MaxShimba
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- Apr 11, 2008
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President Yoweri Museveni
Tension amassing between Tanzania and Rwanda has led the government to request Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and find an amicable solution to the ongoing diplomatic wrangle between the neighbours.
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said this in Parliament yesterday when responding to a question raised by the Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, Freeman Mbowe who wanted to know what measures the government has taken to resolve the diplomatic standoff.
The Premier said if the initiative will not bear fruit the government will take other measures.
In his basic question, Mbowe expressed concern that left unattended, the bickering may escalate and according to him, it would then isolate Tanzania from the rest of the East African Community (EAC) especially since states in the region are increasingly forming new economic ties.
Pinda acknowledged that despite President Jakaya Kikwetes recent assertion that the two countries are not in any dispute, Rwanda has continued to be indifferent over the issue.
Recalling Tanzanias part in the liberation of various Africa countries, its role in peace keeping missions across the continent and its continued provision of shelter for refugees, the Premier cautioned over the country moving from this humanitarian and peace keeping role to one of antagonising its neighbours.
However, when Mbowe suggested the formation of a special and independent organ to solve the matter, Pinda clarified that since the matter is the direct result of advice from President Kikwete to Rwandas Paul Kagame suggesting that the Rwandan government should have a roundtable peace discussion with rebel groups, it follows then that a peer, such as Ugandas Yoweri Museveni should mediate between the two presidents.
Tanzania is seeking to end the flood of refugees fleeing fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Kivu region and has joined a new United Nations brigade fighting alongside the Congolese army against the many rebel and militia forces.
At the African Union summit meeting held Ethiopia (May 2013), Kikwete advised Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo to open negotiations with rebel forces.
But since Rwanda is opposed to negotiations with the rebels said to be made up of Hutu extremists it accuses for the Rwandan genocide the advice was not well received.
President Kikwete has since made it clear that the advice was given in good faith and that the country does not seek to antagonise its neighbours but to maintain regional peace and stability.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN