EU TANZANIA NEWS A quarterly newsletter of the Delegation of the European Union in Tanzania September 2011 Ambassador’s Note In this issue EU Condolences over Zanzibar ferry WELCOME to We are also encouraged by the The EU also ran a course to equip tragedy Page 1 another edition of recommencement of the EPA exporters from EAC with skills and our newsletter. As negotiations between EU and knowledge on quality standards for you will see, a lot EAC. We believe a successful accessing the EU market. This was very Tanzania commended for naturalizing of activities and outcome of the negotiations will timely as it was just a few months after refugees Page 2 events have hap- consolidate and strengthen the an inspection mission by EU of Tanza- pened in and EAC regional integration and nian institutions and factories handling around our Dele- promote the competitiveness of fish exports to the EU. EAC-EU EPA negotiations recommence gation. products from the region. We also congratulate one of our part- in Zanzibar Page 3 First, our heartfelt condolences go In another development, the EU ners that we have been supporting to the people of Tanzania who are has granted Tshs. 16 billion to here in Tanzania, TaCRI, for celebrating still struggling to come to terms support rural electrification in its 10th Anniversary. The institute has with the loss of many lives following Tanzania. This comes at a time recorded many achievements in the EU boosts rural electrification in Tanzania past ten years and its future looks even the ferry tragedy in Zanzibar. For when the country is facing regular Page 4 those injured, we wish them a quick load shedding. We believe the brighter! recovery. projects will go miles in enabling the rural populations to get reli- The final article regards the interna- A delegation comprised of EU and able and affordable renewable tional cord of justice: The EU calls on Call for employers to hire people with UNHCR officials recently visited energy for their development. the Tanzanian government to domesti- refugee camps in western Tanzania cate the Rome Statute of the Interna- disabilities Page 5 to assess the status of Congolese The EU and its partners-CCBRT, tional Court of Justice (ICC). Being a and Burundian refugees who are still CEFA and Radar Development role model in the region in the en- in the country. Among other things, have launched two projects aim at forcement of international justice, we the Delegation noted challenges enabling people with disabilities to think the country should make sure faced by the refugees in the process get formal employment. These are that the Rome Statute is domesticated Training for exporters to access EU of returning to their home coun- wonderful initiatives which will and become part of its laws. market Page 6 tries. We believe that these high- surely bring about a big difference lighted challenges will be considered in the lives of people with disabili- Enjoy your reading. during the return exercise. ties in the country. Tim Clarke TaCRI celebrates its 10th Anniversary Page 7 EU sends condolences over Zanzibar ferry tragedy Tanzania urged to domesticate Rome Statute Page 8 THE EU and its member states "We would like to express our in Tanzania have sent condo- deep condolences and sympa- lences to Tanzanian authorities thy to the bereaved families Staff Corner Page 9 following the ferry disaster that and friends, as well as to the claimed over 200 lives. In a joint Governments of the United statement issued to the public Republic of Tanzania and the on September 12, the EU said: People's Revolutionary Gov- Up-coming events Page 10 ernment of Zanzibar." “It is with great sadness and regret that the European Union It concludes “the European and its Member States have Union, as a long and trusted Editorial Team heard of the tragic loss of so partner, stands ready to offer EU flags flying half mast at Umoja many lives as a result of the its support to deal with the House in Dar es Salaam after the government declared three days of Tom Vens capsizing of MV Spice Islander consequences of this terrible national mourning following the off the coast of Zanzibar,” the tragedy.” ferry accident in Zanzibar. Photo: statement said adding: Emmanuel Kihaule Virginie Sirecki Emmanuel Kihaule The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union EU Tanzania News September 2011 Tanzania commended for naturalizing refugees Home, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, has extended the deadline for returning of Burundian refugees to Decem- ber 2012 following recent armed conflicts in their home country. Regarding the Nyarugusu refugees' camp, the delegation noted con- cerns expressed by Congolese refugees about security conditions Children refugees welcoming the delegation. in their country, notably challenges Photo: Tom Vens ahead of the forthcoming elections. Refugees attending a meeting that was attended by the delegation. Photo: Tom Vens sentative to Tanzania, Mr. Oluseyi Mission members were encouraged Bajulaiye assured the refugees of his by recent discussions initiated by agency's determination to help them A DELEGATION of European selected regions of Tanzania. This the Government of Tanzania re- settle in Tanzania. Union Ambassadors to Tanzania exercise will be led by the Prime garding the continuation of facilita- and Burundi and representatives Minister’s Office – Regional Admini- tion of voluntary repatriation to “We are waiting for the Government from the United Nations Refugees' stration and Local Government the DRC. decision on when to start the reloca- Agency (UNHCR) commended (PMO-RALG) with the support from tion. UNHCR will closely follow and Tanzania's decision to naturalise UNHCR and other UN agencies. While hearing the concerns of the monitor your integration into the thousands of refugees from Bu- community and ensuring they country with the support of our rundi. In May this year, a tripartite commis- would have access to appropriate partners,” he assured the newly natu- health and educa- ralized Tanzanians adding: The delegation tion facilities, the visited refugee EU Ambassador “Thanks to our donors, we will en- camps in West- to Tanzania, Tim hance the social services in the re- ern Tanzania Clarke, said; ceiving regions to make sure that the with the objec- local communities will also benefit tive of assessing “Tanzania is at a from your presence.” the situation of crossroads in how Other members of the delegation the refugees in to deal with refu- were Head of the Political Section of camps within the gees, many of whom have been the Delegation of the EU in Tanzania, Kigoma region. Tom Vens, the ECHO team in Bu- hosted by the Government for rundi, Isabelle D’Haudt and Alexis It was led by EU Mangona, the UNHCR Deputy Rep- Ambassadors to four decades. All parties want to resentative to Burundi, Barry Abdou- Burundi and laye, the UNHCR Head of Makamba make the naturali- Tanzania, Stefan office in Burundi, Wella Kouyou, and sation and the de Loecker and the UNHCR Associate External Tim Clarke, and relocation process Relations Officer to Tanzania, Jerome Ambassadors Clarke (left) and de Loecker (right) together with the UNHCR Representative to a real success – a UNHCR's Rep- Tanzania Mr. Bajulaiye (centre) shaking hands at the Nyarugusu refugees' camp. Photo: Jerome Seregni. resentative in Seregni win-win for all, Tanzania, Mr. but no one should The Government of Tanzania was Oluseyi Bajulaiye. sion between the governments of underestimate the challenges represented by Deusdedit Masusu, Tanzania and Burundi, together with ahead.” from the Ministry of Home Affairs It described the Tanzanian govern- UNHCR, agreed to close Mtabila and Swahiba Mndeme, from the Minis- ment’s approach to camp for Burundian On his part, the UNHCR's repre- try of Foreign Affairs. refugees as a refugees by 31 'commendable ges- The delegation described December 2011. ture of generosity that is exemplary in Tanzania Government Under the agree- finding durable solu- ment, the EU will tions for protracted approach to refugees as support UNHCR refugee situations'. ‘a commendable gesture and its partners to facilitate the volun- The Tanzanian Gov- of generosity...’ tary repatriation ernment has granted and the gradual citizenship to integration of these 162,000 former Burundian refugees refugees in their country of origin. who entered the country in the 1970s following armed conflicts in As a result of the mission the EU their former country. and UNHCR will focus on providing suitable conditions in Burundi to The naturalized refugees are ex- promote the return process. pected to relocate Getting explanation from a UNHCR official. Photo:Tom Vens into a number of However, recently Minister of Page 2 EU Tanzania News September 2011 EAC-EU EPA negotiations recommence in Zanzibar THE European Union and East number of inter-session meetings has built its own prosperity on a African Community (EAC) senior at expert level will prepare the model of regional integration, is and technical level negotiators ground. seeking to further strengthen this met mid September in Zanzibar - "We are pleased that the EAC/EU local integration process by main- after a break of 14 months - for EPA negotiations have recom- taining a unified trade regime with Economic Partnership Agreement menced," said Peter Thompson - EAC partner countries through a Peter Thompson negotiations. The meetings made the senior official leading the EU comprehensive EPA. good progress in setting an negotiation team. "Last week's agenda for negotiations over the meetings allowed us to map the A successful outcome of the EPA coming months. areas still remaining to be negoti- negotiations will consolidate and ated. The EU views the compre- strengthen the EAC regional The parties jointly agreed to hensive EPA negotiations as an integration and promote the "We are pleased that make progress in negotiations opportunity to settle outstanding competitiveness of EAC prod- particularly on three fronts - matters - such as agriculture and ucts.