Rwanda, Tanzania relations on the mend as officials visit

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Tanzania seem to be on the path to normal and this is coming first through efforts by two countries to improve trade.

Business activities along the Central Corridor (between Rwanda and Tanzania) have for more than three years now suffered as diplomatic relations touched the lowest point between the two countries.

With Rwanda’s Ministry of East African Community (MINEAC) hosting a delegation from Tanzania led by Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Ltd (TICTS), Rwanda’s importers and exporters have hope of safety for their goods at Dar es Salaam port, for which confidence had gone down among the Rwandan business community.

Although TICTS is a private firm operating at the port, the Tanzanian government is also assuring political security to Rwandan traders.

Tanzanian Ambassador to Rwanda Ali Idisiwa says his government is also dispatching a government delegation through the Dar es Salaam Ports Authority, a government agency to restore trade ties and improve diplomatic relations.

“Relations between the two countries have always been excellent but there are moments when it does not go well,” said Mr Idisiwa. “However, all these efforts through trade are aimed at making diplomatic and business relations even better.”

The attempt by both Tanzania and Rwanda to normalise their diplomatic relations will see Rusumo border post between the two countries, the busiest and the most effective in Rwanda which accounts for at least 60 per cent of the country’s imports, work efficiently.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated three years ago when Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete suggested to his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame that the latter enters into peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo-based rebels Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

FDLR is accused of committing genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and therefore the suggestion by Tanzania that Rwanda goes to the negotiating table with the rebels did not go down well with Kigali.

A “Cold War” between the two heads of state ensued as the tensions escalated and the relationship between the two remain lukewarm.

President Kikwete was last week in Kenya on a state visit and bidding farewell to his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta before he leaves office. As chairperson of the East African Community, it is however unclear yet if President Kikwete will visit all the five member states of the bloc, which would offer an opportunity for the two heads of state to mend fences.

“I am not President Kikwete’s spokesperson but I would wish to see him visit all member states, Rwanda included, before he departs office but I have no clue as of now whether he will come or not,” added the ambassador.

Rwandans expelled
As the bilateral relations soured further, Tanzania expelled about 20,000 people from Kagera region whom the authorities deemed Rwandans. Many of them are still in refugee camps in Rwanda. And in August 2013, Rwanda received close to 15,000 people who were expelled from Tanzania on claims that they had settled in Kagera illegally.

MINEAC has acknowledged the improving business relations between the two countries as well as working towards a cordial relationship diplomatically.

“We are taking everything at a time and ensuring trade co-operation is a step in the right direction and this signals good relations between the two countries,” said Jean Pierre Hategikimana, the acting Permanent Secretary at MINEAC.

Meanwhile, Rwandan exporters have reported unprecedented thefts of their mineral exports this year, particularly at the Dar port. Rwandan mineral exporters have for a long time fallen victim to thieves, particularly at the port.

The reports have become a concern not only to the Rwanda Mining Association (RMA) but also government officials. The theft is said to take place between the warehouses and the harbour where shipping is done.

Mineral Supply Africa (MSA) has been the biggest victim of this kind of theft at the Dar port, after it reportedly lost a coltan container valued at around $760,000 last year.

OP The East African