Transforming EAC into a political federation unrealistic, says Tanzania’s presidential hopeful January Makamba

 January Makamba

NAIROBI, KENYA: A Tanzanian Deputy Minister angling to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete in the country’s general elections next October, Mr January Makamba, has said it’s unrealistic to fast-track the East African Community (EAC) into a political federation

Makamba, who is Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology in Kikwete’s Government, and a son to former Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Secretary General Mzee Yusuf Makamba, told The Standard on Sunday in Nairobi that current timelines of transforming the EAC into a political federation were unrealistic.

Political federation is the fourth step in the East African Community (EAC) integration process after the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union protocols.

In 2011, a team of experts released a report titled; “Addressing the Fears, Concerns and challenges of the East African Federation” among the five countries and founded out that there were some challenges.

According to the report, which was based on political, economic, cultural and social concerns of citizens from all partner states, concerns were raised about differences in land tenure systems of partner states and loss of land due to free movement and rights of establishment within the bloc.

“A political federation is possible in future and not now. We have to learn from the lessons that led to the collapse of the EAC in 1977 and avoid forcing things because a second failure will be extremely costly,” said Makamba.

Makamba, however, noted that Tanzania was committed to the EAC ideals, and would want to take a leading role in their realisation under an environment of mutual respect among member states.

Influential leader

Makamba, who between 2005 and 2010 served as Kikwete’s Personal Assistant before plunging into parliamentary politics in 2010, is seen as one of the front-runners for the CCM presidential ticket in May 2015, ahead of the October general election that will see Kikwete retire and hand-power to new leadership.

Makamba joined Tanzania’s Foreign Ministry as a Foreign Service Officer in 2003, working directly for President Kikwete, who was then Foreign Minister. Makamba also served as an advisor to Kikwete’s presidential campaign.

Makamba is one of one of the most influential leaders of the CCM. He sits on the Party’s National Executive Committee and was CCM’s Political Affairs and International Relations Secretary in 2011.

He has also been named by Forbes magazine as one of 10 most influential men in Africa in 2014.

“So far we are four candidates seeking the CCM ticket but the number may increase to 10. In 2005, 11 contestants sought the CCM ticket,” explains Makamba.

He says his priorities for Tanzanians, if he secures the country’s leadership, would be to improve the people’s earnings, up-grade social services, boost economic services and instil ethics and honest in governance.

“Having been involved in presidential campaigns earlier, serving in foreign ministry and holding party positions among others, I feel I have the experience required to run for the highest office in Tanzania,” added Makamba.

Makamba urged Kenyan politicians to tone down on politics and serve those who elected them to office.

“We in Tanzania are amazed that in Kenya, every season is a political season, but Kenyans are lucky their economy can withstand all that and continue growing,” said Makamba. He also urged Kenyans to avoid formation of political alliances along ethnic lines, something he says was unheard of in Tanzania.

Makamba, who has been in the country since Friday last week, gave a series of public lectures to young leaders on leadership and integrity as he is a strong believer in nurturing the youth as the continent’s leaders of tomorrow.

He has been credited for fiercely fighting corruption in his country and he is currently spearheading a mobile anti-corruption campaign using the mobile phone technology.