Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE : Calm down, Kenyans; Tanzania is flying!
IN SUMMARY
While the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America are busy preparing for President Barack Obama's tour, Kenyans are busy whining why Obama is scorning their country.
Kenyans are so angry because from the moment Obama took the oath of office as the President of the United States on January 20, 2009, they have been considering their country so special to the American president because of his Kenyan roots.
Definitely, based on African traditions Obama, being male, ought to recognise his father's country and ethnicity as his, and to Africans that does not change simply because one is the president of a foreign country. In other words, despite being an American citizen by birth and an elected president, at the minimum Obama was expected to identify himself as a Luo and a Kenyan at heart.
Coincidentally, Luos are among conservative African ethnic groupings, adhering to their traditions even when everyone thinks otherwise. For instance, in Tanzania and Kenya where they are found, courts of law know them very well as people who disregard everyone's traditional customs, and if possible even laws, to give room to theirs.
But leave the conservativeness of the Luos aside; Kenyans, perhaps due to historical trends and an attitude to embrace everything western, find it impossible to believe that Obama as a personality was created by Americans to serve Americans. Making Obama's two elections a big deal in Kenya and marketing his roots globally has not changed this fact.
Obama considers himself an African American by ethnicity, an American citizen, and a politician. He warned Kenyans in 2006 while visiting there as a senator telling them: "I am not a Kenyan politician; I am an American politician." But Kenyans didn't get it.
Obama doesn't hate his roots, but as an American president he has an obligation to serve American interests first and foremost. He was not elected to serve Kenya; he was elected to serve the United States of America.
Thus, in serving his country, Obama found himself readying for a trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania bypassing Kenya, the country of his father. Why? Speculations can tell a lot, but here is a bitter fact: Obama is the third US president to bypass Kenya while visiting Tanzania.
Some Kenyan analysts put blame on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto because they are suspects. Too bad for them; was President Daniel arap Moi a suspect when President Bill Clinton visited Tanzania in 2000 leaving Kenya out of schedule? How about Mwai Kibaki in 2008 when President George W. Bush came to Tanzania?
Notably, Kenya despite being a staunch US puppet during the Cold War, has not managed to attract the attention of Washington in the post-Cold War era, even after going to war with hungry mobs in Somalia to defend American security interests.
Tanzania may have embraced the African brand of socialism called Ujamaa during the Cold War, totally different from communism, but both considered by the West as repugnant, but its foreign policy carried humanistic values and placed Tanzania on the world map in a very unique way.
Furthermore, Tanzania was the beacon of freedom-fighting in Africa, even leading and headquartering Africa's Liberation Committee.
Likewise, Tanzania's post-independence policies made the country a different nation state in Africa and nothing much has changed today despite some severe challenges. Frankly, Tanzania earned respect and it's time to receive the pay-off.
It wasn't a coincidence to see the newly-appointed Chinese president, Xi Jinping, landing in Tanzania before anywhere else in Africa and addressing the continent from Dar es Salaam. As we know China considers Tanzania a far durable and true friend more than any other African country.
In the same fashion, Obama will also speak to the whole continent, the American nation, and the world about investing in and trading with Africa. Moreover, Obama is coming at a time when several presidents will be attending a smart partnership summit in Dar es Salaam, and thereafter a first ladies' event will follow with Bush and his wife Laura in attendance.
Kenyans should brace for more things to come because Tanzania, however humble the country is, is flying. Just look at the number of guests and the series of events that have been coming and taking place in Tanzania in the past few years!
There is a message! Kenyans, please chill out; comparatively, Tanzania is flying on the international stage!
WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE : Calm down, Kenyans; Tanzania is flying! - Opinion/Editorial - thecitizen.co.tz
With Or Without Obama, Tanzania Still Trails Us
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013 - 00:00 --
BY TIMOTHY KABERIA
The gloating by our Tanzanian neighbors over US President Barack Obama's is unfortunate since the celebration seems to be about Kenya being snubbed by its "own" instead of being about what it means for Tanzania.
In an article mocking Kenyans published Tuesday by the Citizen of Tanzania, Mobhare Matinyi misrepresents the Kenyan psych, trivializes the trip and attempts to downplay the fact that Kenya remains the most important and strategic partner in the region. Matinyi's article titled 'Calm down Kenyans, Tanzania is flying' epitomizes the disdain and fear Tanzanians in the Diaspora and at home have for Kenyans. The article reiterates cheap stereotypes and hardly touches on why Obama chose Tanzania over Kenya.
Capitalizing on Kenya's bane of tribalism, Matinyi fails to appreciate the fact that Tanzania has its own brand of tribalism. Regionalism and religious differences continue to dodge the country. The divide is so deep that the said "unity" is all but a sham.
Obama gave very flimsy reasons for skipping Kenya. He inadvertently got himself dragged into Kenya's tribal politics. Clearly, the choice of Tanzania had nothing to do with that country having the most conducive business, political, economic, democratic or strategic environment for America's new found interest in investing in Africa. Tanzania lacks all of the above but because it was not "optimal" to visit Kenya at this time. Museveni led the anti-ICC crusade thus leaving Tanzania with no competition for the East African slot in Obama's itinerary. Tanzania was clearly an afterthought following the results of Kenya's elections. That a sitting and former US President were in Tanzania at the same time proves the challenges involved. This is highly unusual of American protocol and the fact that President Obama was forced to defend his own commitment to funding PEPFAR compared to Bush was a little awkward.
President Obama must be lauded for having the courage to challenge China's trade imbalance with Africa. The bold move by the US invokes memories of the 1885 scramble for Africa when Europeans sat in Brussels and subdivided the continent amongst themselves. This time around though the players are different. "Trade partnership", not colonialism is the name of the game. The common denominator remains the same; African resources. Unlike 128 years ago, Africans now have an opportunity to dictate the terms of engagement with China, Brazil, India and now America. America is determined not to completely cede Africa to the Chinese and for the first time there is hope that Africa may benefit from its bounty.
While Tanzania savors its fifteen minutes of fame, American strategists must be wondering whether sidelining Kenya was not a boneheaded move. Forget the ICC, the new push is about growing American business interests. Does Tanzania really have the capacity to play America's blue-eyed boy in the region? Highly doubtful! The paradox is that America hopes to amalgamate the EAC trading block through the one member who has been a stumbling block to the integration of the EAC.
Over the years Tanzania's fear of Kenya has led to misinformed "protectionism." It tried to frustrate integration of the common but Kenya and Uganda outwitted Tanzania by bringing in Burundi and Rwanda and in the process rendered Tanzania's protestation inconsequential. Tanzania had held EAC at ransom with uncooperative demands while maintaining membership in SADC. While trying to improve the small port of Dar es salaam is good, the fact remains that Mombasa port is bigger and Lamu is poised to be even bigger and more modern. Thus the question; does the US really believe that America can penetrate the EAC's market through a weak Tanzania"?
America's interests in East and Horn of Africa go beyond "trade" and PEPFAR. From the 2005 Naivasha accord that ended the fighting in Sudan, hosting the Somalia government in Nairobi and hundreds of thousands of refugees from Rwanda, Sudan and Somali at the Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps to finally flushing Al-Shabab out of Kismayu, Kenya has been central in safeguarding regional and American interests in the area. Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda all contributed soldiers to AMISOM while Tanzania sat on the fence and waited for others to sow the seed only for them to come back and harvest. Tanzania has done nothing to fight terror and piracy in the Indian Ocean yet America seems to be embracing it as the regional shining light. Is this about geopolitical considerations or a skewed effort to validate Johnnie Carson's "choices have consequences" quip?
Finally, Tanzanians need to remember that unless they take full advantage of Obama's goodwill, Kenya will happily jump in. Focusing on discussing Kenya with the Americans or anyone else does not help Tanzania in its efforts to move out of Kenya's shadow.
Kaberia is The Star newspaper's Correspondent in Washington, DC. He comments on African politics.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/arti...tanzania-still-trails-us#sthash.hjhZYc2s.dpuf
MY TAKE
No wonder this dude is called Kibera...
IN SUMMARY
- Thus, in serving his country, Obama found himself readying for a trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania bypassing Kenya, the country of his father.
While the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America are busy preparing for President Barack Obama's tour, Kenyans are busy whining why Obama is scorning their country.
Kenyans are so angry because from the moment Obama took the oath of office as the President of the United States on January 20, 2009, they have been considering their country so special to the American president because of his Kenyan roots.
Definitely, based on African traditions Obama, being male, ought to recognise his father's country and ethnicity as his, and to Africans that does not change simply because one is the president of a foreign country. In other words, despite being an American citizen by birth and an elected president, at the minimum Obama was expected to identify himself as a Luo and a Kenyan at heart.
Coincidentally, Luos are among conservative African ethnic groupings, adhering to their traditions even when everyone thinks otherwise. For instance, in Tanzania and Kenya where they are found, courts of law know them very well as people who disregard everyone's traditional customs, and if possible even laws, to give room to theirs.
But leave the conservativeness of the Luos aside; Kenyans, perhaps due to historical trends and an attitude to embrace everything western, find it impossible to believe that Obama as a personality was created by Americans to serve Americans. Making Obama's two elections a big deal in Kenya and marketing his roots globally has not changed this fact.
Obama considers himself an African American by ethnicity, an American citizen, and a politician. He warned Kenyans in 2006 while visiting there as a senator telling them: "I am not a Kenyan politician; I am an American politician." But Kenyans didn't get it.
Obama doesn't hate his roots, but as an American president he has an obligation to serve American interests first and foremost. He was not elected to serve Kenya; he was elected to serve the United States of America.
Thus, in serving his country, Obama found himself readying for a trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania bypassing Kenya, the country of his father. Why? Speculations can tell a lot, but here is a bitter fact: Obama is the third US president to bypass Kenya while visiting Tanzania.
Some Kenyan analysts put blame on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto because they are suspects. Too bad for them; was President Daniel arap Moi a suspect when President Bill Clinton visited Tanzania in 2000 leaving Kenya out of schedule? How about Mwai Kibaki in 2008 when President George W. Bush came to Tanzania?
Notably, Kenya despite being a staunch US puppet during the Cold War, has not managed to attract the attention of Washington in the post-Cold War era, even after going to war with hungry mobs in Somalia to defend American security interests.
Tanzania may have embraced the African brand of socialism called Ujamaa during the Cold War, totally different from communism, but both considered by the West as repugnant, but its foreign policy carried humanistic values and placed Tanzania on the world map in a very unique way.
Furthermore, Tanzania was the beacon of freedom-fighting in Africa, even leading and headquartering Africa's Liberation Committee.
Likewise, Tanzania's post-independence policies made the country a different nation state in Africa and nothing much has changed today despite some severe challenges. Frankly, Tanzania earned respect and it's time to receive the pay-off.
It wasn't a coincidence to see the newly-appointed Chinese president, Xi Jinping, landing in Tanzania before anywhere else in Africa and addressing the continent from Dar es Salaam. As we know China considers Tanzania a far durable and true friend more than any other African country.
In the same fashion, Obama will also speak to the whole continent, the American nation, and the world about investing in and trading with Africa. Moreover, Obama is coming at a time when several presidents will be attending a smart partnership summit in Dar es Salaam, and thereafter a first ladies' event will follow with Bush and his wife Laura in attendance.
Kenyans should brace for more things to come because Tanzania, however humble the country is, is flying. Just look at the number of guests and the series of events that have been coming and taking place in Tanzania in the past few years!
There is a message! Kenyans, please chill out; comparatively, Tanzania is flying on the international stage!
WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE : Calm down, Kenyans; Tanzania is flying! - Opinion/Editorial - thecitizen.co.tz
With Or Without Obama, Tanzania Still Trails Us
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013 - 00:00 --
BY TIMOTHY KABERIA
The gloating by our Tanzanian neighbors over US President Barack Obama's is unfortunate since the celebration seems to be about Kenya being snubbed by its "own" instead of being about what it means for Tanzania.
In an article mocking Kenyans published Tuesday by the Citizen of Tanzania, Mobhare Matinyi misrepresents the Kenyan psych, trivializes the trip and attempts to downplay the fact that Kenya remains the most important and strategic partner in the region. Matinyi's article titled 'Calm down Kenyans, Tanzania is flying' epitomizes the disdain and fear Tanzanians in the Diaspora and at home have for Kenyans. The article reiterates cheap stereotypes and hardly touches on why Obama chose Tanzania over Kenya.
Capitalizing on Kenya's bane of tribalism, Matinyi fails to appreciate the fact that Tanzania has its own brand of tribalism. Regionalism and religious differences continue to dodge the country. The divide is so deep that the said "unity" is all but a sham.
Obama gave very flimsy reasons for skipping Kenya. He inadvertently got himself dragged into Kenya's tribal politics. Clearly, the choice of Tanzania had nothing to do with that country having the most conducive business, political, economic, democratic or strategic environment for America's new found interest in investing in Africa. Tanzania lacks all of the above but because it was not "optimal" to visit Kenya at this time. Museveni led the anti-ICC crusade thus leaving Tanzania with no competition for the East African slot in Obama's itinerary. Tanzania was clearly an afterthought following the results of Kenya's elections. That a sitting and former US President were in Tanzania at the same time proves the challenges involved. This is highly unusual of American protocol and the fact that President Obama was forced to defend his own commitment to funding PEPFAR compared to Bush was a little awkward.
President Obama must be lauded for having the courage to challenge China's trade imbalance with Africa. The bold move by the US invokes memories of the 1885 scramble for Africa when Europeans sat in Brussels and subdivided the continent amongst themselves. This time around though the players are different. "Trade partnership", not colonialism is the name of the game. The common denominator remains the same; African resources. Unlike 128 years ago, Africans now have an opportunity to dictate the terms of engagement with China, Brazil, India and now America. America is determined not to completely cede Africa to the Chinese and for the first time there is hope that Africa may benefit from its bounty.
While Tanzania savors its fifteen minutes of fame, American strategists must be wondering whether sidelining Kenya was not a boneheaded move. Forget the ICC, the new push is about growing American business interests. Does Tanzania really have the capacity to play America's blue-eyed boy in the region? Highly doubtful! The paradox is that America hopes to amalgamate the EAC trading block through the one member who has been a stumbling block to the integration of the EAC.
Over the years Tanzania's fear of Kenya has led to misinformed "protectionism." It tried to frustrate integration of the common but Kenya and Uganda outwitted Tanzania by bringing in Burundi and Rwanda and in the process rendered Tanzania's protestation inconsequential. Tanzania had held EAC at ransom with uncooperative demands while maintaining membership in SADC. While trying to improve the small port of Dar es salaam is good, the fact remains that Mombasa port is bigger and Lamu is poised to be even bigger and more modern. Thus the question; does the US really believe that America can penetrate the EAC's market through a weak Tanzania"?
America's interests in East and Horn of Africa go beyond "trade" and PEPFAR. From the 2005 Naivasha accord that ended the fighting in Sudan, hosting the Somalia government in Nairobi and hundreds of thousands of refugees from Rwanda, Sudan and Somali at the Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps to finally flushing Al-Shabab out of Kismayu, Kenya has been central in safeguarding regional and American interests in the area. Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda all contributed soldiers to AMISOM while Tanzania sat on the fence and waited for others to sow the seed only for them to come back and harvest. Tanzania has done nothing to fight terror and piracy in the Indian Ocean yet America seems to be embracing it as the regional shining light. Is this about geopolitical considerations or a skewed effort to validate Johnnie Carson's "choices have consequences" quip?
Finally, Tanzanians need to remember that unless they take full advantage of Obama's goodwill, Kenya will happily jump in. Focusing on discussing Kenya with the Americans or anyone else does not help Tanzania in its efforts to move out of Kenya's shadow.
Kaberia is The Star newspaper's Correspondent in Washington, DC. He comments on African politics.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/arti...tanzania-still-trails-us#sthash.hjhZYc2s.dpuf
MY TAKE
No wonder this dude is called Kibera...
