afrol News, 30 September - Tanzanian government has lifted objections on non-Tanzanians from East African Community states to settle in the country under a proposed East Africa Common Market Protocol.

Citizens of other EAC states can now settle in the country as long as they engage in meaningful economic activities or are in employment, EAC officials confirmed in Arusha, Tanzania yesterday.

EAC said decision was made at third round of negotiations for EAC Common Market Protocol in Bujumbura, Burundi.

"It was reached following pressure from other EAC states, especially Kenya and Rwanda, which have consistently advocated for open borders to enhance full economic integration in the region," read EAC communiqué.

EAC spokesperson Magaga Alot said right of residence shall include right to enter and reside in any host partner state.

"Citizens of the EAC who are nationals of other partner states shall have the right of residence in the host partner states for the purposes of seeking and carrying out an economic activity or employment," he said in a statement.

However, he pointed out that Tanzania continued to have its reservations on articles under the Common Market regarding access or acquisition of land by nationals of other partner states.

Deputy minister for East African Cooperation, Mr Mohamed Aboud, said there was nothing unusual in what the country's representatives to the Bujumbura meeting announced.

"In principle, Tanzania has no objection to foreigners working in the country because we are short of doctors, engineers and other experts," he told local newspaper The Citizen, emphasising that Cabinet would have to be briefed about the decision.

"If it is decided that the decision will serve national interests, then that would be fine. If not, it will have to be looked into afresh," Mr Aboud said, adding that government would study implications of decision like other EAC protocols.

Draft protocol suggests that a national of a partner state shall be enabled to acquire or access and use land and buildings situated in the territory of another partner state for purposes of establishment.

Tanzanian government has maintained that the country's land was only accessible to serious investors and not landless people from other countries.

Also agreed on was that partner states abolish all restrictions on the right of establishment based on nationalities of companies, firms and citizens of partner states.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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