I am Kenyan.
I have been reading contributions from my Tanzanian brothers for the past one month. I like the openness - i respect opinions, especially those against EA federation.
It is probably true that Kenyans and Ugandans would be rough players, unfair competitors for fair, peace-loving Tanzanians. Rwanda and Burundi have many wounds to heal after the 1990's genocide.
The truth is:
1) Many countries of the world are benefiting from unions - take the United States for example, during the civil war, millions of people from southern states did not support the federation. The union was not formed until the northern states (led by the Union Army) defeated the southern Confederate soldiers. People lost their lives.
2) Another example - is the EU. Citizens of member states of the EU can't be any happier. Benefits range from economic, social and political. The only way to influence the world today is when you have influence. Influence begins with population and economic might, and political stability. If other people are sitting and articulating policies in one voice, how come we can't do it.
3) Incase of a war (God forbid) - just like in 1994 Tanzania will be forced to accept refugees from neighboring countries. The same thing happened in the 70's when Uganda wa fighting. Tanzanians are very generous people - and we (other EAC) countries ought to sit down, listen and learn the secret to fairness, kindness, and generosity. The point is, when one is in trouble, they seek help from the closest neighbor before they go somewhere else. I like South Africa and its politics However, it would wrong, in my opinion, for Tanzania to view South Africa as a closer ally than Kenya, Uganda and our brother in Rwanda and Burundi. We have many things in common and we need to accept this as a fact.
4) The Hutu and Tutsi people will NOT be a problem for EAC - why? Because any kind of battle will not be against each other, but rather against other 110 million people in other states. When E Africans embrace Rwanda and Burundi, the rebels against the 2 governments will loose it place. We, Kenya Tanzania and Uganda, have a responsibility to help these countries heal their wounds through EA federation.
5) What about the LRA and Charles Kony in Uganda? He will be tamed too. He will no longer have Ugandan government as the enemy - and he will NOT attempt to fight an Army representing more than 100 million people.
6) Kenyan tribalism will have NO PLACE in the federation. The aggressive Luo leaders will have to convince 100 million people that they are worth being leaders before they are voted in. Guess what - if we do not like them, they can't force their way to presidency. The same with Kikuyus - they will no longer be thinking about themselves as being the majority tribe. I am from the Luhya tribe - we vote for leaders from different political parties, not like the former two that only vote for certain people when instructed by their political and tribal chiefs. The Kamba, Somali, Mijikenda (including the sociable Swahili) and of late the Kalenjins are very diverse in political choices. There are many people in Kenya who are tired of the Kikuyu-Luo domination. The point i am trying to make is: EA federation will help Kenyans think beyond their tribes. I know millions of people are willing to do exactly that. Corruption will also die because a corrupt Kenyan, will anger not just a section of Kenyans, but also more than 70 million East Africans. The latter from a majority so impeachment will be a common term. We will NOT stand any unfairness perpetrated on any of our citizens.
The Way out:
1) If, and when we form a federation, views (especially dissenting) - like the ones being voiced in this forum MUST be taken seriously. Representatives from different countries will be looking for a common ground to accommodate everyones concerns. Laws (and many of them) will be drafted that will not favor any tribe or country. Already, Tanzanians are complaining of anticipated domination by other citizens. Regulations will be put in place to be fair to every group, region and country.
2) We should not worry about current presidents being presidents of the Union. My take on this is that, our laws will include regulations about presidency say its rotating presidency restricted to 2 terms, by the time it passes around to 2-3 states, the current presidents will be too old and they would not be serious contenders. Again, say if Kibaki or Museveni runs, and we do not like him we choose someone else. The union will not be run like a military regime. Wananchi will have an option of rejecting non popular leaders.
I hope you read all the above. Kwaherini ndugu zangu.
mzatiti@yahoo.com