Washington, August 4 (RHC)-- Barack Obama has the authority as the president of the United States to close the Guantanamo prison as he believes torture is bad, according to a political commentator in Washington.

“If the Obama administration feels that torture is not in line with U.S. foreign policy, then he should close the Guantanamo Bay camp that is on occupied Cuban territory,” Editor of Pan-African News Wire Abayomi Azikiwe told Press TV on Sunday.

He made the remarks after President Obama acknowledged that the United States tortured some people after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks against the country.

Azikiwe also noted that torture taking place against prisoners in U.S. prisons is contrary to international law. “What is going on in Guantanamo Bay as well as other secret prisons around the world that are run by the United States is against international law, is a blatant human rights violation and it can be stopped if the administration had the political will to do so.”

The political commentator said: “When Obama first came in office in 2009, he said he was attempting to close the Guantanamo Bay. However, apparently he was not able to get the authorization by the United States Congress. But, as the chief executive officer of the United States government, he has the executive authority to close camps."

Azikiwe says torture is also taking place at prisons inside the United States, especially in the State of California calling it “a domestic issue as well as an international issue.”