Lole Gwakisa
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 5, 2008
- 4,776
- 2,389
Anne , yours is a very fresh breath of guinine political wind from Uganda .I love frank people and ideas.
You have nailed the feeling at least from Tz
Hi,
I introduced myself already as a Ugandan opposition activist in the Introduction Forum. I could not resist jumping in here. Forgive me if my arguments are very simplistic, am not a subject matter expert, just a hyper political observer/commentator focusing on Uganda. One thing apparent from this thread is the lack of trust of the motives for the Federation and perhaps that may be because we really do not know the motives. What is the overriding motive that has caused a sense of urgency for an East African political union? That motive is certainly top-down since I have not heard any clamour at the grassroots (at least not in Uganda) for a political federation for East Africa. So who is rushing the political federation and why?
An East African native wants to attend market day on either side of the border without a hassle. Do we need a political union for that? Maybe. It would take away the need for a visa and may be there would be less obstacles in building roads and bridges, movement would be easier, markets would be more accessible. So why don't we go ahead and do it - fast?
Look at the main proponents for the rushed political Union and be VERY afraid. We may have a common colonial culture, even common cultures that pre date colonialism, we certainly have a common interest in reaping from economies of scale but we also have very distinct post colonial POLITICAL cultures. I can understand the rush for a stronger economic union but I would be extremely cautious about rushing a political union that brings together a budding Tanzanian democracy, shaky Kenyan democracy and outright Ugandan dictatorship.
But then again, am a Ugandan opposition activist so I may be biased... If I cannot trust Museveni's administration to lead Uganda into the future I certainly would not endorse it to lead discussion of an East African political union any day. Take time to reflect on whether you can deal with opening up to our corruption, nepotism, militarism, without tough preconditions.
I would certainly stand with those who err of the side of caution.
Anne Mugisha
Anne,
lemmie take this opportunity to officially welcome you to
JF -International Forum, where your ideas are most welcome.
Feel at home as you engage in a discourse with folks about the
merits and the demerits of the EAC/EAF.
Regards.
Why don't Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya go ahead and form a political union if they feel Tanzania is dragging its feet? If they do so, they can have a head start in enjoying the benefits of the EAC and soon enough Tanzania will see sense and join in thus accomplishing the ultimate goal.
If the other four members cannot go ahead with the EAC just because Tanzania is stalling, this will re-enforce the fear that the EAC is all about rushing to gobble up Tanzania's resources.
So, go on lads. Go ahead without us for the moment.
Personally I don't favor the so called EAC animal. It's better for Tanzania to step aside and let the rest 4 counrties (, Uganda, Rwanda & Burundi)Kenya rush in the so called EAC.
I also don't agree with the notion that We Tanzanians are poor compared to other countries in EAC. Tanzania as a country might be poor...but Tanzanians are not poor which is the opposite with Kenya..where the economy is in hands of minority....with the majority of the Kenyans dwelling in slums and feeding themselves from the municipal dumpsites (what a shame).
Let those who are in a hurry carry on with the EAC.....Tanzania can join in our convenient time....we don't have to be pushed around....
Nibo, you guys are poor, what part of poverty dont you understand. Just because we in Kenya have unequal distribution of wealth, doesnt make you any better.
Stop burying your head in the sand and face the facts.. Look at the donor funding in your budget, its embarrassing, a whooping 70%, maybe more, and then you are insinuating that you are in a way better than us, shameful.
Sometimes you act like there are no slums in Tanzania, bro, zipo and they are not in a better state than our Kibera.. we currently have housing upgrading programmes which is trying to eradicate the slums, while you are pointing fingers at Kibera, you tend to forget about your slums, which nobody is trying to address the issue of upgrading them to descent housing.
STOP LIVING A LIE
Ab-Titchaz and Lole thanks for the warm welcome and I hope that we can engage in constructive discussions for a strong East African Community one that is welcomed and understood by the people and not imposed by the leaders.
Asante sana.
Have you people noticed? When we say they should first form a federation themselves they don't answer. When we say why they want to rush Tanzania into the federation they don't answer. When they insult as and say we are poor & uneducated and we ask them then why are you forcing as to join they don't answer. They have no answer to the questions besides just complaining why Tanzania doesn't join which means they themselves have no answer to the questions. If they have no answer to these basic questions it means they don't question the decissions & motives of their leaders bali wanafuata tu wanacho ambiwa na mwisho huleta ushabiki wa kinchi.
In as much as I dont agree with fast tracking the EAC Political Federation, infact I dont agree with the formation of the EAC Political Federation and will not agree with it as long as the current caliber of leaders in power are involved in any way form or manner or even kizazi chao(sibagui naconsider conflict of interest), I have to say maybe the question should be inverted.
Why, if Tanzania sees no gain in partnering under the current conditions, does it not withdraw its membership in full or in part-become an observing member with intent or something of that sort.
That would allow those who feel miba imewazidi wakimbilie Makubanzi. While others chose to walk carefully.
Si hata katiba za Co-op zina allow mtu ku attend meetings kwanza to observe and gauge the organisation before jumping on the band wagon.
I do understand there is a difference and that is why I said EAC Political FederationThere is a difference between EAC and EAF
Did not quite understand this one, if you may, please elaborate.if the majority of the AU countries decided to join does it mean the other members should leave the AU
If I am not mistaken and nielimishe if I am wrong on this but katiba ya EAC hivi sasa requires that, for anything to passed the member states nust be unanimous in their decision.some members here hv suggested by saying let the other states form a federation first if you have read all posts.
Miopic thinking and empty rhetoric. You can Reject the idea of a federation, but you cant bluntly dismiss a people, it shows what you have between your ears, probably a vaccum.
Like I have always said in my posts about this federation, its not about you, its about the big boys with the big money. you will just scream your self hoarse, but as history has proven, even an army cant stop an idea whose time has come.
You can procrastinate and delay the whole process, but the time will come when some of your leaders(through convincing, threatening or bribing), will take line, hook, bait and sinker, and make you join your worst nightmare, and you will simply do nothing about it. This is the real world, people will do anything to achieve what they want.Guess you will have to go get your degree or masters, because a high school certificate wont be worth much in the job market in the near future.
Miopic thinking and empty rhetoric. You can Reject the idea of a federation, but you cant bluntly dismiss a people, it shows what you have between your ears, probably a vaccum.
Like I have always said in my posts about this federation, its not about you, its about the big boys with the big money. you will just scream your self hoarse, but as history has proven, even an army cant stop an idea whose time has come.
You can procrastinate and delay the whole process, but the time will come when some of your leaders(through convincing, threatening or bribing), will take line, hook, bait and sinker, and make you join your worst nightmare, and you will simply do nothing about it. This is the real world, people will do anything to achieve what they want.Guess you will have to go get your degree or masters, because a high school certificate wont be worth much in the job market in the near future.
Tanzanians, Do you really know what you are refusing, is there a specific reason for you to refuse this federation with soo much zeal? Is your reasons for refusing based from prior experiences in the federation? and if so, do you know that there has been lots of discussions and amendments to prevent what led to the collapse of the previous EAC. Are there leaders in your country who are feeding the citizenry with propaganda on the EAC issue, for it looks like there are people who tell you only the negative side and totally ignoring the positive effects of the federation.
Do you think the federation will be a threat to your land, jobs, freedom or peace? Can your phobia be because of the fear of the unknown, not knowing what will happen when enterpreneurs from other EA countries set camp in your conservative nation?
Can someone please answer this or tell me the main reason why you oppose the federation, because I cant believe that the EAC is specifically designed to reap Tanzanians off. someone please clear the air on this issue, tafadhali.
Stop burying your head in the sand and face the facts.. Look at the donor funding in your budget, its embarrassing, a whooping 70%, maybe more, and then you are insinuating that you are in a way better than us, shameful.
Sometimes you act like there are no slums in Tanzania, bro, zipo and they are not in a better state than our Kibera.
Stereotyping is an ugly disease, its unkind of you to portray my countrymen as having a certain character.. Take an example; if I say that Tanzanians are illetrate, thats unkind because, though most of you have never seen the inside of a class, some of your are worth their salt education wise, so I cant come and lay claim that Tanzanians are uneducated, because a handful of you are.Smatta your argument shows you also have nothing within your ears despite an ability to use english language correctly in expressing your nonsense. This is not uncommon to kenyans. They hide behind the english language. If what you have explained above was true federations of one sort or the other would have been common place throughout this globe. Your implying that the people with money 'exploiters' (are these kenyans???' can have their way despite the rhetoric resistance of the poor (Tanzanians??). But you have forgotten that the real exploiters (people with real money) do not need any kind of integration to exploit the poor countries like Tanzania and kenya. Kenya has been fucked (exploitated) inside out by imperialists since the colonial era leaving millions of people dirty poor and landless. Those people with big money did not need the EAC (which collapsed in 1977) to *** kenya bare. And they are there to stay. What have kenyans benefitd from the so called foreign investments save for the ruling elite who accomplices.