TIT FOR TAT AND MORE TIT FOR TAT – A CYCLE OF NEGATIVITY
(Posted 11th January 2015)
Tanzanian tour and safari operators got a Christmas present from Kenya they will not forget for a while. Just before Christmas, according to information received, did Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport begin to block Tanzanian registered commercial vehicles, like safari cars and transit busses, from entering the airport to either drop off or delivery clients. Apparently did an earlier meeting in Nairobi resolve to fully implement the 1985 accord signed between the two countries, after the common border was, after a long closure following the collapse of the first East African Community, reopened.
‘We are now reciprocating their silly games’ said a periodic commentator from Nairobi before adding ‘You may remember that over the past years they have come up with requirements for work permits for drivers, extra fees for vehicles crossing over the border and all sorts of other uncalled for rubbish. The old accord does clearly say that Kenyan airports are off limits. We know that they are picking passengers by the bus loads from pick up points in Arusha for transport to JKIA or into the city. They are not barred from the city but now they cannot get into JKIA. If they want to change the agreement, let them come and sit down and present their wish list. We also have a wish list and Bologonja is on top of it. They are keeping that border closed hiding behind environmental reasons of increased traffic but the traffic goes up to Lobo Safari Lodge anyway, except it all comes from Arusha and then goes back to Arusha, doubling the emissions. They ignored our invitation to join the common tourist Visa initiative and there are other issues too with have with them. As I said, they can come and talk but it must be a give and take and not just take take take as they have done in the past. The Northern Corridor Integration is working well for us and we can no longer be blackmailed. We have shown fast tracked progress in many areas and there is no more room for people who stand on the brake pedal with both feet’.
From other details received is the Tanzanian government in contact with their Kenyan counterparts to find a solution as the transfer busses from Arusha now have to drop their clients off at a nearby site from where Kenyan registered cars then transport the passengers, at considerable loss of time and inconvenience, to the airport for their departure and vice versa.
Other more level headed individuals pointed at the various protocols now in effect between the EAC member countries and proposed that such issues be resolved on the multilateral platform through the mechanism of the East African Community, instead of perpetuating a constant state of tit for tat reactions which ultimately served no purpose but to create mistrust and antagonize the partners.
‘Under Mkapa there were no such issues and things were moving in the right direction. It is Kikwete who is a product of the socialist genre of the CCM and he never moved into the 21st century but remained in the 1970’s. When he is gone [Tanzania holds general elections later this year and the
president, having served two terms, cannot stand for a third term and has to
leave office] there may be hope that his mindset can be sent into retirement too along those who think of the past instead of the future’ added another regular source.
Whichever way the elections go in Tanzania, it is a long way off still and solutions are needed here and now and not in 10 months’ time.
In a related development has it been confirmed that the much hyped about Visa free travel for duly registered expatriates living in and travelling between the Coalition of the Willing countries is definitely not yet in place. This raises renewed questions about the statement made by the head of tourism and conservation at the Rwanda Development Board in mid December while the East African Tourism Platform has asked for up to 60 days implementation leeway. Here, as there will only time tell how things will develop so watch this space for future updates on both situations.
