EDITORIAL: Smooth cross-border trade enhances cooperation

A group of Rwandan members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) are in the country on an outreach and sensitization mission. They have visited several borders to assess problems that hinder cross-border trade and travel and acquaint the border communities with East African Community (EAC) issues. While all border posts have their own unique problems, the Nemba One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) with Burundi’s concerns are mainly security issues since trade has come to a near standstill. But the vibrant and busy borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda are more concerned with trade and how the OSBP can be more beneficial. Most have been advocating for cross-border markets and the government and some of its partners such as Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) have taken heed. Streamlining trading issues will only enhance better cooperation and understanding among border communities. It will also improve the welfare of women as they dominate cross-border trade. So it comes as welcome news that TMEA has a particular soft spot for women and has designed special programmes to empower them. But empowering one side of the border alone will not bring many benefits. TMEA should duplicate what it is doing for Rwandan women across the other side of the borders of EAC member states. Just as Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are marketing the country as a single tourist destination at this year’s London Expo, there is more strength in unity. A people who move in tandem are likely to travel further than lone rangers, and East Africa should lead by example

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EDITORIAL: Smooth cross-border trade enhances cooperation