This is a question many Tanzanians are asking themselves, including Rwandan and Kenyan citizens, and perhaps even those in other countries, after the presidents paid their visits to Tanzania and met and held talks with their Host, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at different times.
The following are some of the various issues that President Dr. Samia discussed with the presidents.
Rwanda: President Kagame
Tanzania and Rwanda have vowed to strengthen relations and economic cooperation, with Rwanda, over 29 years, registering 42 investment projects in the country worth US$325.5 million (over Sh813.7 billion).
In the transportation and cargo transportation sector, President Samia said that approximately 70% of Rwanda’s cargo passes through the Port of Dar es Salaam, which handles an average of 1.6 million tons of the country’s cargo annually.
President Kagame said Rwanda is continuing to commemorate the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and will recognize Tanzanians who showed courage and humanity during that period.
In addition, Kagame stressed the importance of regional unity through the EAC and the AU, especially in a period of political and economic change in the world.
“Tanzania is a very important partner for Rwanda. Our cooperation in trade and transport is a pillar of our integration with the world,” he said.
He said the Tanzanian private sector has also expanded its investment in Rwanda through the companies Bakhresa Group, Magodoro Dodoma, Discount Centre, Jumbo Plastics, Sugar Enterprises, Hagar Enterprises, Buffalo Travelling Tours, Maxcom Africa, Gasabo Brain Mining Company, LCM Delta Company and Matrix Integrated Consult.
He named Tanzania as an important partner for Rwanda especially through the Port of Dar es Salaam, which is the country’s main gateway to international markets.
“It is a pleasure to be here. Today’s talks have strengthened our relationship and highlighted ways to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation for our people,” he said.
He said cooperation in communications, particularly the expansion of fiber optic infrastructure, is another area that will be strengthened to improve digital services and regional connectivity.
In the energy sector, he said Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are benefiting from the Rusumo Falls hydropower project generating 80 megawatts, with the countries agreeing to strengthen electricity trade between Tanesco and Rwanda Energy Group (REG).
In their bilateral meeting, he said they discussed major infrastructure projects, including the modern railway (SGR) from Isaka to Kigali, which is expected to reduce transportation costs and increase trade efficiency.
“As a port country, we have a responsibility to ensure that landlocked countries are served effectively. We have agreed to further improve port services and establish special systems to facilitate Rwandan cargo,” he said.
Kenya President Ruto
Kenyan President William Ruto has said that East African countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) will ensure that they build a joint oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, like the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, with the aim of ensuring that East African countries do not have problems importing oil from abroad.
Addressing the Tanzanian Parliament, Ruto said “Uganda has already built an oil pipeline from Hoima (Uganda) to Tanga when I sat with Museveni I asked Mzee why we should take our oil and refine it I don’t know where and then buy oil which is expensive, why don’t we build an oil refinery ourselves? He told me since the cost is high let’s come together and build it together after the experts did a study we agreed to join three countries to build that factory”
“We agreed to have a conference, we called the rich Dangote and others and we agreed that the opportunity we have is not to continue exporting raw materials and then we buy products at high prices, we agreed to build an oil refinery here, so that we can create jobs here and get oil products here instead of us going to struggle in Hormuz to get oil”
“Now I have heard you are asking Mama Samia difficult questions, that she has gone to announce an oil refinery there, listen that investment is worth billions of dollars, if I had the chance I would take it to Kenya “But because I believe in the neighborhood, the African continent and the East African Community, we are one. I said if Tanga is built, it is like it was built in Kenya,” he said.
