Zawadi Ngoda
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 13, 2009
- 3,804
- 1,871
When I passed through the ECOWAS's manuskript since it was founded, and look a close tie how it benefit a normal West African citizen today, I just laugh! And it becomes more a comedy if we should take it as an example in forging our EAF. I am really one among those that believe in Umoja ni nguvu, but we must be very clear which unity are we talking about? And for whom?.
The member countries have Always blamed Tanzanians for being passive in joining The union. Now it has done its part, but i am still not sure whether Tanzanian's leaders convinced beyond reasonable doubts that they are doing the right thing, or they were pressed at the corner to take the move. All in all we are now the part of the Federatin so it sounds useless discussing about why we joined.
Despite the decision at the top political level was made for 10 years ago, but Tanzania's government has not prepared their people to meet the challenge of the Federation. Poor information made Tanzanian's to believe that Federation is impossible by 2010, and many including myself thought it may take place after 20 year, 2020.
Knowing that the formation of EAF is inevitable because of our common history, culture and tradition, that is why I have been writing the positive of the move in the past . Is my pleasure to repeat again and again that the concept of the union is a win -win solution for alleviating poverty in our region. But this is possible only and only when the society (in schools, villages, towns) is very well informed. The free movement of our people will provide the possibilities of increasing their incomes, and on top of that there will be more culture exchanges. By so doing we will increase our productivities because the demand will shoot up.
This move will expand the internal regional market, and decrease the dependant of market outside the continent (EU, USA) which has been very competitive for the resent years. After all why should I import something from EU, USA or somewhere else when I can get it from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi or Rwanda. These are basic reasons that pushes me toward accepting the EAF as a long terms solution for our problems.
In the other hand it is sad to acknowledge that, Until today more than 90% of Tanzanian's including the so called the educated people don't know what will happen with their land. What type of land reforms Tanzania government has made to meet the challenge. What about business? I am not even talking about employment as well as owning houses (mortgages).
How can a Tanzanian join a business in Kenya when he doesn't understand his rights? Today Kenya's government is preaching something else about the job market and Tanzania's is stating completely another thing. Now I question myself if there is any hidden agenda. As long as the leaders of the countries have not come to something common in all the areas including small details, then it is too early to embrace the EAF. This is not like a presidential campaign where the candidate can say anything he likes ( even lying) in order to win the election.
All of these negatives indicates that we were not ready for EAF. Infarct soon or later EAF could come, but not in this way it has happened. It is a question of time line rather than total rejection. I would like to remind my fellow EAF members that- Any Economical solutions that marginalize people (society) will end up to failure. And this is what has happened with EAF.
The member countries have Always blamed Tanzanians for being passive in joining The union. Now it has done its part, but i am still not sure whether Tanzanian's leaders convinced beyond reasonable doubts that they are doing the right thing, or they were pressed at the corner to take the move. All in all we are now the part of the Federatin so it sounds useless discussing about why we joined.
Despite the decision at the top political level was made for 10 years ago, but Tanzania's government has not prepared their people to meet the challenge of the Federation. Poor information made Tanzanian's to believe that Federation is impossible by 2010, and many including myself thought it may take place after 20 year, 2020.
Knowing that the formation of EAF is inevitable because of our common history, culture and tradition, that is why I have been writing the positive of the move in the past . Is my pleasure to repeat again and again that the concept of the union is a win -win solution for alleviating poverty in our region. But this is possible only and only when the society (in schools, villages, towns) is very well informed. The free movement of our people will provide the possibilities of increasing their incomes, and on top of that there will be more culture exchanges. By so doing we will increase our productivities because the demand will shoot up.
This move will expand the internal regional market, and decrease the dependant of market outside the continent (EU, USA) which has been very competitive for the resent years. After all why should I import something from EU, USA or somewhere else when I can get it from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi or Rwanda. These are basic reasons that pushes me toward accepting the EAF as a long terms solution for our problems.
In the other hand it is sad to acknowledge that, Until today more than 90% of Tanzanian's including the so called the educated people don't know what will happen with their land. What type of land reforms Tanzania government has made to meet the challenge. What about business? I am not even talking about employment as well as owning houses (mortgages).
How can a Tanzanian join a business in Kenya when he doesn't understand his rights? Today Kenya's government is preaching something else about the job market and Tanzania's is stating completely another thing. Now I question myself if there is any hidden agenda. As long as the leaders of the countries have not come to something common in all the areas including small details, then it is too early to embrace the EAF. This is not like a presidential campaign where the candidate can say anything he likes ( even lying) in order to win the election.
All of these negatives indicates that we were not ready for EAF. Infarct soon or later EAF could come, but not in this way it has happened. It is a question of time line rather than total rejection. I would like to remind my fellow EAF members that- Any Economical solutions that marginalize people (society) will end up to failure. And this is what has happened with EAF.
