Unregistered said:
Kenya, you need Tanzania and the rest of East Africa. You shouldn't fool yourself that you don't need Tz.
Of course Kenyans Know they need the EAC. Its the Tanzanians (some) in this forum who need to wake up on the issue instead of throwing insults at other EAC. As you have been reminded Ugandans and Rwandans who were devastated by war are way ahead or overtaking Tz economically with all its 'peace'.
Somebody talked about forced marriage: Tanzanians should know that no one will force them into the union. Every country will have to hold a referendum.
It is good thing that the politicians have put into gear that process
in a year we will all vote.
That is the best thing that can happen because Tanzanians, if they want to, will Officially say NO. Such forums like these ones will not be necessary anymore and the EAC will be built by those who are willing.
Those EU spending money on building EAC headquarters in Arusha should stop immediately until after the vote otherwise youll start hearing xenophobic Tanzanians saying Ugandans and Kenyans (nilotes) want to grab their very rich and developed Bantu Arusha.
To summarize some the arguments in the last few pages Tzians are saying they will not join EAC coz
1. Other EAC countries are mostly nilotes (a lie!) and sooo different therefore they prefer to join hands with the bantu southern Africa (SADC).
- the problem with this argument is that 1st of all its Tribalistic and even if they took it seriously joining hands with SADC is actually an economic affair (are there any plans to get one SADC passport or parliament?). An economic affair means that Tanzanians prefer to deal with still white run SA and Namibia.
2. Tanzania got left behind when trying to help those countries and dont want to be tricked again.
a) it has been suggested that Britain paid for some of the war on Amin
tz didnt do it all alone
b) the union broke up because of Idi amins dictatorship and tzania socialism neither of which could mix very well with capitalism
c) if tznians claim to be the noble freedom fighters and helpers how come they see no problem with doing business with todays boer run SA economy that dominates SADC
what happened to their love for fellow black south Africans who according to Desmond Tutu till today are not tasting the great economic powerhouse proceeds?
3. Some person says that Kenyan leaders advertise parts of Tanzania claiming them to be parts of Kenya in tourism.
- Jameni kama huo si uchochezi...It is a LIE until he/ she produces proof!
Kenyan leaders do not even engage in tourism marketing.
4. Another says that other EAC countries just want to come grab Tz land and that Kenya for example should 1st kick out all its white land owners before any union.
a) the idea of anyone migrating to Tz other than if sent by their company for a job in one of the towns is a bit too far-fetched.
b) and even then you dont seem to have problems with wazungus and Indians buying off your land, mines and parastatals do you?
c) the whole idea of going zimbambwe way is simply to outrageous to address
5. Other EAC countries have conflicts, tribalism, crime and corruption.
- here many contributors have reminded them that
a) some of those EAC countries they despise are back on their feet if not way ahead of of Tz on many issues,
b) Tzaninans themselves have conflicts with Zanzibaris who have declared right here they would prefer EAC to SADC
c) pointing fingers at others on the basis of nilote/ Bantu and then accusing them of tribalism is way too contradictory
d) They cry about other EAC crime rates but are conveniently blind to SA crimes levels thare propably among the highest in the whole world.
e) Tzanians have their own corruption as well
they know it as well but considering the freedom of speech (media) in the country its not part of public debate. At least other EAC countries are not hiding their heads in the sand on the issue like ostriches
f) one Tanzanian on the forum talked about visiting SA and realizing that its even more xenophobic
everybody: Tz, rwandan, Ugandan, Kenya are all makwerekwere
kujidanganya tu eti SA is closer to Tz
laughable!
g) tzanians have kicked out Kenyans, Ugandans, Rwandans out of their country and replaced them with wazungus and Indians
Kama hiyo si RACISM against your own race tuambieni?
In conclusion:
If the comments by Tanzanians in this forum are representative of the country it is safe to say they are simply not ready for any union...shall we say too kenyaphobic?
It would be kinda stupid if not funny because whether they like it or not they are already part of EA geographically and everybody else (the west, other Africans even their beloved SA) except them knows or accepts that.
A NO might be sad to some but then it would give the other EAC the mandate to move on fast and firmly in building the union.
We should have that referendum sooner so that they can make their intentions as a country official and everybody move on!
Otherwise there is no point visiting this forum trying to convince anybody anything. Everybody should do their homework and use their referundum vote wisely!