Sunday News; Sunday, April 08, 2007 @00:04
THE European Union (EU) has confirmed the removal of the remaining limitation access to its markets for all African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Regions as part of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiation.
Tanzania will benefit from the offer which covers all products including agricultural goods like beef, cereals and all fruits and vegetables. "It (the offer) will apply immediately following the signing of an agreement with a phase in period for rice and sugar," said a statement released by the EU yesterday.
Under the offer, ACP countries will have the same market access conditions, encouraging ACP neighbours to collaborate and help to build regional market and supply.
Commenting on the announcement, the European Commission Head of Delegation in Tanzania, Ambassador Frans Baan said that the challenge is to address the technical aspect of the negotiations.
"In Tanzania, the fundamental test of the success of EPA negotiations will be that they deliver results to the majority of citizens who work in this country's principal sectors, especially agriculture and fisheries," said Mr Baan.
EPA are trade and development agreements that the EU is currently negotiating with six African, Caribbean and Pacific regions including the West Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa and the Caribbean.
Tanzania is currently negotiating with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) whereas other East African Community (EAC) members, Kenya, Uganda Burundi and Rwanda are negotiating with Common Market for Eastern and Central Africa (COMESA).
EPAs will replace the trade chapters of the 2000 Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the ACP countries.
Mtukwao: Je, tatizo hapa ni nini hasa? Ni kwamba watanzania hawana uwezo wa kujifunza Kiingereza au watanzania hawakitaki Kiingereza? Hivi kwa nini nasi tusifundishe(shwe) tukajua Kiingereza vizuri? Kuna ubaya gani kujua Kiingereza na Kiswahili vizuri au hata na lugha zingine?
Kuachana na Kiingereza kutatua tatizo au kulikimbia tatizo?
Frank
I agree there is no rational reason why Rwanda cannot join the EAF right away other than public relations. Ultimately for the EAF to pass will require a major PR effort to appease Tanzanians and convince them. In reality Rwanda is doing just fine. When Tanzanians check they will be shocked to find that Rwanda has a per capita GDP that is at least twice as high as Tanzania
At the end of the day, the EAF is about choosing to stay the same for the sake of having peace of mind or to take a step towards raising the standard of living of East Africans dramatically. Most African countries today are growing at a fairly decent rate. But when that growth is due to an increase in the exports of raw materials, the benefits do not reach the people. So even if Tanzania continues to grow at this rate for the next 10 years, it will hardly reduce the rate of poverty and unemployment. What is needed is a major injection of foreign direct Investment (FDI). By pooling together the resources of the East African countries is the quickest and best way of increasing FDI. Having an economy that focuses on exporting unprocessed raw materials is a 1st class ticket to poverty. You are basically giving away your resources (rushwa) at throwaway prices and buying back the processed goods at a higher price and thus providing employment to foreigners such as the Chinese and the Europeans.
Fine, but if I were a Tanzanian, I will likely be asking myself where those FDI will likely go? What difference does it make for me? Jobs? Well can a Tanzanian get a job in Kenya, however qualified? I know several that have somehow found a job in Kenya (mostly through some international org) that have been killed already! We could agree on sharing of placement of those FDI! But that failed in the past EAC, as Kenyans did not like it.By pooling together the resources of the East African countries is the quickest and best way of increasing FDI.
Rais Yoweri Museveni wa Uganda ametoa tamshi lake la kwanza kuhusu ghasia za mjini Kampala jana.
Watu watatu waliuawa na wanane kujeruhiwa.
Ghasia hizo zilizuka wakati wa maandamano ambayo yakipinga msitu wa Mabira kugaiwa kampuni ya sukari nchini Uganda.
Katika matamshi yake, Rais Museveni amesema: kushambulia, kutukana, au kuharibu mali ya Mganda yeyote au wageni wa Uganda, ni kitu ambacho serikali haitokivumulia.
http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Magazine/Magazine160407.htmBy BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI
LIKE MANY BOYS HIS AGE, HE ENJOYS football and going to the beach, and counts chicken, chips and macaroni among his favourite foods. He grew up watching cartoons like Lion King, Batman and Spiderman. But Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the titular king of the Toro, who turns 15 on April 16, is not taking his responsibilities to his close to one million subjects lightly.
The king, who goes to Kabira International School in Kampala, has dismissed critics who say he is too young to rule and called on his subjects to take action to improve the standards of living in the kingdom. He has appealed to the Batooro to have their children immunised against measles to guarantee them a healthy future.
He has also advised parents to stop abusing children because they are the foundation of the nation. I saw a picture in the newspapers of a boy who had been burnt by his mother for stealing Ush200 (0.1 US cents). It was terrible. Parents should not mistreat their children, he said in 2003.
In July that year, he launched the King Oyo Fund to raise money for the kingdoms strategic development plan for 2003-2010. So far, it has raised Ush30 million ($17,142) in cash and pledges. The plan will focus on promoting culture, as well as improving education, health and hygiene and preserving the environment.
And the Batooro, who revere their king they prostrate themselves before him during cultural functions have pledged to support his development efforts and fight HIV/Aids, among others projects. For instance, the Batooro in London, under the auspices of the Tooro Community Welfare and Development Association, have launched the King Oyo International Hospital Fund in the UK for the construction of a childrens hospital, with an donation of £2,000. The proposed King Oyo International Hospital, to be built in Kyenjojo District, requires some $8-10 million. The facility will serve as a referral hospital and also specialise in childrens diseases, mother-child care and HIV/Aids research.
King Oyo has certainly come a long way since he was captured on camera at a state function eight years ago playing with a toy instead of paying attention to official matters as he sat between President Yoweri Museveni and former South African President Nelson Mandela. KING OYO CAME TO THE LIMELIGHT ON September 12, 1995 when, as a kindergarten going three-and-a half-year-old, he succeeded his father, King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo, who died four days to his second anniversary as king of Tooro. He thus became the worlds youngest monarch as well as the 12th Toro monarch to head the 182-year-old kingdom, which covers some 78,000 square kilometres, and is home not only to the Tooro, but also to the Bamba, Banyabindi, Bakiga, Bafumbira and Bambuntu ethnic minorities.
But being a king does sometimes weigh heavily on Oyos young shoulders. In a recent interview with the German Press Agency, he gave the downside of being king. I dont like being a king because of the functions I have to attend. They are long and tiring. I miss out on the company of other children, especially after school, he said, much to the dismay of his mother, Queen Best Kemigisa Akiiki. I enjoy school although I dont have a best friend, because all the students I talk to are my friends. I dont feel like a king, I feel just like any ordinary student, he added.
And he enjoys adventure like other ordinary students. In October 2005, for instance, he went mountain climbing together with 16 schoolmates and reached the peak of the 4,300-metre high Mt Elgon. Queen Kemigisa is confident that he will be up to the task when he takes up his duties as king in 2010, when he turns 18. However, the king is still receiving instructions on his royal duties as he works at mastering Rutooro, the language of his subjects.
IN THE MEANTIME, OYOS ROYAL duties are carried out by three regents Prof Oswald Ndolereire, Isaaya Kalya and Zaveriyo Byabagambe. And among his guardians are President Yoweri Museveni, Libyas Col Muammar Gaddafi and Kabaka Ronald Mutebi of Buganda. Oyo appointed Col Gadaffi as a member of the Abajwarakondo (Defenders of the crown) during a 13-day visit to Libya in 2001. The Abajwarakondo are a group of men who are highly regarded by the Batooro, and whose members include President Museveni.
King Oyo has rubbed shoulders with other leaders, including fellow monarch King Mswati III of Swaziland. He has also made trips abroad to seek assistance for his kingdom.
For instance, in 2001, shortly after his 10th birthday, Oyo went on a two-week tour of the US to raise funds for the kingdoms development programmes and met his subjects living in Denver, Colorado. He was accompanied by his mother and his aunt, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya.
The young king showed remarkable confidence during the trip, in contrast to his behaviour at his 10th birthday party at the Muyenga Palace in Kampala, where he had come across as extremly shy. When it was time to dance, the King Oyo could not face nine-year-old Sharon Kirabo, who had been chosen to be his partner by the committee that organised the party.
After a quick glance at Kirabo, the king kept his gaze fixed to the ground, and his mother stepped in to do the foxtrot with him as a confident Kirabo danced nearby.
Oyo seems to have a particular passion for issues that affect children. Speaking at the closure of the two-week Safe Kids campaign organised by the Injury Control Centre Uganda and Safe Kids Uganda in Kampala on July 22, 2006, he appealed to the Government and non-governmental organisations to ensure that childrens safety is given serious consideration.
He said the government and NGOs involved in child survival and development should include prevention of injury in their programmes. He commended the government for reducing early childhood deaths through improved and widespread immunisation and nutrition.
And celebrating Martyrs Day at Namugongo on June 3, 2006, the king, together with Prime Minister Prof Apollo Nsibambi and Archbishop Luke Orombi, asked Ugandans to devote themselves to fighting corruption and to derive inspiration from the martyrs. He said Uganda needed upright leaders who would not engage in corruption. THIS MAY BE A NOBLE IDEA but the king is probably too young to understand the nature of politics, including in his kingdom.
Early last year, for example, the three regents accused the Queen Mother and the head of the royal family, Charles Kamurasi, of personalising matters relating to the kingdoms activities and hijacking their roles. The clash between the regents and royal family came out into the open during the debate over who would replace Steven Nyabongo Rwakijuma, the former prime minister (omuhikirwa) of Tooro.
WHEN THE REGENTS said they had appointed David Rusa to the post, Kemigisa and other members of the royal family protested. The regents defended their action, arguing that as long as the king was a minor, they were empowered by the kingdoms constitution to make decisions on his behalf.
The matter wound up in court, and after a protracted battle, Steven Irumba, who had the blessings of Kemigisa and the royal family, was sworn in as the 13th Premier Minister of Tooro on December 2, 2006, in Fort Portal.
The kingdom is a cultural institution and issues are not handled like in politics. There is a parliament whose role is to elect and dismiss servants, Kemigisa argued. The whole thing was wrong and I think their intention was to destroy the king and the kingdom, and that is what we resisted.
On March 25, 2005, it was resolved during an orukurato (parliamentary session) at the Mucwa Council Chambers in Fort Portal that the kingdom remain under the government because that would foster unity and development in the kingdom, unlike in the neighbouring Buganda kingdom, which has demanded a federal status.
The kingdom of Toro boasts some of Ugandas richest soils and produces a variety of cash crops including tea, coffee and cotton. It is also endowed with resources like copper, cobalt, petroleum, cement, salt, and sulfur.
It also has notable physical features like the Rwenzori mountain range and the great Western Rift Valley, as well as Lakes Albert (Mwitanzige), George and Edward. The region also has several rivers and hot springs, in addition to the Rwenzori and Semliki national parks.
But while his kingdom is well endowed in terms of resources, Oyo still has a difficult task ahead, especially without the necessary political and economic muscle.
King Oyo during the celebrations to mark his 11th year in power on March 4, 2006.
http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Magazine/Magazine160407.htm
Je Tanzania ipo tayari kurudisha machifu?
The European Union should ditch plans for a constitution, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Instead, reforms to make the expanded Europe of 27 nations more effective should be included in a conventional treaty, of the kind that has been seen many times in the Union's 50-year history.
Speaking at 10 Downing Street, following talks with Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Mr Blair gave his backing to a Dutch proposal for an "amending treaty".
Mr Balkenende said the change might free some EU governments from the commitment they have made to hold referendums on the constitutional treaty, which was given a resounding thumbs-down by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
But Mr Blair insisted that it was not simply a question of removing the word "constitution" from the document's title. An amending treaty should contain only those elements needed to make the EU work better and not measures which led to fears of a Brussels-run superstate. "It is important we go back to the idea of a conventional treaty where the idea is to make Europe more effective, work more effectively, because we now have a Europe of 27 countries rather than 15," said Mr Blair.
EU leaders gathering in Germany in June should "go back to that idea of a conventional amending treaty rather than a treaty with the characteristics of a constitution", said Mr Blair. Some 18 countries have already ratified the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe agreed by EU political leaders in 2004. But Mr Blair suggested several of the other EU states will face difficulties securing their voters' approval for the constitution if it is revived by Germany, the current holders of the European Presidency.
It was time to end the uncertainty over the constitution which was diverting the EU's attention away from the key issues preoccupying ordinary people, such as the economy, climate change and organised crime.
"I think the important thing is that if we want to get this resolved, then we have to understand that even though there are 18 of the countries that have ratified the constitutional treaty, there are other countries that really will have a difficulty with a constitutional treaty rather than a treaty, say, in the tradition of the treaty that we negotiated in Amsterdam some 10 years ago," said Mr Blair. Mr Blair declined to discuss precisely what elements of the constitution he would like to see retained in a new treaty, saying that this should be a matter for discussion and negotiations with fellow EU states. But Mr Balkenende suggested that an amending treaty could include measures to make clear the division of powers between Brussels and member-states, as well as strengthening the role of national parliaments and setting out the rules for further enlargement of the EU.
By Joyce Kisaka
Dodoma
About 80 per cent of Tanzanians who have responded to the Wangwe Commission, which is collecting views on the fast-tracking of the East African Political Federation, have said they are not for the idea.
Although the views' collecting mission is not complete, with just 55 per cent of the Mainland and 20 per cent of the Isles covered so far, sources within the Ministry of East Africa told The Citizen last week that the mid term review, conducted early this month, has revealed that 10 regions in the Mainland have totally rejected the political federation plan. Sources said it was not a secret within the Wangwe Commission that Tanzania is not interested in the political federation.
In fact, sources say, what the officials are doing is simply to go through the formalities because the exercise on views' collection must be completed and people's views registered. "Reports that Zanzibaris are not ready are not mere rumours either, this is true for Zanzibar wants to remain as it is," one source said.
The exercise is expected to come to an end by next month when the report on what Tanzanians have decided will be handed over to President Jakaya Kikwete . The report is expected to form the basis for determining the fate of the federation. The three commissions collecting locals' views in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda met in Arusha on April 2 to compare notes after the midterm review and each of them got the chance to explain their position before they jointly finalised a strategy on how to complete the exercise.
Following this meeting, Prof Samuel Wangwe, who heads the Tanzanian commission, told journalists last week in a press conference that the review was not meant to compare statistics as to how many people want the Federation, instead it aimed to review how far the exercise had gone and what have been the challenges and improvements that are needed.
He further told the media that in Tanzania, his commission met many challenges especially with regards to people's scanty understanding of the federation. This scenario forced them to embark on educating people on the matter before they asked them to give opinions.
By George Parker (FT)
Published: January 5 2007 14:36 | Last updated: January 5 2007 14:36
Q. Why are people talking about the EU constitution again? Isnt it dead?
A. It is true that the original constitutional treaty - rejected by French and Dutch voters in the spring of 2005 - is dead. But there will be a renewed effort, led by the EUs German presidency, to salvage key parts of the package during 2007.
Q. Cant they take No for an answer?
A. No. There is a widely held view in European capitals that an expanding EU cannot work properly unless parts of the constitution are put into force. The argument runs that without new rules the EU cannot take in any new members - leaving countries like Serbia and Turkey out in the cold.
Q. What new rules?
A. The most substantial section of the original constitution aimed to update the EUs creaking institutions and decision-making rules. They include creating a single new EU foreign minister (replacing the two people currently sharing the job), a European diplomatic service, an EU president to give the Union strategic leadership and a slimmed down European Commission, the EUs executive. New simplified voting rules would give greater weight to the biggest countries - especially Germany - and there would be some removal of national vetoes, particularly in the field of justice and home affairs. It is these changes which are most likely to survive the constitutional salvage operation.
Q. How would any revamped constitution be different from the old one?
A. This is highly contentious. The 18 countries which ratified the Mark I constitution, including Germany, want to keep most or all of the original text, which included a reworking of the old treaties, a charter of fundamental rights, some detailed policy changes, a grandiose preamble and sections giving the EU trappings of statehood like a flag, anthem and national day. Others like Britain, France and the Netherlands want the treaty pared down to its bare essentials - mainly the institutional reforms.They hope that any new text would be so minimal that they could avoid putting the treaty to a referendum (which they could well lose) and to ratify instead through national parliaments. Most agree that the name constitution should also be ditched: the original text was actually an international treaty and the name frightened people who feared a European superstate and gave false hopes to federalists who wanted the treaty to go much further.
Q. Will this all end up in another big euro-row?
A. Almost certainly. This is the worst fear of people like José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, who argues that citizens want to see the EU delivering concrete results, not squabbling over treaties and institutions. But the German presidency - backed by a majority of member states - believes the treaty needs to be revived in some form to modernise the EU and to show that the process of European integration has not ground to a halt. Britain, France and the Netherlands are among those who fear another bruising clash with public opinion.
Q. When will matters come to a head?
A. Probably in June 2007, at the end of the six-month German presidency. Angela Merkel, German chancellor, wants to map out how the salvage operation will work and give a clear signal of which parts of the treaty are sacrosanct and which bits might be set aside. This will present a big euro-headache for the newly elected French president and possibly a new British prime minister, if Gordon Brown has succeeded (or is about to succeed) Tony Blair.
Q. When, if ever, will this Mark II constitution come into force?
A. Germany hopes to get agreement on a new text by the end of 2007, allowing member states little over a year to get the treaty ratified before the European parliament elections of 2009. Many diplomats believe that timetable is optimistic. Some wonder whether a Union of 27 member states can ever agree on a new European treaty.
SOSTHENES MWITA, Dodoma
Sunday News; Sunday,April 22, 2007 @00:02
OVER 90 per cent of the Members of Parliament have opposed vehemently the 'irrational hurry' in fast tracking the East African Federation.
Giving an opinion during a one-day seminar on the EA Fast Tracking that was held here yesterday, one MP wanted the team that goes around collecting the views of the people to be disbanded with immediate effect. Mr Suleiman Nh'unga (Dole -CCM) spoke emotionally asserting that Tanzanian land cannot be given away to residents of other countries. "Our land is not for sale, neither is it for hire. Time for political federation has not yet come", he said.
Dr Harisson Mwakyembe (Kyela - CCM) questioned the rationale behind the hurry, arguing that the initial plan was to move forward gradually, starting with the Customs Union, then the Common Market, the common currency and ultimately, the federation as envisaged in the EAC Treaty.
He said some countries were simply ungovernable and difficult to cooperate with, giving an example of Gulu district in northern Uganda, which is now isolated due to war. He also mentioned Rwanda and Burundi, which have not seen real peace since the late 1950s.
He contended that Tanzanian leaders should leave it to the people to decide whether to join the federation or keep out. "The people of Kyela do not even want to hear about the planned federation. We better work on the first three stages as agreed in the Treaty," he advised. Ms Magdalena Sakaya (Special Seats - CUF) demanded to know who was pressurizing Tanzania to join the federation.
She said while Kenya had a booming economy characterized by a thriving industry, Tanzania had a weak economy.
But, she added, Kenyans were seriously short of land. "Kenyans want to grab our land. They also want to enslave our people in their factories, hotels and other industrial ventures," she charged emotionally, advising that Tanzania should wait until the opportune moment to join the federation arrives.
Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya (Kwela - CCM) told the House that most residents in Rudewa district, including him, were opposed to the envisaged federation. He said there was no harm in strengthening the Customs Union and pursuing the Common Market and Single Currency.
Shirikisho labwagwa
2007-04-22 11:12:13
Na Beatrice Bandawe, Dodoma
Katika hali inayoashiria kubwagwa kwa Shirikisho la Afrika Mashariki, Wabunge wengi wamesisitiza hakuna sababu ya kukimbilia kujiunga na chombo hicho, kwa kuwa nchi hizo zinatofautiana kisera, kiuchumi na kisiasa.
Aidha, wabunge wengine wamekataa kabisa kuanzishwa kwa shirikisho hilo na baadhi yao wameunga mkono.
Kati ya wabunge 21 waliochangia mjadala wa maoni katika Tume ya Kupokea Maoni ya Uharakishwaji wa kuanzishwa Shirikisho la Afrika Mashariki, uliofanyika jana katika ukumbi wa Pius Msekwa mjini hapa ni wabunge wawili tu, waliounga mkono kuanzishwa kwa shirikisho hilo.
Wakitoa maoni yao, wabunge waliokataa kuharakishwa kuanzishwa kwa Shirikisho hilo, walisema, shirikisho litakuja lenyewe Tanzania itakapojijenga kiuchumi.
Aidha, baadhi ya wabunge hao walisema, Tanzania inahitaji miaka 80 baadaye kuingia katika Shirikisho hilo.
Akichangia maoni yake, Bw. Mohamed Mnyaa (Mkanyageni-CUF), alisema kiwango cha kiuchumi katika nchi hizo hakilingani na kwamba suala la shirikisho lifanyike baada ya miaka 80.
Akitoa maoni yake, Mbunge wa Mbozi Mashariki
( CCM), Bw. Godfrey Zambi, alisema nchi hizo bado zinatofauti za kikatiba.
Alitoa mfano wa nchi ya Uganda ambayo haina kipindi cha Rais kuwepo madarakani.
Bw. Zambi, alipendekeza kujengwa kwanza kiuchumi kwa nchi zilizo nyuma ili kuwe na uwiano na kumaliza tofauti za kisiasa ndani ya nchi zenyewe.
Mbunge wa Kwela ( CCM), Dk. Chrisant Mzindakaya, alisema hakuna haraka ya kuingia kwenye Shirikisho hilo kwa kuwa nchi za Ulaya zilizoingia kwenye shirikisho zinahangaika mpaka sasa kiuchumi.
Alipendekeza nchi hizo zijenge forodha, soko la pamoja na sarafu ya pamoja na kwamba suala ya kisiasa lingoje kwanza kwa kuwa sera za nchi hizo zinatofuatiana.
Mbunge wa Bumbuli (CCM), Bw. William Shellukindo, alisema hakuna dharura ya kukimbilia kujiunga kwenye Shirikisho kabla ya kuangalia kwanza mali na madaraka ndani ya nchi hizo.
``Lazima tujihakikishie kuwa soko la pamoja, sarafu ya pamoja na forodha yanashughulikiwa kwanza,``alisema.
Alipendekeza kuwa Shirikisho hilo lisubiri mpaka mwaka 2015.
Akichangia maoni yake, Msemaji wa Kambi ya Upinzani bungeni, Mbunge wa Wawi (CUF), Bw. Hamad Rashid Mohamed, alisema kuharakisha kuwepo kwa Shirikisho la Afrika Mashariki kunaonyesha kuwa maamuzi yameshafanyika uongozi wa juu.
Alisema kutojadili kuwepo na kutokuwepo kwa shirikisho ni hatari na kwamba wabunge kujadili mjadala huo ni geresha tu.
``Tuna wasiwasi maamuzi yameshafanyika Watanzania wanataka kutumbukizwa...Misingi ya kisiasa ya kuwa na shirikisho bado,`` alisema.
Mbunge wa Iramba Mashariki (CCM), Bw. Mgana Msidai, alisema Tanzania ikikimbilia kujiunga katika Shirikisho hilo watakaoumia ni wananchi kwa kuwa nchi za Kenya na Uganda ni wajanja, watafaidika na rasilmali za Tanzania.
Aidha, alisema nchi hizo ndani kwa ndani zina vurugu, kama Tanzania itaingia kwenye shirikisho itavuruga uchumi wake.
Kwa upande wake Mbunge wa Magu, Dk Festus Limbu, alihoji uharaka wa Tanzania kukimbilia kujiunga kwenye Shirikisho hilo wakati mambo madogo ya nchi inashindwa kushughulikia na kukimbilia mambo makubwa.
Mbunge wa Longido Bw. Michael Lekule Laizer(CCM) alisema, Shirikisho hilo lina maana gani wakati Tanzania limegeuka kuwa soko la bidhaa za Kenya, huku zile za Tanzania haziko kwenye soko la Kenya.
Bi. Joyce Masunga (Viti Maalumu- CCM), alisema kuna maana gani ya kuungana na watu ambao wao wenyewe hawapo pamoja.
``Muungano wetu sisi na Zanzibar unatutosha...Muafaka wetu bado tunashughulikia, bado tunataka tena muafaka wa Kenya na Uganda,`` alihoji.
Alimtaka Mwenyekiti wa Tume hiyo, Profesa Samuel Wangwe, kutuliza `boli` kwanza kabla ya kukimbilia shirikisho.
Dk. Harrison Mwakyembe (Kyela-CCM), alisema nchi lazima ziwe na umoja ndani yake ndio ziwe shirikisho.
Aidha, alisema kuwakaribisha Rwanda na Burundi ni kuleta vurugu. ``Nchi yetu ni ya amani tusiingize kwenye vurugu,`` alisema.
Bi. Rose Kirigini (Viti Maalumu-CCM), alisema wananchi wanapaswa kuelimishwa kwanza maana ya Shirikisho kabla ya kutakiwa kutoa maoni.
Wabunge waliounga mkono kuundwa kwa Shirikisho ni Bw. Chacha Wangwe (Tarime-CHADEMA) na Bw. Phares Kabuye (Biharamulo Magharibi-TLP).
Bw. Wangwe alisema anaunga mkono shirikisho kwa sababu wananchi wa mpakani wanalinganisha kati ya Kenya na Tanzania.
Kwa upande wake, Bw. Kabuye alisema Waafrika walitawanyishwa kwa mipaka, hivyo Shirikisho hilo litawaunganisha.
``Nini maana ya binadamu wote ni sawa na Afrika ni moja,`` alihoji.
SOURCE: Nipashe