Tanzania envoy warns Africa risks bearing global conflict burden without unity

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Tanzania High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli has warned that Africa will continue to bear the burden of conflicts beyond its borders if leaders do not pursue collective strength and unity.

He lamented that the current scarcity of fuel in Africa due to the conflict between America and Iran has brought about economic sabotage in Africa.

"Africa is already blessed with many minerals, fuel, and forests, which are resources we can produce to run our economies. But this can only be achieved through unity – if we work as a group," Simuli said.

Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli (centre), the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Uganda, is doing exercises with Tanzanians living in Uganda during the country’s Union Day. (Photo By Jovita Mirembe)

Tanzanians living in Uganda were led by a band while marching on the streets of Kampala. (Photo by Jovita Mirembe)

He was speaking at the Tanzania Union Day celebrations on April 26 at the High Commission in Kampala. Tanzanians living in Uganda celebrated the event commemorating the 1964 union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, creating a single nation - the United Republic of Tanzania.

“Unity means strength in leadership, which Tanganyika and Zanzibar chose and have kept Tanzania strong. Africa must take the same direction to push for regional integration,” Simuli said. 

He praised the leaders behind the East Africa crude oil pipeline infrastructure project and the standard gauge railway that will connect countries in the region, saying they are key drivers of integration.

The Executive Secretary of the Tanzanian Union in Uganda, Steven Kajuna, noted that limited movement at some border points is hindering business activities. He urged leaders to work to ease the process so as to champion unity and development.