Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on the international community to remove all economic sanctions slapped on Burundi to allow the country to make economic progress and serve its people well. She also said Tanzania would support Burundi on its move to join the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Head of State made the statements in Bujumbura, Burundi during her two-day state visit aimed at cementing further the existing bilateral ties and introducing herself to her Burundian counterpart, Evariste Ndayishimiye.
She also commended President Ndayishimiye for his continued efforts in transforming Burundi by fighting corruption, maintaining peace and security and enhancing diplomatic relations with foreign countries as well as international organisations.
“In a short period since he took office, President Ndayishimiye has also led the country on social and economic transformations,” said President Samia on Friday when she attended a state banquet organised by her host, the Burundian Head of State.
“Following these efforts I call upon countries and international institutions which are yet to remove sanctions imposed on Burundi to do so to allow the country make progress in development,” she said.
For his part, President Ndayishimiye commended his Tanzanian counterpart on her ongoing efforts to bring development in the country since she assumed office in March this year. He also consoled President Samia following the fire incident which occurred at the Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam that also serves traders from other East African countries. “The loss was not for Tanzanian traders only, but also their Burundian counterparts,” he said.
He said trade volume between the two countries has increased to 201bn/- in 2019, up from 83.9bn/- that was recorded in 2015. So far Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has registered a total of 18 projects by Burundian investors worth 209bn US dollars. At least 3,544 Tanzanians have been employed in the projects registered by investors from Burundi.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders held official talks, where they agreed on a number of issues, including deepening the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, livestock, sports, arts and culture. They also agreed to implement infrastructure projects that connect the two countries, in a grand move that will continue facilitating movement of people, goods and services.
The duo discussed the importance of building road and railway infrastructure that link the two countries, to continue facilitating movement of people, goods and services. The infrastructure projects include upgrading of the KasuluManyovu section in Tanzania and Rumonge-Gitaza road section in Burundi on the central corridor.
Moreover, plans are in place for the construction of a railway line from Uvinza in Tanzania to Msongati and Gitega in Burundi. “This slot will be connected with the ongoing Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma,” said President Samia during a joint press conference on Friday afternoon.
