Page 25 - Nile Explorer 10 Final-3-FINAL O-WITH NEW ALDO PHO COPY FOR PRINT

Meanwhile, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, the Tundu Lissu takes on
UNCTAD secretary general an interview
a Kenyan newspaper September 10, has
he considers lopsided. He observes that Magufuli in Tanzania polls
criticized the Kenya-US trade deal, which

it will only benefit the latter. He said the
US market was already open for Kenyan
products under the Africa Growth
Opportunity Act (AGOA) that expires
in 2025.

The UNCTAD boss doubts Kenya will
have a market to create in the US under
the planed Free Trade Agreement,
considering it is yet to exhaust existing
market openings under AGOA.
‘’Kenya is currently permitted to export
more than 1,000 items to the US market.
It however exports only textiles and a few
artifacts worth less than $500 million a President John Pombe Magufuli
year. It should address production and
not market,’’ Kituyi said. anzania head to a presidential motivated” attack, has also announced
Telection October 28, as the date his intention to run.
Adding that, Kenya should work towards for the countries highly anticipated The opposition has been calling for the
producing more competitive products presidential election. the election formation of an independent electoral
for the US market instead of tying itself campaign have been running since commission, expressing fears the
to conditional market agreements that August 26 to October 27, with all elections is taking place in a climate of
violence and intimidation. Magufuli has
give much leeway to the US. COVID-19 protocols nowhere to be
observed. The country will also vote pledged “free and fair” polls.
He said one of the proposals sent to the on the same day to elect members of It is however, now too late for any
meaningful action on the commission,
US Congress is seeking the abolition of parliament and local councillors. which is midstream in the preparation
President John Pombe Magufuli who will
import duty on agricultural exports to be defending his seat for second term, for the polls.
Kenya, an aspect that is likely to erode dismissed the coronavirus pandemic Magufuli, who was elected in 2015
the local market. as a non-issue, asking the citizenry to promising to crack down on corruption
go on with their daily lives as usual. and expand the country’s road and
He asked the Kenyan delegation on FTA The East African country has since not railway network, is accused of infringing
to effectively represent the country by been publishing any data on the virus, on freedoms, human rights and
balancing national interest with the placing the neighbouring countries in a increasing becoming authoritarian.
Since his coming to office, newspapers
trade-off. ‘’How can I have an agreement dilemma, how to engage or do business have been shut down, and the work of
where my offensive interests are across the borders. non-governmental organizations has
economically more beneficial than the Opposition politicians and critics in been severely restricted, with rights
have accused authorities of covering
cost I incur on my defensive interest?’’ up the true extent of the coronavirus groups and opposition parties accusing
Kituyi asked. pandemic in the country. Magufuli’s government of curbing
human rights. The government has
President John Magufuli who is seeking
He advised that Kenya should consider re-election after being nominated denied seeking to stifle dissent.
going with the rest of the continent to earlier in August as the candidate of Tanzania has not updated its number
of virus cases since late April, when
the negotiation table with the US on the the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi Magufuli declared COVID-19 had been
renewal of Agoa as there was power in (CCM) party, will be running against defeated. The president recommends
numbers. Chadema’s Tundu Lissu, who was prayer, exercise and herbal medicines as
nominated on his return from Belgium the best ways to fight the pandemic, but
The African Union had also earlier on, where he had gone for specialized also reminds Tanzanians to wash their
criticized Kenya for going alone despite treatment following a shooting incident hands regularly.
active efforts to set up the African outside his home. Magufuli reiterated claims that Tanzania
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Lissu is the Deputy Chairman of has no COVID-19 patients, and urged
Chadema, which is the main opposition
According to Albert Muchanga, AU’s party in the country. Party leader international tourists to visit the East
African country. “That’s why we are all
commissioner for Trade, AfCTA would Freeman Mbowe, who was hospitalized, not wearing face masks here. You think
be the preferred vehicle for a continent- last month with a broken leg after his we don’t fear dying? It’s because there is
wide trade deal with the US. party said he was beaten in a “politically- no COVID-19,” he said.

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