BY GADIOSA LAMTEY
22nd February 2013
With Tanzania loosing 30 elephants to poaching everyday a disturbing more than 10 000 annually, the country and neighbouring Kenya have agreed to intensify joint efforts to combat wildlife poaching.
The two governments have also reaffirmed their regional economic development initiatives specifying export and investment are to take central place as the keys to increased trade volume.
Briefing journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe reported on the productive talks held on Wednesday evening by the two Heads of state, Kenya’s outgoing President Mwai Kibaki and his host the Union president, Jakaya Kikwete.
Both Presidents are reportedly, satisfied with the relations between the two countries and apparently they also expressed satisfaction with the political and economic situation of their countries.
Political stability has been a strong suite for the two countries compared to the other East African nations with exception of opposition party allegations of ruling party biasness and previous violence during election periods.
With that in mind, both Presidents called on Kenya to conduct open and peaceful elections come March 4 in two weeks time. The Presidents also urged international election observers to aid Kenyans to make this vital decision that will determine the course of the country for the next half a decade.
Kikwete assured Kenyans that his government and Tanzania will respect the Kenyan choice and work closely with whoever is elected new President.
On violence and threats of violence in countries like the DRC, Southern Sudan, Sudan and Somalia both presidents urged concerned parties to give dialogue room and allow the rule of law and democracy to by resolving their conflicts peacefully.
President Kibaki arrived in the country on Wednesday following an extended invitation by President Kikwete for a two day state visit to bid farewell as his tenure comes to a successful end.
While in the country he inaugurated the new Mwai Kibaki Road (formerly Old Bagamoyo Road), renamed so in his honour. He also visited the Ukonga prison and addressed multitudes at the Sabasaba grounds.
In his address, President Kibaki commended Tanzanians for continued collaboration with Kenyans, urging them to preserve the prevailing peace, to maintain bi-lateral collaboration and to expand the scope of Kiswahili in the nation but to also advocate it across the borders.
The relationship between Kenya and Tanzania has increased trade between the countries and Kibaki encouraged continued trade relations. President Kibaki left the country yesterday evening to return to his home country, Kenya.
“…I am here to bid Tanzanians farewell but it doesn’t mean we will not see each other…” those were the Kenya’s President farewell words, touching, encouraging and motivating.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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