AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIA and Burundi yesterday outlined five areas of bilateral cooperation aimed at cementing ties between the neighbouring countries.
In protocols signed during the 6th Joint Permanent Commission meeting held in Kigoma, the two countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation in defense and security, trade and investments, transportation infrastructures, social welfare and diplomatic relations.
Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister Prof Palamagamba Kabudi said that Tanzania will all the time stand with Burundi to ensure that the restored peace and unity in the neighboring country is permanent.
He said that surging collaborations in outlined areas will stimulate economic, political and cultural exchanges between the two countries, transforming the lives of their citizens.
He said the meeting aimed at strengthening existing friendship and integration for mutual benefit.
“When Heads of State of Burundi and Tanzania met in September last year in Kigoma, they directed foreign ministers of the two countries to meet and discuss how to further solidify cooperation in various potential areas,” he said.
Prof Kabudi said Tanzania will raise its voice to call for removal of economic sanctions imposed by Western countries on Burundi as the sanctions were not only affecting Burundians but people in the entire EAC bloc.
“We also hope that Burundi will also be accepted by other East African Community (EAC) member states so as to support its development and enable the country to contribute in the development of the region,” he said.
Burundi and Tanzania have an integrated relationship in various areas of economy, political ties and culture, therefore to facilitate smooth economic activity; the government has been implementing several strategic projects and initiatives, he said.
“There are mega projects like the Nyerere hydropower project set to generate over 2000 megawatts, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), roads, bridges and several others,” he said, noting that in the next five years, the government is poised to accelerate the participation of the private sector in economic activity.
“During the meeting an agreement between the chambers of commerce of Burundi and Tanzania will be signed so as to strengthen collaborations in trade and investments,” he said.
The minister said Tanzania currently hosts 289,664 refugees of various countries where out of them 205,169 are Burundians.
“In collaboration with the Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Tanzania government has been supporting all the refugees fairly as well as facilitating voluntary repatriation of the refugees wishing to go back to their home countries,” he said.
From September 2017 to December 2020 a total of 106,816 refugees were repatriated to Burundi voluntarily to join relatives in the homeland, he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Albert Shingiro, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Burundi commended experts from both countries for their efforts towards reaching agreement in the various areas of cooperation.
“As Tanzanians and Burundians are living it is like there is no boundary, because we are living like blood brothers and sisters cooperating in various things which stimulate development and bring self-worth among the people,” he said.
He commended President John Magufuli for his efforts towards strengthening solidarity between the two countries.
Ambassador Shingiro said that in his leadership, Dr Magufuli works hard to create a respected Africa with exceptional economic development.
He said that Burundi, with President EvaristeNdayishimiye is well prepared to ensure that it strengthens economic, political and cultural collaborations between the two countries.
“Burundi is safe and peaceful. We are welcoming guests, investors from across the world. Burundians are now enjoying their rights and living peacefully in their beautiful motherland, a number of people who fled the country during the time of uncertainty have now returned,” he declared.
He further commended Tanzania for accommodating Burundian refugees as well as facilitating voluntary repatriation to their home country.
“Tanzania and Burundi are currently awake more than ever before to ensure that we protect our rich resources which have been stolen for years leaving our people poor. It is high time now we stand up strong to ensure that every resource we have benefits our people and not otherwise,” he said.
He said Burundians will not forget the huge role taken up by Tanzania to restore peace in Burundi.
“The implementation of the agreements will commence effectively without delay so as to bring positive impacts to our people,” he said.
Earlier, Wilbert Ibuge, the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, said in the technical meeting permanent secretaries and senior officials from the two countries came up with a draft of the areas of cooperation.
“The draft which will be presented before the meeting here today carries several priorities which will be implemented by the two countries to bring transformation in the two nations,” he said.
In the draft, the two countries have agreed to strengthen diplomatic relations, defense and security, trade and investment, infrastructures and transportation as well as social links.
Regional Commissioner Thobias Adengenye said residents in the region are the ones who are going to benefit heavily from the agreements.
“Kigoma has investment opportunities in agriculture, fishing, transport and several businesses. We also have favorable and supportive infrastructures to facilitate smooth operations of traders and investors,” he said, welcoming residents of the two countries to visit tourist attractions like national parks, as well as cultural and historical sites.
