Spats between Tanzania and Kenya earlier this year – incidentally still to be comprehensively resolved as the envisaged meeting at the end of April by delegations of the two countries was inexplicably postponed “sine die” – have exposed the soft legislative underbelly of East African Community (EAC) members. Already in effect is the customs protocol and the relevant laws of that element in the East African Community which appears to have been in contradiction to sections of national tourism laws that were used to hit at neighbors.
It is understood that the most recent meeting of EAC ministers, therefore, resolved to have national tourism laws brought in line with EAC legislation superseding such national laws to avoid future disputes and ensure that existing and ratified protocols no longer be violated with the impunity shown in late 2014 and then again in early 2015.
The tourism private sectors in fact are now pushing for the bilateral meeting to take place and discuss an extensive agenda listing controversial issues from both sides to seek lasting solutions to problems and bring the sectors together in cooperation rather than divide them at the expense of both losing out.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Already in effect is the customs protocol and the relevant laws of that element in the East African Community which appears to have been in contradiction to sections of national tourism laws that were used to hit at neighbors.
- It is understood that the most recent meeting of EAC ministers, therefore, resolved to have national tourism laws brought in line with EAC legislation superseding such national laws to avoid future disputes and ensure that existing and ratified protocols no longer be violated with the impunity shown in late 2014 and then again in early 2015.
- The tourism private sectors in fact are now pushing for the bilateral meeting to take place and discuss an extensive agenda listing controversial issues from both sides to seek lasting solutions to problems and bring the sectors together in cooperation rather than divide them at the expense of both losing out.
