Opinion
Tanzania’s self-interest must not derail integration
At the core of the integration process, whose institutional expression will be the common market and eventually the East African federation, must be the principle of free movement of labour, goods and capital.
Clever sounding protocols and complex tax regimes may keep the bureaucrats in Arusha and the respective capitals busy, but the heart and pulse of integration is allowing people to move freely, trade freely, work and pay taxes freely, and live and invest anywhere freely in the knowledge that these are rights and privileges they enjoy and the responsibilities they bear by being East Africans.
AS I HAVE ARGUED BEFORE IN THIS forum, Tanzania — and indeed every other country — has a right to pursue what is in the best interests of its people. Clearly, the leadership in Dar es Salaam does not consider regional integration a priority issue and they cannot be forced to push it higher up its national agenda.
But it must not hold back the other countries. The treaty that binds all the member states to proceed only if there is consensus must be amended to allow a majority vote secure an agreement for action. It should allow states ready to proceed on agreed actions to do so.
The agenda for integration is intimidating enough without the added aggravation of a partner that clearly has made up its mind to walk backwards.
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Tanzania is a drag. The idea of EA Partnership does not appeal to them. They have their own surplus labour; largely unskilled. They have a functioning port; that nobody wants. Their people can sneak in and out of Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda and Kenya anytime; why sign up EA? Also on their stubborness list, they believe, almost to the man, that Kenyans are thieves. Rwanda and Uganda do respect the potential of an EA partnership due to their special needs. Kenya should work with the willing neighbours. Kick out the proud. Life is a two-way street. Hail Tom Mshindi!
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Once beaten, twice shy. People criticizing TZ for their position on EAC should read some history of how the previous EA community ended in the 70s. But I am not saying Tanzania is doing the right thing, economically. There is an attitude issue here- how Tanzanians see kenyans- not very impressive. Ask Mutuma Mathiu and Mbogo Murage.
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Perhaps the pro EAC countries should seriously consider shifting the EAC hq to Kigali i.e. in the event TZ decides to pull out as is the most likely scenario. It's called plan B.
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