Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has granted a presidential pardon to 1,548 prisoners in honour of the country’s 63rd independence anniversary.
22 prisoners were released immediately while the remaining 1,526 will serve reduced sentences.
The Tanzanian Ministry of Internal Affairs in a statement expressed hope that the pardoned individuals would successfully reintegrate into society and contribute positively to nation-building.
The Ministry explained in the statement that this year’s presidential pardon serves as a reminder of the balance between compassion and accountability in fostering a more inclusive and harmonious nation.
The annual celebrations of independence not only reflect on Tanzania’s freedom from colonial rule but also emphasise its enduring values of unity, justice, and progress.
Mainland Independence Day commemorates Tanganyika’s historic liberation from British colonial rule in 1961, marked by the lowering of the British flag and the raising of its own.
The Freedom Torch, symbolising hope and liberation, was famously placed atop Mount Kilimanjaro, representing a vision of progress for all of Africa.
The independence also set the stage for the 1964 union with Zanzibar, leading to the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
