{UAH} Eac tensions: Make choices based on facts and figures - Opinion/Editorial - thecitizen.co.tz

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Eac-tensions--Make-choices-based-on-facts-and-figures/-/1840568/2035494/-/igugo/-/index.html

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Eac tensions: Make choices based on facts and figures - Opinion/Editorial

Tanzania is closely watching the so-called "coalition of the willing" before making a concrete decision on its membership of the East African Community (EAC).

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe told The Citizen yesterday that the country is keeping an eye on the move by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to isolate Tanzania in the proposed political federation. This is precisely what one would expect from a leadership that makes decisions on the basis of credible data.

Tanzania, being a key and founding member of the EAC, ought to have played a leading role in drafting the constitution of the proposed federation. But much as Tanzania's leaders may view their exclusion with resentment and opt out of the bloc, it is imperative that we breathe in deeply and consider the pros and cons of such a decision. Tanzania could, of course, choose to go the European Union way, where the United Kingdom and Denmark have clung to the Sterling Pound and Kroner respectively despite being key members of the EU.

Whatever the case, we should proceed cautiously. Tanzania's exports to other EAC member states grew by 380 per cent--from $96.4 million in 2005 to $462.7 million in 2010. Such data should count in arriving at a decision. This way, we would avoid a situation where businesses crave a return to the bloc. As things stand, the business community has been pushing for Tanzania to rejoin the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

The business gurus argue that the country has recorded annual losses of $60 million since it opted out of the trading bloc in 2000.

Quitting the EAC and focusing on the Southern African Development Community may also not be advisable at a time when the three regional groupings are harmonising their programmes in a drive to form a single trading bloc. Any decision should be based on a sober and comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of such a move.

Eac tensions: Make choices based on facts and figures - Opinion/Editorial - thecitizen.co.tz
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Eac-tensions--Make-choices-based-on-facts-and-figures/-/1840568/2035494/-/igugo/-/index.html