THE maiden state visit that Rwandan President Paul Kagame made recently in Tanzania has won hearts and minds of a crosssection of people, including politicians, academicians and human rights groups - all describing the tiny but economically vibrant country as a role model.
Interviewed by the ‘Sunday News’ in Dar
es Salaam yesterday, they all said that the visit by Rwandan leader
would cement diplomatic ties and set a strong foundation for trade
relations between the two countries.
They added that since Tanzania and
Rwanda are developing countries, they need each other in terms of
exchanging skills and learning how to properly utilise resources.
Senior University of Dar es Salaam
(UDSM) Lecturer, Dr Benson Bana, said Rwanda has registered good
performance in promoting education, fighting corruption, improving the
living standards of ordinary citizens and reviving state-owned
organisations.
He stressed that there was no need for
Tanzanian or Rwandan leaders to travel to Western countries to learn
something that could be easily be shared within the East African region.
“I think we have got some good examples within our region.
RwandaAir, is one of the state-owned
organisations that are performing very well. I think Tanzania could
learn a lot in that area,” he pointed out. He added that since President
John Magufuli has demonstrated a learning strategy in his leadership,
it is obvious his government will make a positive step by learning from
its neighbours.
The political scientist added that
President Kagame’s visit has had both positive diplomatic and trade
impact to both Kigali and Dar es Salaam since it has assured traders of
the existence of political goodwill and good relations between the two
countries.
Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
Executive Director, Dr Helen Kijo Bisimba, said Rwanda was among the top
10 out of 142 countries that have achieved much in closing the gender
gap.
She said being close to Rwanda meant
Tanzanian leaders and ordinary citizens can learn a lot on issues
related to gender balance and equality.
Dr Bisimba, a human right activist, said
President Kagame’s visit has cemented the good bilateral relations
between Tanzania and Rwanda and that it would be easier for Tanzanians
to establish businesses in Rwanda and vice-versa.
“It is obvious that President Kagame’s
visit to Tanzania has opened door to both Tanzania and Rwandan traders.
There is no doubt that the two countries are in good relations.
Therefore, it is easier for other social and economic activities to
prosper,” said Dr Bisimba.
Another political analyst, Mr Deus
Kibamba, said he perceives President Kagame’s visit to Tanzania in a
very positive way because development ties start by building up strong
and reliable diplomatic relationships.
“President Kagame on Friday officially
opened Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF). This is a big
thing that sends a message that trade relations between Rwanda and
Tanzania are more intact now than before.
Therefore, traders from both sides are
invited to utilise the opportunity for the mutual development of our
countries,” he observed. He said good diplomatic relationship sets a
strong foundation for potential joint development programmes in future.
“Any joint development programme is an
outcome of good relations; so we should expect more programme between
Tanzania and Rwanda,” he commented.
An assistant lecturer at the University
of Dodoma (UDOM), Mr Paul Loisulie, said President Kagame’s trip to
Tanzania was basically planned to establish good rapport for the two
countries’ economic development.
“It is an undeniable fact that Tanzania
is strategically placed in terms of geographical position and abundant
resources. Therefore, President Kagame is aware of the impact of good
relations between his country and Tanzania.
His focus is on a winwin situation
business,” noted Mr Loisulie. He added that President Magufuli and
President Kagame share some things in common such as aggressiveness on
the fight against corruption and improving the lives of the people.
“One of the immediate benefits of his
trip to his country Rwanda is the invitation of Rwanda experts to come
to Tanzania to improve revenue collection systems. I think this is a way
to go. We must learn from one another,” he observed.
President Kagame and his delegation
arrived in the country on Friday for a two-day state visit. He pledged
to assist the country with ICT experts, an area in which his country has
made great strides.
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