This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
Published on May 9, 2020, a standoff between truck drivers and border control officials at different East African Community (EAC) crossing points has paralyzed movement of goods within the region, raising the possibility of severe shortages of supplies in the coming weeks.
The standoff, caused by EAC member countries' failure to agree on how to stop the regional spread of COVID-19, has created massive traffic jams at border control gates of member countries as truck drivers boycotted work to protest against perceived mistreatment.
Uganda and Rwanda have accused Tanzanian and Kenyan drivers of spreading the deadly virus to their countries, watering down their efforts to control the pandemic through strict restrictions of movement and public gatherings of their own nationals.
However, Tanzania and Kenyan drivers have opposed proposals for fumigation of trucks and a changeover of crew (relay driving) at the borders or offloading of cargo at crossing points.
Truck owners have suspended transport of goods to Kigali, citing strict measures put by the Rwanda Revenue Authority as well as fears over security and safety of drivers and their cargo.
"We suspended ferrying Rwandan cargo until the Rwanda government eases measures which are against the EAC protocol for free movement of goods especially during this COVID-19 pandemic," said Mercy Ireri, the Kenya Transporters Association chief operating officer.
Kenyan truck drivers have been directed to the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole, and are not allowed to access the country beyond that point.
Kenya has reported the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the region, with 621 cases followed by Tanzania (509), Rwanda (273), Uganda (114), Burundi (19), and South Sudan (120).
Despite the EAC issuing administrative directives for uniform implementation of measures to allow free movement of cargo, implementation bottlenecks persist.
Rwanda is only allowing in trucks that have changed crew at its Rusumo and Kagitumba Customs border posts.
Kenya has announced that cargo drivers must be tested at least 48 hours before travel and issued with a COVID-19 free certificate before loading cargo in Mombasa.
