This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
Tanzania: Border Tension Resurfaces Over Covid-19 Certificates ¶
Published on June 5, 2020
Kenyan authorities have started blocking Tanzanian truckers from crossing the Namanga border post, citing a lack of valid Covid-19 clearance certificates. In response, Tanzania has also started restricting Kenyan truckers from accessing the country.
The move is contrary to an agreement reached between transport ministers from the two countries on May 22, which allowed truck crews from both countries to undergo testing before commencing their trips at the point of origin, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
According to Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication Eng Atashasta Nditiye, the Kenyan side's decision was a breach of the agreement and could trigger another dispute. 'Our counterparts are claiming that they don't trust Tanzanian's certificates and laboratories, but this wasn't part of our agreement,' he said.
Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Dr Godwin Mollel, said he was planning to visit the border post to assess the situation. 'I will go to Longido on Monday next week; all we are doing now is to stand by the agreements that were signed as well as the directives from our presidents,' he said.
The annual volume of trade between Tanzania and Kenya is estimated to be more than $500m/-.
