“Tanzania is a vital partner in EAC but that does not stop the so-called
Coalition of the Willing to run. The country can after all join any
existing arrangement should it feel advantageous in the future,”
PHOTO|FILE
By By Elisha Magolanga,Anuciatha Lucas The Citizen
Posted Thursday, October 17 2013 at 00:00
Posted Thursday, October 17 2013 at 00:00
In Summary
The Open University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tolly
Mbwette, and the Official Opposition spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
and, Mr Ezekiel Wenje, concurred that Tanzania’s position was not under
any threat.
Dar es Salaam. Different views continue to be
aired over the raging debate whether Tanzania was being isolated in the
new cooperation championed by five East African Community (EAC) member
countries.
There have been divergent viewpoints following
what independent commentators and political analysts say is a
not-so-clear intention towards Tanzania following meetings held by the
“Coalition of the Willing” that encompasses Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and
lately Burundi.
Dar’s own mixed public posture over integration
has not helped to clear the air ever since the other EAC countries
announced plans to engage in tri-lateral initiatives.
However, these initiatives that are outside the
EAC framework have invited more scrutiny this week with the meeting in
Kampala over the fast-tracking of a political federation among the four
countries.
Yesterday, some interviewees held on to the view
that there was nothing to worry Tanzania over its position in the
regional bloc. They told The Citizen that the country had not been
isolated.
“In a narrow political perspective, one could
believe that Tanzania was being isolated, but as far as I know there has
been no official position in EAC to skip Tanzania in binding regional agreements,” said Dr Azaveli Lwaitama, a former lecturer at the
University of Dar es Salaam.
Dr Lwaitama who currently chairs the ‘Vision of
East Africa Forum’, a body aimed at promoting regional integration, said
it was not uncommon for countries to forge ahead in matters they felt
could hasten the unity and development of their people.
“Tanzania is a vital partner in EAC but that does
not stop the so-called Coalition of the Willing to run. The country can
after all join any existing arrangement should it feel advantageous in
the future,” explained Dr Lwaitama.
He further noted that all the EAC nations share a
common historical background, geographical position and social
interaction that defined why they all should pursue a shared destiny.
The Open University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tolly
Mbwette, and the Official Opposition spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
and, Mr Ezekiel Wenje, concurred that Tanzania’s position was not under
any threat.
The two are of the view that Tanzania ought not
worry over alleged isolation by the “willing” partners was not an agenda
of the EAC as it was defined. Prof Mbwette added that the discussions
of Lamu-Kigali railway construction by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda were
under a different framework.
Mr Wenje said the government should concentrate on
opening up business opportunities that put it on level or above its
regional competitors.
“Why don’t we improve our port so as to be in a good position to compete in the region?” the MP wondered.
But a political liaison officer at the British
High Commission in Dar es Salaam, Mr Victor Mlunde, cautioned that the
current tension over integration was bound to raise suspicions. He said
Tanzania should not ignore the signals coming from the other camp.
“Tanzania has an option whether to continue with
regional integration depending on its suitability. It can also look
elsewhere,” said Mlunde who said he was airing his personal view and not
that of the high commission.
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN
