NAIROBI, Kenya — A coalition of regional civil society organisations has sharply criticised recent remarks by Kenyan President William Ruto and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, warning that calls for tougher action against youth-led protests risk undermining democratic freedoms across East Africa.
In a strongly worded joint statement, the Pan-African Solidarity Network and the Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network accused the two leaders of promoting rhetoric that could legitimise repression and shrink civic space in the region.
The statement follows comments made by President Suluhu during a recent public engagement in Dar es Salaam, where she called for coordinated regional action to manage what she described as disruptive cross-border activism by young protesters.
President Ruto, who was present, did not publicly challenge the remarks.
The civil society groups interpreted the comments as an endorsement of heavy-handed approaches to public demonstrations, particularly those driven by Gen Z activists who have played a prominent role in recent protests in Kenya.
“When leaders discuss disciplining citizens demanding accountability, it signals a dangerous shift away from constitutional governance,” the statement said, framing the remarks as inconsistent with democratic norms.
The organisations further alleged that similar rhetoric in the region has previously coincided with crackdowns on dissent, including arrests, restrictions on media, and limits on public assembly.
While the claims of widespread abuses cited in the statement remain contested and vary across jurisdictions, rights groups have in recent years raised concerns about the handling of protests in both Kenya and Tanzania, particularly regarding the use of force and enforcement measures.
The coalition anchored its criticism on constitutional and regional legal frameworks, including provisions that guarantee freedom of expression, assembly, and political participation. Kenya’s Constitution, for instance, affirms that sovereignty resides with the people and protects the right to peaceful protest.
The groups also referenced continental instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, arguing that state responses to dissent must remain within the rule of law.
In their demands, the organisations called on both governments to reaffirm their commitment to constitutionalism, respect court orders, and ensure accountability in the handling of protests.
They urged authorities to avoid actions that could escalate tensions ahead of key political milestones in the region, including future elections.
The civil society coalition concluded by urging citizens to continue exercising their rights lawfully, while calling for dialogue over confrontation in addressing political grievances.
