A normally busy border crossing between Tanzania and Malawi was noticeably quieter on Thursday due to an escalating regional trade dispute.
From midnight, Tanzania imposed a ban on all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa in response to what it views as restrictions placed on its own exports. For years, South Africa has blocked the entry of bananas from Tanzania, while Malawi recently announced a ban on several Tanzanian products, including flour, rice, ginger, bananas, and maize.
Hussein Bashe, Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, verified the embargo on Wednesday, stating, “We are taking this move to defend our commercial interests. Mutual respect is absolutely vital in business.
Though Bashe said new talks were still running, diplomatic attempts to settle the trade dispute had so far been unsuccessful.
Launched four years ago, a continent-wide free-trade zone makes this conflict especially relevant as Africa works toward more free commerce.
South Africa’s exports to Tanzania, especially apples and grapes, are now impacted. On the other hand, landlocked Malawi, which relies on Tanzanian ports to export commodities including tobacco, sugar, and soybeans, would now have to look for other paths for its products.
Initially presented as a temporary action meant to safeguard local businesses, Malawi’s March announcement of a restriction on importation of particular produce was framed as such. Malawi’s Trade Minister, Vitumbiko Mumba, remarked at the time, “This is a strategic measure to help local businesses thrive without the pressure of foreign competition.”
But, according to Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Bashe, Malawi’s prohibition hurt Tanzanian merchants directly; he called the limitations “unfair and harmful.”
Bashe assured the Tanzanian people that food security would not be affected even with the import prohibition. “A lack of South African grapes or apples will not cause any Tanzanian to go without food. We are acting in this way to safeguard Tanzanian interests,” he said.
Neither Malawi nor South Africa has spoken out officially on Tanzania’s choice.
On Thursday, the Tanzanian side of the Kasumulu border crossing which handles most of Tanzania-Malawi trade saw only a few trucks transporting fuel. Under normal conditions, truckers contacted by the BBC said more than 15 trucks loaded with agricultural products would traverse this border.
Many trucks lying empty on the Malawian side would usually carry bananas and tomatoes across Tanzania. The drivers are now rushing to locate substitute items to carry. It’s been terrible for them since they’re used to carrying agricultural commodities, and now they can’t even move bananas, tomatoes, corn, or potatoes,” said Happy Zulu, a local businessperson.
Already trade with Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa all SADC members, a regional political, security, and economic organization has been disturbed. Bashe posted a video on social media last Saturday showing a truck loaded with decaying bananas stuck at the border with Malawi, voicing his anger at the continuing state of affairs.
