{UAH} Folks as I was saying: Why Tanzania drags its feet in the EAC
|
8:46 AM |
No comments |
It all began as a big puzzle for East African political analysts and ordinary citizens alike.
As Tanzanians were celebrating US President Barack Obama's visit to their country and basking in yet more confirmation of their country's growing popularity with the leaders of the big powers and their president's growing status as a major player on the African scene, back in Kampala, the presidents of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda were also meeting.
It struck many as strange that they would choose to caucus at that particular moment, when their Tanzanian counterpart could not possibly attend.
Cynics tried to reduce the event to a "sour grapes" gathering, where leaders not considered to be politically kosher by the democracy-promoting Americans chose to show that they too had important business to attend to during the time.
But was it?
Well, it soon became clear that the three presidents had been up to some very important business, discussing how to speed up integration among their countries. Why, though, were they leaving out Tanzania?
And now they have met again, this time in Mombasa, again without Jakaya Kikwete.
There is much speculation about why the three countries are operating outside the framework of the EAC Treaty, and excluding Tanzania. Two reasons stand out.
One is that Tanzania is responsible for the slow pace of integration, and that other three countries have chosen not to be detained by its filibustering of the process.
The other is that Tanzania is far more committed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) than to the EAC. Both are false.
Tanzania, experts and informed observers contend, is not any more responsible for the slow integration process than the other members. Detailed analysis of what is happening shows that each of the five member countries bears some responsibility.
However, Tanzania bears more responsibility than the others. On the economic front, it is the most reluctant to implement measures designed to open up its economy.
A Tanzanian businessman with interests in Uganda and Kenya is critical of "its cumbersome entry visa and work permit requirements for East African citizens at a time when Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya have all but done away with them."
A Dar es Salaam-based Ugandan confirmed this. His work permit cost him $2,050 and took three months to get.
Speculation about Tanzania showing more commitment to SADC is simply not well informed, according to the frustrated businessman: "If you ask businessmen from other SADC member states, you will hear the same complaints about Tanzania as the ones made by those from the EAC."
It all began as a big puzzle for East African political analysts and ordinary citizens alike.
As Tanzanians were celebrating US President Barack Obama's visit to their country and basking in yet more confirmation of their country's growing popularity with the leaders of the big powers and their president's growing status as a major player on the African scene, back in Kampala, the presidents of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda were also meeting.
It struck many as strange that they would choose to caucus at that particular moment, when their Tanzanian counterpart could not possibly attend.
Cynics tried to reduce the event to a "sour grapes" gathering, where leaders not considered to be politically kosher by the democracy-promoting Americans chose to show that they too had important business to attend to during the time.
But was it?
Well, it soon became clear that the three presidents had been up to some very important business, discussing how to speed up integration among their countries. Why, though, were they leaving out Tanzania?
And now they have met again, this time in Mombasa, again without Jakaya Kikwete.
There is much speculation about why the three countries are operating outside the framework of the EAC Treaty, and excluding Tanzania. Two reasons stand out.
One is that Tanzania is responsible for the slow pace of integration, and that other three countries have chosen not to be detained by its filibustering of the process.
The other is that Tanzania is far more committed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) than to the EAC. Both are false.
Tanzania, experts and informed observers contend, is not any more responsible for the slow integration process than the other members. Detailed analysis of what is happening shows that each of the five member countries bears some responsibility.
However, Tanzania bears more responsibility than the others. On the economic front, it is the most reluctant to implement measures designed to open up its economy.
A Tanzanian businessman with interests in Uganda and Kenya is critical of "its cumbersome entry visa and work permit requirements for East African citizens at a time when Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya have all but done away with them."
A Dar es Salaam-based Ugandan confirmed this. His work permit cost him $2,050 and took three months to get.
Speculation about Tanzania showing more commitment to SADC is simply not well informed, according to the frustrated businessman: "If you ask businessmen from other SADC member states, you will hear the same complaints about Tanzania as the ones made by those from the EAC."
--
UAH forum is devoted to matters of interest to Ugandans and Africans in general. Individuals are responsible for whatever they post on this forum.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment