With Yaba Odongo Odoyo

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of eight Partner States: The Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

The four pillars of EAC integration was to achieve prosperity, competitiveness, security, stability and political unification in the regional member states.

The EAC integration agenda is strategically anchored on four fundamental pillars: the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union, and Political Federation. Each pillar builds progressively upon the other, establishing a comprehensive framework for regional unity and collaboration.The EAC aims to achieve prosperity, competitiveness, security, stability and political unification in East Africa.

The Community, formed in 1967, dissolved in 1977 due to a combination of political and economic factors, including ideological differences, uneven levels of development, and disagreements over decision-making power. The Uganda coup, which brought Idi Amin to power, significantly worsened relations between Uganda and Tanzania, further straining the community’s relationship.

Therefore, considering the community’s foundational principles, Tanzania’s latest order to  bar foreign business community from trade and business in the country right now when intergration is taking shape is very unfortunate. The region’s population largely depend on one another and have been previllaged to carry out businesses on free border crossing on the basis of one-people one- region.

Reactions oppossing and questioning the ban has been ripe within the community border points.What would be the reason(s) for this harsh move, which is reminding us of the past? The community, formed in 1967, was dissolved in 1977 due to a combination of political and economic factors, including ideological differences, uneven levels of development, and disagreements over decision-making power. The 1971 Uganda coup, which brought Idi Amin to power, significantly worsened relations between Uganda and Tanzania, further straining the community’s unity.

Fear is already griping the regional block of similar occurences if the situation is not contained and brought back to its normalcy. Recently,President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Kenyan counterpart (host) Dr. William Ruto were in Nairobi for an international forum where they stated the need for respect and regional economic development among other issues.

The regional key players are in consultations to address the latest move by the Tanzania government, which is viewed as a bottleneck to the intergration process. Immediately thereafter, Kenya has diplomatically approached the Tanzania government to reconsider its decision to ban foreigners from carrying out some categories of businesses in the country. The talks are on-going, hopefully a lasting solution  will be found.

Pundits and observers however, viewed the move by Tanzania’s administration on the strained relationship with Kenya over some interferences in their internal administrative and political affairs. Although this is far fetched, it does not escape from the minds of many the recent development between some Kenyan activists and the Dodoma administration.

In Kenya, from Migori, Tarime, Isebania along the border to Namanga, Rombo and Lungalunga, and Loitoktok, among others, the ban is already being felf. The unspoken question lingering in the minds of the majority is how they will treat their fellow business partners from across the border towns. More so, the ban is affecting even movements of goods and cargos from the entry and departure ports within the region.. 

Under the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, Violators face tough penalties, including fines of up to 10 million Tanzanian shillings, the equivalent of nearly 3,900 US dollars, or up to six months in prison. Foreigners may also lose their residence permits and visas. Tanzanian citizens who assist non-citizens in these restricted businesses could be fined up to 5 million shillings or jailed for three months.

Under the new directive, foreigners are prohibited from engaging in 15 business areas considered essential to grassroots economic empowerment. These include running salons, small retail shops, eateries, and mobile money kiosks — businesses traditionally dominated by Tanzanians.

Ustaz Emmanuel Kachoul   of the South Sudan Business Community in Mombasa expressed concern over the action by the Tanzania Government as can be  seen in his chat with a senor member of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce in Juba. “My brother Yacoub Kenyi Leju,, with due respect. President, Madam Samia Suluhu, have right to protect national interest but decision or directive causes serious implications as far as the EAC block is concerned.”

“Her Excellency needs to be advised by the EAC leadership to review and reconsider her directives  as this is not in the interest of EAC spirit of Integration instruments that underline the two main objectives.”

According to Kachoul, the two objectives include; economic, which aims at removing trade barriers, free movement of goods and labor and capital between regional allowing economic growth, and political. 

“A a citizen in East Africa and representative of South Sudan Business Community in the region, our EAC leadership must meet quickly to save the block from collapsing again because of two nations’ (Kenya and Tanzania) political differences. 

The EAC, a hihly regarded community with very wonderful ideas, collapsed in 1977. Now under its strong foundational structures and organs, there is need to safeguard its vision and mission by all means.

Yaba (Jaduong) Odongo Odoyo is a leading   commentator, writer and established Editor with long standing career in journalism and media industry internationally. The comments and insight shared are his own. You can contact him at +211921351878, +254795226883 or e-mail: odoyo2002@gmail.com.