Kenya and Tanzania have committed to resolving the ongoing feud between their respective airlines within the next three days. The conflict arose after Tanzania decided to ban all flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, effective January 22, 2024, in retaliation to Kenya’s refusal to permit cargo flights by Air Tanzania.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) announced the suspension of Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger flights on Monday, citing a reciprocal dispute based on Kenya’s denial of cargo flight operations for Air Tanzania. According to the TCAA, this decision was contrary to the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services signed between the two nations in 2016.
In response to the escalating situation, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, engaged in discussions with Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation, January Makamba. They jointly declared that their respective Civil Aviation Authorities would collaborate to amicably resolve the matter within the next three days.
Mudavadi emphasized that there is no cause for alarm, and both nations are committed to finding a diplomatic solution. The airlines involved, Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania, have also initiated discussions with civil aviation authorities and relevant government agencies to prevent flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
This incident is not the first time Tanzania has banned Kenya Airways, indicating a deepening conflict between the two neighboring countries. The recent decision comes amid growing tensions within the East African region, including a lawsuit filed by Uganda against Kenya over a petroleum products import agreement and the severance of relations between Burundi and Rwanda.
As East African nations grapple with various disputes, the East African Community (EAC) has intervened to facilitate peaceful resolutions. The EAC secretary-general emphasized the importance of harmonious cooperation among partner states and urged adherence to existing dispute resolution mechanisms to maintain the integrity and sovereignty of member states.
This regional turmoil adds complexity to an already challenging geopolitical landscape in East Africa, with existing disputes between Somalia and Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo shutting its border with Rwanda over M23 rebels, and other diplomatic challenges.
