Tanzania-Rwanda relations may worsen - MPs
IPPmedia - 12 hours ago
BY POLYCARP MACHIRA
31st May 2014
Photo: Ezekiel Wenje
A war of words between Tanzania and Rwanda may soon resurface as the
parliament was this week dragged into discussing tension between
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Relations between Tanzania and Rwanda took a plunge in May 2013
following President Jakaya Kikwete's appeal to Rwanda to engage FDRL
rebels in talks.
Media reported that Kikwete's suggestion at a meeting of the Great
Lakes countries, which met on the sidelines of the African Union
summit in Addis Ababa, did not go down well with Rwandan President
Paul Kagame. Rwandan government links the FDLR with the 1994 genocide,
in which over 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were
killed.
M23, which dominated the North Kivu Province since the end of the
Second Congo War in 2003 before it was defeated last year by a joint
force from Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi, is a reincarnation of
the National Congress for Defence of the People.
In April, 2012 up to 700 former CNDP soldiers mutinied against the DRC
government that was being supported by the peacekeeping contingent of
the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco).
The debate about Rwanda and the DRC featured in Tanzanian parliament
mid this week during the ongoing budget session.
Presenting the Opposition's statement to the ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation's 2014/ 2015 budget estimates
shadow minister, Ezekiel Wenje accused Foreign Affairs minister Mr
Benard Membe for causing diplomatic tensions between the two
countries.
He accused the minister of uttering inflammatory words against Rwanda
instead of using diplomatic language and refraining from interfering
in other country's affairs.
Wenje, who is also the Nyamagana MP, earlier told Parliament that
Membe's remarks on the BBC's Focus on Africa programme had worsened
the fragile relations between Tanzania and Rwanda.
He said such comments could only heighten confusion and anger among
ordinary citizens of the two countries. The shadow minister claimed
that Membe said Rwanda had exported insecurity and instability to
eastern DRC after sending rebels into country.
He said the minister made inaccurate statement. But in response Membe
hit back when responding to MPs' views, accusing the shadow minister
of acting on behalf of a foreign country.
He stood his ground, saying what he said was the truth, which had even
been documented by UN experts. Membe said Tanzania was playing a key
role in finding lasting peace in the Great Lakes Region.
Winding up debate on his ministry's 2014/15 budget proposals in
Parliament, Membe offered to resign if Wenje would provide documentary
proof that he was wrong when he said last September that the
Banyamulenge in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were ethnic
Tutsis originating from Rwanda.
"This is a fact that cannot be denied," he said.
He said the Banyamulenge, who formed the M23 rebel group that fought
the DRC government for a number of years, were Tutsis originating from
Rwanda, while members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of
Rwanda (FDLR) were Rwandans, who fled to eastern DRC after the 1994
genocide.
"When I told BBC that Rwandans were causing instability in Eastern
Congo, I meant what I said...it's the UN's group of experts that
originally accused Rwanda, not me," Membe told Parliament.
He admitted that relations between Tanzania and Rwanda were strained,
but added that "opportunists" had taken advantage of the situation to
fuel diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Some members of parliament who talked to The Guardian here expressed
fear that Rwandan government may react to the debate that took place
in the parliament, causing heated debate among legislators.
Maswa West Member of Parliament, John Shibuda (Chadema) noted that it
was wrong for the parliament to dwell so much on discussing other
countries knowing the relations between Tanzania and Rwanda are
delicate.
"I know that Rwandans might hit back to this discussion as they have
always done mainly through the media" he said. He blamed the
government for making such a strong statement on Rwanda.
His sentiments were echoed by Bariadi West Member of Parliament, John
Cheyo (UDP) who also noted that the debate went a little bit off the
truck and may have diplomatic consequences.
He said Tanzania has played a very important role in enforcing peace
within the region and the continent at large, thus should refrain from
anything that can blemish its image in the international community.
The Nyamagana Member of Parliament, Ezekiel Wenje while speaking with
The Guardian at the parliament grounds maintained that it was wrong
for Tanzania to have such position against a neighbouring country,
saying the strained relationship might continue.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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