A CROSS-SECTION of Dar es Salaam residents has condemned the ongoing mudslinging of Tanzania by the press in Rwanda that has now started attacking the family of President Jakaya Kikwete.
Interviewees commenting on the latest news published by 'News of Rwanda' suggesting that Mama Salma Kikwete is the cousin of the former leader of Rwanda, Juvenal Habyarimana, was simply irrational. "The Rwandan press has demonstrated a high level of recklessness by attacking the family of President Kikwete and his private life.
This is another sign that there is a hidden agenda in these unfolding events," said a businessman, Mr Erasto Kanyika. Kanyika wondered as to why the Rwandan press has focused on mudslinging Tanzania and moreover on 'trivial and silly' things which are baseless.
"Rwandans want to tell us that Southern Tanzania where Mama Salma comes from is bordering Rwanda? Does the First Lady look like a Rwandan? This is outrageous," he said. Another city resident, Mr Juma Mwasha, said Rwandans should respect the government of Tanzania when it exercises its powers as an independent state.
"The fact that President Kikwete in his recent tour of Kagera Region ordered all illegal immigrants to return to their countries seems to have annoyed Rwandans, but the truth must be spoken out no matter how bitter it maybe," he said. Mr Mwasha, who is a public servant, noted that no country in the world can entertain illegal immigrants who do not want to follow legal procedures.
"If the Rwandan press thinks that such ill comments will soften our leaders including the president himself, they are wrong because our government will stand by its words and we the people of this country will also be there to support our leaders," he said. Ms Leyla Kassim, who is a retired nurse hailed the government for remaining composed despite all the provocation from the Rwandan side.
However, she said that 'unreasonable and provocative' comments should be downplayed. "There is a famous Kiswahili saying which suggests that if you urgue with a fool you will also be regarded as a fool. President Kikwete has received many commendations for his recent statements on Rwanda and this shows that our president has done a wonderful job," she said.
Adding a voice on the matter, the University of Dar es Salaam Political Scientist, Dr Benson Bana said the ongoing attacks by the Rwandan press seems to be a deliberate move by various groups to mudsling Tanzania by any means possible.
"It seems various groups and networks in Rwanda have their interests in the recent developments, including President Kikwete's order on illegal immigrants and therefore we should not be bothered by whatever appears in such media," he said.
Dr Bana refused to agree that what appears in the Rwandan press reflects the country's stand, but he rather looks at it as efforts by individuals or groups which want their interests to prevail. "In the recent past Kagera and other regions along the border have been in a crisis with so many bandits entering from abroad turning our citizens into slaves, so what does one expect President Kikwete to do in such a situation?
"I believe the president was very right when he ordered the illegal immigrants to leave immediately," he said. Dr Bana urged the Rwandan press to focus on giving civic education to their people and tell them on the importance of following rules and regulations, so they can be legally recognised in Tanzania instead of defending criminality.
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