Relations Between Rwanda and Tanzania Have Soured, President Jakaya Kikwete Says

http://www.afroamerica.net/AfricaGL/2013/08/03/relations-between-rwanda-and-tanzania-have-soured-president-jakaya-kikwete-says/#more-2760

Relations Between Rwanda and Tanzania Have Soured, President Jakaya Kikwete Says

by AFROAMERICA NETWORK on AUGUST 3, 2013

"Over the past two months, especially since the end of May, 2013, the relations between our country and Rwanda have been going through a tough time. Rwandan officials' statements against me and our country is a proof of the deterioration of these relations.

Let me assure you, my fellow citizens and our Rwandan brothers. As the leader of the government and the people of Tanzania, I am committed to good relations and close cooperation with Rwanda as well as with all neighboring countries. Neighbors need each other, hence we must have a good relations and cooperation," Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said on Wednesday July 31, 2013 as he closed his monthly address to the Nation.

Rwandan Officials' Insults Are Directed at Tanzania and Myself, Says President Jakaya Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete was referring to the war of words that pits Rwandan against Tanzanian officials after he advised that the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda open negotiations with their armed opposition in order to bring long lasting peace and security to the DRC and the Great Lakes Region of Africa (see our articles on the subject and UN Security Council on Great Lakes: Rwanda Subdued, Tanzania Maintains Stand, Threatens to Deal With Enemies Like It Did With Idi Amin of July 26, 2013).

President Kikwete added that he is aware of insults, slanders and demeaning behaviors of Rwandan leaders directed at his person, his country and his people.

Tanzanian People and Government Remain Committed to Peaceful Relations with Neighbors

He insisted that as the head of state of Tanzania, he remains committed to peaceful cohabitation and good relations with Tanzania's neighbors. Below is an excerpt of his speech on Rwanda-Tanzanian souring relations:

"Fellow Citizens;
It is a matter of fact that, in our national interest, we have promoted actions aimed at building good neighborliness and would strengthen our relations with our neighbors.
That is one of the main pillars of the Foreign Policy of Tanzania. That has been the tenet of our relations with the country of Rwanda, before and after the recent uncertainty. I would like to assure our Rwandan brothers that, as far as Tanzania is concerned, nothing has changed and the level of our cooperation has not declined.

Things are the same. For me, personally, I have not said anything against Rwanda, despite a lot of abusive words, insults and sarcasm coming out of the mouth of Rwanda leaders and aimed at me. Not because I do not know what was said, who said it and when, or that I have nothing to say. Of course not. I have not done this because I do not see the benefits from doing it. To me, I feel like there is some conflict. The sages have taught us that we should not fuel all conflicts. The British say that "two wrongs do not make a right".

Fellow Citizens;
As you know our relationship with Rwanda has been good for many years. We cooperate and help each other so much between our countries in our region, bilaterally, in East Africa community, the Great Lakes Region, in the African Union, and even internationally.

Our relations seem to have deteriorate after I gave an advice to the Government of Rwanda to talk to their opposition. The advice was given in good faith, because I truly believe that if something can be resolved through dialogue, it is the best way to go.
Furthermore, the same advice was also given to the Government of the Congo and the Government of Uganda. At the meeting, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda echoed my statement. Rwandan president did not say anything at the meeting. It is after his return to Rwanda that we began to hear the words we hear and we continued to hear as of today.

I am really amazed by how they reacted to my advice and what they did. They absolutely overreacted and took my words out of context. My statements were based on my many years experience with the regional matters. We have been meeting in various conferences, and in meetings we talk openly and consult on ways to address problems and issues that occur.
On all the matters that are of common concern, giving advice is the responsibility of all of us. And very often we gave each other advice. Now, how is then that advising each other has become wrong and should be seen as ingenious?

Disagreement and insult! It's not at all the same! Advice is not forced, advice is not a command. One must be willing to accept or to reject. A gentleman would have said: "I disagree with your advice." No need to insult or use abusive or twisted words.

Fellow Citizens;
I would repeatedly say that I, personally, and our Government of Tanzania have no quarrel nor any serious conflict with Rwanda. We would like to maintain good relations with Rwanda.
Maybe Rwandan officials have a beef against us that we do not know. For us we heard a lot words spoken and actions allegedly by Rwanda against me and our country. We considers these as absurdities."

Relations Between United republic of Tanzania and United States Are Good

In the national address, President Jakaya Kikwete also spend a deal of time on the recent visit by the US President Barack Obama (see our article here). He praised the good relations between the United States and the United Republic of Tanzania:

"Fellow Citizens;
During his visit, President Obama emphasized his commitment and that of his government to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between our countries. He expressed satisfaction with the steps we have taken in our country to promote democracy and good governance and to invest in the development of our people. He promised to continue to support our efforts. To that end, he has promised to increase financial and technical aid in health, education, agriculture, roads, energy and youth development. He also confirmed that our country will continue to benefit from the funding of the second phase of the Millennium Challenge Fund. During this phase, our areas of priority are electricity and transportation infrastructure. Talks on the projects to be implemented in this phase are going well."

Comments

Africa Realities Media offre un espace aux écrivains, chercheurs, experts, activistes, voix communautaires, militants, analystes et personnes ayant une expérience vécue qui souhaitent contribuer à des contenus réfléchis, responsables et courageux sur les changements nécessaires dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les réalités politiques, économiques, culturelles et sociales africaines souvent ignorées, minimisées ou mal représentées. Nos articles et vidéos visent à ouvrir le débat, renforcer la sensibilisation, encourager la pensée critique et favoriser une réflexion plus profonde sur les réalités vécues par les populations africaines. Nous voulons aider les peuples de la région des Grands Lacs à mieux comprendre leurs droits, notamment leurs droits humains, leur droit au développement, leur droit à la dignité, à la sécurité, au bien-être et à une vie meilleure. À travers nos contenus, nous cherchons également à rappeler aux décideurs, aux institutions publiques, aux acteurs régionaux et internationaux, ainsi qu’aux responsables politiques, leur devoir de transparence, de responsabilité et de redevabilité envers les populations qu’ils prétendent servir. Notre objectif est de contribuer à une culture de vérité, de justice, de participation citoyenne et de protection égale pour tous les peuples africains.

Why Africa Realities Media Is Different

Africa Realities Media speaks to Africa and to the developed world. Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states and ruling elites, but they are often protected by international silence, lobbying, public relations, trade interests, migration deals and unequal global accountability. While governments pay lobbyists to present a good image abroad, ordinary African people continue to face violence, hunger, disease, poverty, repression and exclusion. We challenge the normalisation of African suffering and demand equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.

Pourquoi Africa Realities Media est différent?

Africa Realities Media s’adresse à l’Afrique et au monde développé. De nombreux abus subis par les peuples africains sont commis par des États africains et des élites dirigeantes, mais ils sont souvent protégés par le silence international, le lobbying, les relations publiques, les intérêts commerciaux, les accords migratoires et une responsabilité mondiale inégale. Tandis que des gouvernements paient des lobbyistes pour présenter une bonne image à l’étranger, des Africains ordinaires continuent de faire face à la violence, à la faim, aux maladies, à la pauvreté, à la répression et à l’exclusion. Nous contestons la normalisation de la souffrance africaine et exigeons une vérité égale, une justice égale et une protection égale.

Exposing Injustice in Africa

Africa Realities Media is an independent African accountability platform based in London. We report, analyse and challenge the systems that shape African suffering, silence African victims and protect abusive power. We are not here to repeat diplomatic language. We are here to ask the questions that are often avoided: why are African deaths treated as normal? Why are African victims given less urgency? Why are governments that imprison, exclude, displace or kill their own people protected when they serve powerful international interests?

Africa Realities Media gives space to writers, researchers, experts, activists, community voices, campaigners, analysts and people with lived experience who want to contribute thoughtful, responsible and courageous content about the changes needed in the region, as well as the political, economic, cultural and social African realities that are often ignored, minimised or misrepresented. Our articles and videos aim to encourage debate, raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking and support reflection. We seek to help people in the Great Lakes Region understand their rights to human rights, development and wellbeing, while also encouraging decision-makers to be more transparent, responsive and accountable.

Appel à contributions

Sensibilisez le public aux causes qui vous tiennent à cœur. Prenez part au changement que vous souhaitez voir émerger. Aidez à combattre l'injustice partout où elle se manifeste.

Africa Realities Media accueille des articles originaux, analyses, tribunes, réflexions communautaires et commentaires fondés sur des faits concernant la région des Grands Lacs africains, ainsi que les questions liées à la justice, aux droits humains, à la gouvernance, aux conflits, à la paix, aux réfugiés, aux ressources naturelles et à la responsabilité publique en Afrique.

Nous accueillons également les annonces concernant de nouvelles ou d'anciennes publications liées à nos domaines d'intérêt. Vous pouvez annoncer gratuitement votre publication, notamment un livre, un rapport, une étude, un article académique ou tout autre travail pertinent.

Les articles doivent être rédigés en anglais ou en français et ne doivent pas dépasser 1 500 mots.

Veuillez inclure le nom complet de l'auteur, qui sera publié avec l'article s'il est accepté.

Avant de soumettre votre article, veuillez d'abord lire nos pages du site web afin de vérifier si votre article correspond à nos priorités éditoriales, à nos thèmes et à nos domaines d'intérêt.

Si vous avez un article, un commentaire ou une annonce de publication à partager avec un public plus large, veuillez l'envoyer par email à :

africarealitiesmedia@gmail.com

Nous étudierons la possibilité de publier gratuitement les articles et annonces de publications appropriés s'ils répondent à nos critères éditoriaux, notamment la pertinence, la clarté, l'originalité, l'intérêt public, le respect des communautés concernées et l'utilisation responsable des informations et des preuves.

Les articles sont publiés tels qu'ils sont soumis s'ils répondent à nos critères et à notre politique éditoriale. Nous ne procédons pas à une modification supplémentaire de votre article avant sa publication.

Africa Realities Media | African Human Rights and Accountability

Search This Blog

About Africa Realities Media

Latest Analysis

Category Posts