The media in Arusha this week reported Tanzania lifting residence restrictions for East African nationals. Tanzania reportedly "made what looked like a U-turn” at  the third round of negotiations for the EAC Common Market Protocol held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Reporters probably called it a U-turn because Tanzania’s East Africa Cooperation minister Diodorus Kamala was reported to have been criticised two months ago when he announced that the country would continue to object to the free movement and access to land by people who were not Tanzanians other than "serious investors”. 

According to The Citzen, a local paper here, the EAC Spokesperson Alot Magaga said that Tanzania lifted its objections to the inclusion of the article on the right of residence.

The draft protocol suggests, among others, that a national of a partner state shall be enabled to acquire or access and use land and buildings situated in the territory of another partner state for purposes of establishment.

Tanzania initially objected to the right of residence alongside with other terms under the proposed EAC Common Market such as free movement of labour across the borders, preferring further negotiations.

Although Tanzanian officials were not available by press time to confirm to these reports, going by efforts being put in by partner states to build the EAC spirit, this is good news coming at a time it is needed most.

It also comes at a time Rwandans are being consulted on what they think of the different components of EAC integration which among others include; free movement of people and goods and the fast tracking process of the EAC political federation.

Further, Tanzania’s deputy minister for East African Cooperation, Mohamed Aboud was quoted saying that Tanzania has no objection to foreigners working in the country because it is short of doctors, engineers and other experts.

This was a brilliant observation; we now live in a world of complementing each other, a world of partnerships for mutual benefits of everybody.

Mr Aboud’s observation answers the biggest question of how the living standards of 120 million East Africans will be improved. With this kind of thinking and cooperation, Tanzania can learn from Rwanda’s advanced expertise in information and technology and Rwanda can do the same from Tanzania. 

Private-sector led economies cannot be realised in the East African region unless there is free movement of people and further, having unnecessary conditions that impede trade in services among the partner states totally removed.

For instance, ever since an agreeable position was taken by partner states on the 24 hour operation of borders, EAC national will tell you that this has improved business. 

The alarm of EAC integration was sounded again recently by President Paul Kagame, who is also Chairperson of the regional bloc, who asked East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to play a vital role in determining the kind of community our region wants.

What is of paramount importance here is for our leaders to think of the enormous benefits of EAC integration in the long run and not in the short run. We are here today, but we won’t be here tomorrow. So, what kind of legacy is being left behind? 

Tanzania’s U-turn offers a bright future to its citizens and East Africa as a whole. What has hampered integration is decision makers in the region looking at what works the short term, not in the long term. There is still time to put things right if we only act now and act objectively.

Contact: gmuramila@gmail.com