Good People,
From the recent reporting, there are serious concern that Kagame is prepared to retaliate because M23 have been driven out of Kivu. Now the M23 having disappeared into Rwanda is an indication and confirmation that M23 was engineered from Rwanda by Kagame.
In which case, the Tutsi Militia of M23 which was therefore infused inside DR Congo holed in Kivu and spread into GOMA is now a confirmation that the reports made with recent incidences concludes facts that, it was Kagame's trick to plant his Private M23 Militia-men inside Congo to terrorize and weaken Government of Congo in an organized theft for Congo's Mineral Resource.
There is no good intention or need for any sort of EAC SUMMIT MEETING for this or any other matter.
There are unfinished business of Land Grabbing that has become a CORE VALUE for DEALS in these corrupt leaders' negotiations interests shared amongsts Museveni, Kagame, Moi, Kibaki, Raila and Uhuru, and those are reason focus for taking Migingo, which is why there are added interest of Musevenis public cry for Kenyas Mombasa Port with loose hijacking proposal of Kismayu Port Agenda.
Whatever the case is, Land is protected under the CONSTITUTION and all these matter of LAND must pass through public referendum acceptances and they cannot simply be dished out for FREE LOADING for Thievers of Special Business Interests. This was another reason why Raila was HAMMERING FOR THE REFERENDUM to change the constitution and sneak in dangerous clauses that benefit special interest and not the people. We already knew that Salim Saleh Militia Groups is intended to take control from Kismayu port, while Museveni is geared to take control from Mombasa Port in their quest for Corruption, Pirating and proliferation of arms with manning of Militia terrorist groups. No East African Community will be formed into a Federation without being passed and agreed as Country's policy without being passed under the constitution. No Law that affect National Sovereignty can be passed half-hazardly by the politically correct society nor shall it go unnoticed when the irresponsible and corrupt leaders stage a coup for it.
President Kikwete is therefore right for not disassociating himself over this matter and this is why these leaders got upset and ganged against him, thinking they will quash and destroy Kikwetes stand to protect public interest. Any right thinking person may not involve in this kind of SUMMIT AGENDA.........Their mission will hit a snag.........and there shall be no two ways about this..........Public interest is protected by the Constitution and going against it amounts to serious crime of injustices.
East Africa People, wake up!!! Wake-up and stand with Kikwete to safeguard your interests when push turns to shove ............!!!
Kagame must face justice now and not later. People of the world must not let Kagame to get away with these heinous acts. To serve as a warning to the rest, it is time Kagame face the law for all evil he caused to the Congo people. Congo people also have a rights to live a respectful, dignified and honorable peaceful livelihood and they too have a right to have their lives secured and protected. The world must see to it that, Justice is not denied to the Congo People.
Kagame forgets that he was recently full of himself, chest-thumbing and threatened Kikwete in the open when he recently visited South Sudan saying that, Kikwete will not know when he will make an attack on him, which means, he was already prepared to attack and silence Kikwete for trying to block him from his theft and threats of Congo.......trying to scare off Kikwete to keep off from Kagame's Free Loading theft of Congo Mineral Resources.
There are proof that Kagame committed crimes, violation and abuse of Congo's territory and Sovereignty.
Kagame must not continue to inject lethal attacks on Congo people and he must stop the MACHO muscles to jungle around with peoples livelihood and survival fooling peoples intelligent with unfounded stupid allegations and with getting away with crimes of extra-judicial killings, and endangering humanity with theft of stealing from Congo's wealth and resources; free loading what does not belong to him. Kagame is trying stage-manage Adolf Hitler style in East Africa and he must be stopped now. African People all over the world, already know exactly what Kagame has been doing and because of that, people hate him so much that he was recently pelted with rotten eggs when he last visited Britain?
It is because, there must be some limitation for peoples pain and suffering. Congo people cannot go on for decades unending in such pathetic killings, suppression and oppression.
This behavior of Kagame terrorism must not be left to continue any further as people's lives in Congo have value and are presently at extreme critical situation. Enough is enough. There are enough evidence against Kagame terrorism of Congo through M23 factor and the United Nation Agency of Ban-Ki-Moon with leaders of the world must prefer charges against Kagama without wasting any more time.
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
To: mabadilikotanzania <mabadilikotanzania@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 7:04 AM
Subject: [Mabadiliko] Rwanda Deploys Tanks At DRC Border As M7 Calls Crisis Meet
Leaders in the Great Lakes region are expected to hold an emergency meeting in Kampala next Thursday to stop an imminent war between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chimp Corps report.
The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) said in a statement on Saturday night the "extraordinary summit on the security situation in Eastern DRC" will be held at Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo.
The ICGLR is composed of Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and DRC's Joseph Kabila are expected to attend the meeting.
RDF commandos are being deployed along the border with DRC
Impeccable sources said the Summit was called by President Yoweri Museveni after it became clear that Rwanda had finalized preparations to respond to attacks by the DRC army.
For the better part of this week, the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) has been deploying armoured tanks and piling heavily-armed soldiers along its border with DRC in preparation for combat.
This followed Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo's strong-worded statement, warning that "the persistent shelling of Rwandan territory is unacceptable, as it would be to any sovereign nation."
"Rwandan civilians are being targeted by DRC forces. We have remained restrained for as long as we can but this provocation can no longer be tolerated. We have the capacity to determine who fired at us and will not hesitate to defend our territory. Rwanda has a responsibility to protect its population," warned Mushikiwabo.
A woman was killed and her baby injured in Rubavu during this week's cross-border shelling by the DRC forces, raising political temperatures in the region.
DRC denies bombing Rwanda.
President Museveni has reportedly been in touch with Kagame and Kabila, urging them not to go to war.
Following the clashes between M23 and the allied forces of Tanzania, South Africa and DRC, Museveni reportedly asked rebels to pull out from the frontline to pave way for a political solution to the crisis.
The rebel Movement leader, Bertrand Bisiimwa quickly pulled out the militants from the battlefield.
Rwandan paratrooper
Museveni is said to have as well asked Kabila to restrain his army from attacking Rwanda and rebels.
However, on Friday night, FARDC continued bombing M23 positions.
The ICGLR on Friday said it was gravely concerned by the escalating violence and resumption of hostility in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between the government troops and M23.
RDF commandos breaking bricks with their fists
"The ICGLR wishes to reiterate that the Summit of ICGLR Heads of States and Government of 24th November, 2012 and that of July, 2013 mandated and reaffirmed the support to the political/diplomatic dialogue in Kampala, process aiming at allowing the DRC Government to listen, evaluate and resolve the legitimate grievances of M23 and M23 to stop expanding the war forthwith the process, the statement read in part.
"The ICGLR calls for the DRC Government and M23 to go back and conclude the dialogue process to allow for sustainable solution to the crisis. The ICGLR also calls for international Community and International Agencies to provide assistance to the victim of the conflict."
RDF military in intense drills
The ICGLR said it looked forward for cessation of hostility and solution that should preserve the national integrity of DRC and allow the region to enjoy peace and stability.
'Walk The Talk'
Frederick M. Katulanda
Cell: +255 784 642620,
Alternative:+255 754 642620
E-mail: fkatulanda@yahoo.com
Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
Kenya: Moyale Tense As 12 Killed
1 September 2013Moyale — Moyale remained a ghost town for the second day as reports indicate at least 12 people died on Friday during the inter-clan gun battle.
Civilian sources indicated that both sides involved in the Friday fighting lost its fighters.
"Nine of the fighters from the Gabra side were killed while the Borana lost three," said a NGO official who declined to be named for security reasons.
Marsabit County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru said there were deaths on both sides adding that police were unable to ascertain the exact figure of casualties.
"No side is willing to tell the number of fighters killed. Police are combing the scene of the fighting to see if they can recover bodies " Nakoru told The Standard on phone from Moyale.
The administrator denied reports that four security personnel, three from the army and one GSU officer died during the fights.
Nakoru said seven civilians sustained gunshot wounds and are undergoing treatment at the Moyale District Hospital.
Civilian and NGO sources put the figure of those injured at 15.
The Observer (Kampala)
Uganda: Brig Gwanga Blames 'Muhoozi Talk' for Eviction
By David Tash Lumu & Siraje Lubwama, 6 August 2013
Brig Kasirye Gwanga has linked the renewed push to evict him from his residential house in Makindye, to elements within government trying to harass him for his highly critical views on First Son Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In an interview on Tuesday, Gwanga told The Observer that he started getting into trouble the day he came out boldly to oppose any future plans to propel Muhoozi to the presidency, way before exiled Gen David Sejusa penned his damning dossier on the 'the Muhoozi project'.
The government and the army have severally denied claims that there exists a grand plan to prepare Muhoozi to take over from his father at some point.
"Some of these elements are trying to instigate my harassment and my eviction because I at one time referred to Muhoozi as 'that boy' not knowing that I discussed Muhoozi's issue with President Museveni and we agreed or disagreed in one way or the other, and it is no longer an issue with me," Gwanga told The Observer.
The Observer had sought Gwanga's view, following the latest attempt by police to evict him from his Kizungu 'residence' in Makindye. In May this year, Gwanga, a senior presidential adviser on security in Buganda, told the Daily Monitor that the idea of pushing Brig Muhoozi to replace Museveni would cause instability in the country.
"Succession talk is useless and the moment he comes up with his son as a successor, he has got problems with Kasirye Gwanga. [There should be] no civilian politics in the army. Don't underestimate us, otherwise you are playing with fire," he said then.
"But who is succeeding who? Whom did Gen Museveni succeed? He came fighting! We were all fighting. I'm 60 years old and we have seen it all! Let me warn that boy (Brig Muhoozi), not even to think of taking over Uganda. Uganda will take care of itself."
Asked, yesterday, to name these government 'elements' trying to nail him, Gwanga singled out Tamale Mirundi, the presidential press secretary. He also vowed to deal with Mirundi. Gwanga warned that Tamale, in his capacity as a journalist, should tread carefully on matters of soldiers because the two professions are not related.
"Can you believe that this Tamale Mirundi, who went to my farm and ate whatever he wished on my consent ... says I invited him to eat a pig and he refused because he is well off with 10 mansions? What do Tamale's mansions, if he has any, help me?" Gwanga asked.
Gwanga insists that those who want him to be evicted from his residence should know that he acquired a lease from Buganda Land Board. Kiwalabye Male, the secretary Buganda Land Board agrees with Gwanga; he says the plot belongs to the brigadier.
Mirundi, on his part, roundly denies having anything to do with Gwanga's eviction. He says he doesn't need a house because he has so many 'mansions' in town. At the weekend, police tried to evict Gwanga. But their mission was foiled by Gwanga, the LC I chairman of Kizungu zone and boda boda riders, who are Gwanga's friends.
Gwanga told The Observer that police claimed they had an order to evict him from the house, which they said belonged to the wife of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. Gwanga says the plot number on the title the police presented was different from his, and was located in Lukuli yet his house is found in Kizungu zone.
Police Spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba insists police have a court order and they will evict Gwanga at any cost--even if it means using force.
Genesis:
Gwanga's predicament started last month, when the High court's Land division ordered him to explain why he had refused to vacate a house in Makindye, which he had occupied since 1990.
Two companies, Owalla Home Investments Ltd and Mowm Construction Ltd, claim they are the proprietors of plots 427 and 428 in Lukuli, Makindye. The plot has a house, valued at Shs 560m, which Gwanga claims he owns.
The two companies told court that Gwanga, while still director in-charge of barracks and stores in the UPDF, approached them on behalf of the army and asked to rent the said house because it was near Makindye state lodge. He said in renting the house, the army wanted to secure the strategic security interests of the state.
However, Gwanga retained it after his mission was completed. Through Lex Advocates and Solicitors, the companies add that despite repeated demands for rent, Gwanga did not pay. He, instead, referred them to the army, the UPDF and government said they had never made any conclusive arrangements to rent the said house.
The lawyers secured an eviction order, which police was trying to enforce last week. Gwanga told The Observer that he would not leave the house even if "Jesus came back".
.......... No Way Kenyans Dont Be Fooled By Museveni to accept and Embrace Land Grabbing, he is a big thief .......shame on him.....Fight It Out.......We are here and we shall together help you in this fight ......Dont Sell your Birth Rights........Ashame the Devil and Kagame with Museveni must be faught very hard and be put in their Rightful places where they belong !!!!........Dont Play..........Gwe Sundu mar Ngato dabal.......
Uganda: President Advises Kenyans to Embrace EAC Integration
31 August 2013
President Yoweri Museveni has advised the people of Kenya to embrace the integration process of East Africa that will give the region strength and leverage to compete favourably with world nations in terms of trade.
"These days I am very excited on the issue of integration. We have been suffering from a political anemia. But with the young leadership of Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Vice President William Ruto, we have got a new blood supply. I can now feel anemia improving", the beaming President told the cheering crowd.
President Museveni made the remarks on Thursday y at the Mombasa International Show held at Mombasa show ground in Mombasa County where he was the guest of honour.
The President commended President Kenyatta for moving very fast in the few months of his administration to remove 43 out of 45 road blocks that dotted the road from Mombasa Port to Malaba border post with Uganda. The President, therefore, called on wanainchi in Kenya to embrace the process of unification of the region to form a big market that will not only attract investors but will also boost trade within the East African countries and beyond.
"Why do you want to admire other people's strength? Why don't you want to build your own strength? If you are not strong, nobody in the world will strengthen you. If you build united East Africa, we can bargain with countries like America, Europe, China and others in terms of trade", he said.
President Museveni illustrated his point by citing one of the Kinyankole proverbs that goes, "when one invites you for a meal, he expects you also to in turn invite him. But if you don't have anything, who will bother to invite you", he told the amused audience.
President Museveni also warned the wanainchi of Kenya against the archaic cultural practice of inheritance that he stressed "must be condemned".
"On this issue of inheritance, you need to talk about it. This backward inheritance practice must be condemned. If a person has 10 acres of land, he has to divide them among the 10 children and there will be no land left for production. Land should be for production and the proceeds portioned out as shares to family members", he counseled.
Mr. Museveni further hailed President Kenyatta for handing out land deeds to wanainchi whom he urged to adopt modern commercial farming.
"First of all, I would like to thank President Kenyatta for the agricultural show. Agriculture is very important. Today we are talking about commercial agriculture for financial and food security. You should know that the future lies in modern agriculture, industry, services and Information and Communications Technology", he said.
The President further called on the people of Kenya to shun sectarian tendencies along tribal and religious leanings adding that we, the people of East Africa, value and need each other for purposes of trade.
"I am a Munyankole and Banyankole are cattle keepers. All produce milk and no one can buy from the other. Now, who buys my milk? It is the people of Kampala and neighbouring countries. If I was only thinking about the Banyankole, I would be very poor. So don't get into conflict with people who can help you", he counseled.
President Museveni later watched a spectacular livestock parade by farmers and handed out certificates to the best performers in the 2013 Mombasa International Show, who included among others, an 8-year old girl, Alyssa Jamal.
Welcoming his guest to Mombasa show grounds, President Kenyatta thanked President Museveni for finding time to visit the show. He highlighted the importance of the removal of barriers that impede the free movement and trade between the people of East Africa.
"The people of East Africa should be able to move freely across borders to trade. People from Kenya should move freely and do business in Uganda and the people of Kampala and Soroti should also be able to bring their matooke and food to sell to Kenyans, is that not good?" he asked the crowd that responded in the affirmative amid ululations. The Kenyan leader further noted that it was the only way forward to create a healthy situation for our children and future generations to come.
The Vice-President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, hailed the visionary leadership of President Museveni that promoted building strength in the region and forging ahead with unity.
"Soon, barriers that divided us will be eliminated. We want East Africa that is united by trade and development. With President Museveni's vision, we are confident that we shall have an East Africa that we will be proud of", he said
The Observer (Kampala)
Uganda: Why Museveni Met Kenyatta, Kagame
By Sulaiman Kakaire, 27 June 2013The decision by three East African leaders to meet in Kampala in the absence of their two East African Community colleagues and announce major infrastructure projects and fast-tracking of the political federation agenda has left people wondering whether the bloc is falling apart.
Asked why Tanzania and Burundi were not at the meeting, President Museveni, flanked by Rwanda's Paul Kagame and Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta, answered that it was not shameful and that they would be briefed.
Indeed, it was not shameful and they will be briefed but that response didn't sound convincing at all, as it doesn't really explain why Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura couldn't come. East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Dan Kidega is one of the people worried about the health of the community in light of the Kampala meeting that excluded Tanzania and Burundi.
Kidega says whereas the meeting's resolutions were in line with existing provisions, not having some members at the table kills the spirit of unity among member states.
"Some of the things that they agreed upon have already been discussed and considered at the EAC level but it perturbs me to hear that a tripartite arrangement is discussing the same. This is not in good faith," Kidega told The Observer.
The three heads of state, who met at State House Entebbe on Tuesday, signed a memorandum of understanding binding them to improve relations and enhance development among their countries.
They resolved to revamp the East African railways network and build one standard railway system connecting the three countries, clear non-tariff barriers by forming a customs territory, as well as set up two oil pipelines connecting the three states.
Besides, they agreed to invest in building an oil refinery in Uganda, improve accessibility and affordability of electricity in their countries, as well as invest in the exploration of renewable energy sources.
In addition, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda undertook to fast-track the East African Community in regard to achieving a political federation, as well as expediting an identity card for the people of East Africa.
Under Article 7(e) of the East African Treaty, the three states had a right to meet and take such decisions using the principle of flexibility, which allows for progression in cooperation among a sub-group of members, even if this happens at a different pace from the rest of the region.
"The meeting had the legal mandate to agree on issues if they feel that they are ready, and it is about setting the pace for the other members to catch up with the pace set by them," said Fred Mukasa Mbidde, another EALA representative.
Kidega concurred with the legal cover but maintained that the meeting was held in bad faith.
"They agreed to have a customs territory but it is very clear that at the EAC level they had already agreed to have a customs union. And, if they are interested in the union, they should have asked why this had failed to work, not just rushing to make other moves," Kidega said.
Doomed or boosted?
Whereas Kidega and Mbidde are optimistic that the infrastructural projects agreed on by the three heads of state can be achieved, they argue that for the meeting to discuss fast-tracking political federation without Burundi and Tanzania was a waste of time.
"These two are member states and a political federation cannot just be pushed without their involvement," said Kidega. Mbidde added that although the heads of state may be heavily interested in political federation, it requires the input of all stakeholders.
"Based on the different findings that have been carried out to establish the challenges that the process towards a political federation was finding, it was discovered that citizens as well as stakeholders of the five partner states have to be involved and consent to its formation," says Mbidde.
In 2011, a team of experts released a report titled "Addressing the fears, concerns and challenges of the East African Federation".
According to the findings, concerns were raised about differences in land tenure systems of partner states and possible loss of land due to free movement of people and rights of establishment within the EAC partner states.
The report recommended the involvement of stakeholders in the process. The desire to fast-track the regional political federation endeavour is not new. East African Community leaders several years ago proposed a single president by 2013, and a commission was established to seek the views of East Africans about it.
While the move enjoyed significant support in Kenya and Uganda, Tanzanians were not very enthusiastic. Rwanda and Burundi had not yet joined.
Analysts say that Tanzania's cautious approach towards federation has left other leaders who prefer faster movement towards that goal, like Museveni, a little frustrated. Such frustration could explain why some member countries have decided to make a bold move and wait for the others to make up their mind.
Some members are also uncomfortable with Tanzania's perceived preference for the southern Africa bloc (SADC) to the EAC. Dr Philip Kasaija, a lecturer of international law and relations at Makerere University, believes a meeting like the one in Kampala creates disharmony in the path to a political federation.
"Whatever they are trying to do cannot be achieved because a political federation requires the concurrence of partner states," he said.
However, another analyst who didn't want to be named said it could well be the tonic that the community needed.
"When the member countries that were foot-dragging realise that others are marching on, it could hasten the process as they too jump onto the ship lest they get left behind," he said.
Why Tanzania missed:
While President Museveni described the curious absence of the other two East African members as "not shameful", adding that they would be briefed accordingly, he didn't say why they were absent.
Kasaija believes that the "cold war" between Rwanda and Tanzania might have something to do with it.
"You cannot rule out the explanation that Tanzania missed because of its disagreement with Rwanda in their foreign relations," Kasaija says.
Following last month's call by Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete at a meeting of heads of state from the Great Lakes Region in Addis Ababa, that Kigali should hold talks with Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), rebels fighting the Kigali government from bases inside DR Congo, relations between the two countries have hit a cool patch.
President Kagame referred to the comments as utter nonsense. Kikwete was asked to withdraw the remarks and apologise, but he has refused to do so. The FDLR is a sensitive issue in Kigali because of the former's role in the 1994 genocide, as well as its continued security threat to Rwanda.
The militia draws most of its members from the genocidaires, who participated in the 1994 mass killings. Kasaija was also quick to mention the impending visit by US President Barrack Obama, saying it could well be a factor too.
Obama is visiting Tanzania this week, and so Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda might have wanted to use the meeting to make the statement that the region has more important things to attend to.
"Why did they have to wait when he is visiting? Maybe if it was not deliberate, they should have waited when his tour is done," he said.
The US president's African tour that began this week has so far taken Obama to Senegal, with South Africa and Tanzania also lined up. According to regional commentator Charles Onyango-Obbo, Obama's choice of the three countries is based on their considerable respect for democracy and multiparty politics.
"They are all today multiparty democracies. Secondly, they have presidential term limits. Thirdly, they are corrupt yes, but certainly not among the worst in Africa. By and large, at least Ghana and Senegal hold fairly free elections in which the opposition has a fairly good shot at winning," Obbo argued in a newspaper column.
Commenting on the possible future of EAC without Tanzania, Kasaija argues that the latter does not lose anything from being locked out.
"Tanzania obviously has leverage over other countries because of its strategic location. It is not like Uganda and Rwanda which are in the cooperation because of their landlocked nature. It can move out anytime since it has access to the coast and after all it has SADC," Kasaija says.
Tanzania skips meetings, leaves EAC worried
Photo/REUTERS
By Lucas Barasa, 4 December 2011
Tanzania last week sparked fears over its commitment to the East African Community when it failed to attend two key meetings in Bujumbura, Burundi and forced the alteration of a report by the Council of Ministers before its adoption by the Heads of State Summit.
Though the country participated in the technical discussions and Council of Ministers meeting, it failed to attend the signing of a report to fast-track EAC integration and political federation that was presented to the Heads of State.
Tanzania's representatives were further conspicuously absent from a high-profile seminar for Members of Parliament from the five national assemblies and the East African Legislative Assembly that was attended by at least eight Speakers from the region and other regional blocs.
Zanzibar's House of Representatives Speaker Pandu Ameir Kificho who, had been invited as the Isle's National Assembly representative, arrived late for the function and stated that the process of integration should be democratic and anchored in the equality of member states for political federation to succeed.
Tanzania also sent its Vice-President Mohamed Ghalib Bilal to represent it at the Heads of State conference while Rwanda, whose leader Paul Kagame has missed three consecutive summits, sent its prime minister Pierre Damien Habumurenyi.
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki took over the chairmanship of the EAC during the Bujumbura meeting from host Pierre Nkurunziza. Uganda's Yoweri Museveni was also present at the first major international meeting held in Burundi, which is struggling to recover from persistent internal conflict.
During the conference, Tanzania rejected an experts' report on "concerns, fears and challenges" facing the EAC political federation, especially the inclusion of land, transformation of the EAC Secretariat into a commission with more teeth and a protocol on co-operation in defence.
Although Tanzania later signed the communiqué issued at the Summit, its Minister for East African Co-operation Samuel Sitta said it only did so after the Heads of State agreed to include further negotiations on co-operation in defence for the next one year and that the issue of land remain as is in the Common Market protocol.
Tanzania has stated that land will not be part of EAC, calling on all investors from the regional bloc wishing to invest there to follow available channels and national laws.
"We have told ministers representing other member states that Tanzania is not interested in further discussion on the issue of land. It was completed before signing the Common Market Protocol," Mr Sitta stated.
He said that Tanzanians are concerned about their land because of cultural aspects as well as government policies.
"Land in Tanzania is owned traditionally. And on the other side of the coin, land is government property. So, those in the region who are eyeing Tanzania's land should forget it."
Mr Sitta's comments came barely three days after the Tanzanian delegation refused to sign the report submitted to the Heads of State summit, on the grounds that there were contentious issues outstanding like land, mutual foreign and security policy and identity cards.
Similar agreement
Commenting on the issue of mutual foreign and security policy, the minister said that Tanzania has already signed a similar protocol with SADC.
"We wanted the policy to be clearly stated on the matter, so that we do not get into trouble in future. We are glad that the Heads of State summit heard our concerns and directed amendment of the sections accordingly."
He assured Tanzanians that the government is keen to ensure their interests are protected in the EAC and the envisaged political federation.
On the issue of using IDs, the minister stated: "As Tanzania, we have rejected that. We want people who enter our borders to use passports and not the IDs of their countries. And this again is for the security of our people and their property."
He, however, explained: "We have given the go-ahead for other partner states to allow the use of IDs in their countries. But, for Tanzania, we say no!"
Tanzanian Vice President Dr Bilal pushed for implementing the two signed protocols before rushing into other processes, citing the Customs Union and Common Market protocols.
He said Tanzania is positive about the EAC integration process, but it should be step-by-step.
"We would like to see the already signed protocols benefit our people before rushing into other stages. What are we rushing for?"
East Africa: Tanzania Skips Meetings, Leaves EAC Worried
By Lucas Barasa, 4 December 2011Tanzania last week sparked fears over its commitment to the East African Community when it failed to attend two key meetings in Bujumbura, Burundi and forced the alteration of a report by the Council of Ministers before its adoption by the Heads of State Summit.
Though the country participated in the technical discussions and Council of Ministers meeting, it failed to attend the signing of a report to fast-track EAC integration and political federation that was presented to the Heads of State.
Tanzania's representatives were further conspicuously absent from a high-profile seminar for Members of Parliament from the five national assemblies and the East African Legislative Assembly that was attended by at least eight Speakers from the region and other regional blocs.
Zanzibar's House of Representatives Speaker Pandu Ameir Kificho who, had been invited as the Isle's National Assembly representative, arrived late for the function and stated that the process of integration should be democratic and anchored in the equality of member states for political federation to succeed.
Tanzania also sent its Vice-President Mohamed Ghalib Bilal to represent it at the Heads of State conference while Rwanda, whose leader Paul Kagame has missed three consecutive summits, sent its prime minister Pierre Damien Habumurenyi.
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki took over the chairmanship of the EAC during the Bujumbura meeting from host Pierre Nkurunziza. Uganda's Yoweri Museveni was also present at the first major international meeting held in Burundi, which is struggling to recover from persistent internal conflict.
During the conference, Tanzania rejected an experts' report on "concerns, fears and challenges" facing the EAC political federation, especially the inclusion of land, transformation of the EAC Secretariat into a commission with more teeth and a protocol on co-operation in defence.
Although Tanzania later signed the communiqué issued at the Summit, its Minister for East African Co-operation Samuel Sitta said it only did so after the Heads of State agreed to include further negotiations on co-operation in defence for the next one year and that the issue of land remain as is in the Common Market protocol.
Tanzania has stated that land will not be part of EAC, calling on all investors from the regional bloc wishing to invest there to follow available channels and national laws.
"We have told ministers representing other member states that Tanzania is not interested in further discussion on the issue of land. It was completed before signing the Common Market Protocol," Mr Sitta stated.
He said that Tanzanians are concerned about their land because of cultural aspects as well as government policies.
"Land in Tanzania is owned traditionally. And on the other side of the coin, land is government property. So, those in the region who are eyeing Tanzania's land should forget it."
Mr Sitta's comments came barely three days after the Tanzanian delegation refused to sign the report submitted to the Heads of State summit, on the grounds that there were contentious issues outstanding like land, mutual foreign and security policy and identity cards.
Similar agreement
Commenting on the issue of mutual foreign and security policy, the minister said that Tanzania has already signed a similar protocol with SADC.
"We wanted the policy to be clearly stated on the matter, so that we do not get into trouble in future. We are glad that the Heads of State summit heard our concerns and directed amendment of the sections accordingly."
He assured Tanzanians that the government is keen to ensure their interests are protected in the EAC and the envisaged political federation.
On the issue of using IDs, the minister stated: "As Tanzania, we have rejected that. We want people who enter our borders to use passports and not the IDs of their countries. And this again is for the security of our people and their property."
He, however, explained: "We have given the go-ahead for other partner states to allow the use of IDs in their countries. But, for Tanzania, we say no!"
Tanzanian Vice President Dr Bilal pushed for implementing the two signed protocols before rushing into other processes, citing the Customs Union and Common Market protocols.
He said Tanzania is positive about the EAC integration process, but it should be step-by-step.
"We would like to see the already signed protocols benefit our people before rushing into other stages. What are we rushing for?"
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