with the EAC, as if that explains or justifies the tensions. This is simply not true.

Tanzania is very much a core member of the EAC, actively engaged in EAC initiatives—from the shared digital passports to the customs union and various cross-border cooperation programmes.

To suggest Tanzania’s actions are driven by allegiance to SADC rather than EAC misses the bigger picture and ignores the reality of regional politics.

Tanzania’s commitments to the EAC are strong and ongoing, but so is its sovereign right to enforce its laws without interference.

In this light, Ruto’s role should be one of moderation and bridge-building, not escalating conflicts by bowing to pressure for accusatory gestures.

Martha Karua’s denied entry, for instance, is regrettable, but let’s not forget, every nation controls its borders, and even diplomats sometimes face entry restrictions if protocols aren’t followed. This is standard practice worldwide, not a political slight.

When Kenyan and Ugandan activists traveled to Tanzania aiming to witness the Lissu trial, it is important to remember that crossing a border comes with responsibilities.

Tanzania isn’t rejecting accountability or regional cooperation; it’s insisting on respect for its internal processes.

Rushing to blame without appreciating these nuances only deepens misunderstandings and risks harming the very unity the EAC strives to build.

To my fellow Tanzanians: We must not be drawn into media theatrics. Our nation’s calm resolve in the face of provocation speaks volumes.

We should, however, insist that others treat our laws with the same respect they demand for theirs. To our Kenyan and Ugandan brothers and sisters: your concerns are noted, but let us not cloud regional harmony with personal political agendas.

This is not the time for noise—it’s the time for clarity. The East African dream will only thrive when mutual respect guides our actions. And on that note, let Tanzania do what it does best: uphold order, protect its sovereignty, and welcome all—under the law.

The writer is a Tanzanian economist, researcher and lecturer with expertise in development economics, international trade and economic policy. He serves as a research fellow at the University of Dar es Salaam