Transporters and vehicle owners operating in the East African region have threatened mass action in response to Tanzania’s controversial ban on foreign nationals holding key jobs within its territory.
In a statement, the transporters issued several demands, including calling on the East African Community (EAC) and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to intervene in the matter.
The transporters, particularly those in the tourism sector, argued that Tanzania’s decision to prohibit Kenyan nationals from holding jobs in various sectors not only threatened their livelihoods but also undermined the principles of regional integration.
“Transporters, especially in the tourism industry, are more than just drivers—they are cultural ambassadors and guides who embody the true essence of regional integration. Cross-border tour services are crucial in promoting intra-African travel, and they rely on seamless cooperation between member states,” their statement read.
“Banning Kenyan personnel from such roles is not only unjust but also blatantly violates the EAC Treaty, the Common Market Protocol, and principles upheld by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), all of which promote the free movement of labour, goods, and services.”
Among the transporters’ demands was the immediate reversal of the ban on Kenyan workers. The transporters also suggested formal diplomatic engagement between the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments to come up with a plausible compromise.
To hold the Tanzanian government accountable, the transporters also called for a review of the legality of the ban, especially with the regional agreements within the East African Community (EAC) in mind.
The EAC Secretariat and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have thus been urged to intervene to ensure that the free movement of labour, goods, and services across member states is not compromised by unilateral actions from one of the member countries.
“We demand legal redress, where necessary, to hold accountable any breach of EAC agreements and international trade obligations,” the statement added.
According to the transporters, failure to meet their demands would prompt them to engage in peaceful protests while exploring reciprocal economic measures against Tanzanian interests in Kenya.
A notice dated July 28 and signed by the Minister for Industry and Trade, Selemani Saidi Jafo, the order formally prohibited non-Tanzanian citizens from engaging in a list of 15 specified business activities.
Effectively, individuals without Tanzanian citizenship were banned from applying for or renewing licenses for businesses, including the operation of kiosks or small shops, mobile phone repairs, the operation of gambling machines, the operation of micro and small industries, and small-scale mining, among others.
