Let’s cherish unity

ZANZIBAR marked a great day on Friday, with the anniversary of 60 years of Revolution that changed the lives of the people.

The day was not only marked by Zanzibaris, but Tanzanians, fellow East African Community (EAC) member countries and the world at large.

Main messages for the day were congratulatory ones for Zanzibar in its anniversary, onUnion with Tanganyika forming the United Republic of Tanzania and the unity culture that has been cultivated by the founding fathers of Tanzania, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume.

Further, there were messages regarding Pan Africanism and the integration spirit that was spearheaded by Mwalimu Nyerere and Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, among others.

As President Samia Suluhu Hassan put it, Zanzibar’s revolutionary journey has just begun, hence the need for commitment of both the Zanzibar and Tanzania governments to creating a favourable environment for a successful future.

There is optimism about the transformative path that lies ahead for the people of Zanzibar and the 60th anniversary was celebrated while on a good journey of development.

Development is not a solitary path; it is a collective endeavour that necessitates the dedication and hard work of every citizen, cognisant of the history, appreciate where Tanzanians and fellow Africans come from and strive for the goals set.

Much was stressed about unity, working together and need for real integration by the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni who emphasised the paramount importance of unity among African nations for the continent’s development.

Fostering unity creates a broader market for African countries, facilitating the exchange of goods and services and this enhances competition, boost production and ultimately contribute to self-sufficiency across the continent.

One of the important characteristics of evolving integration is the marked increase in output and trade. Rapid integration has led to significant economic expansion, notably in industrialised countries, but also in developing countries with outward-oriented economic and trade policies.

It is well known and empirically documented that the rapid expansion in trade occurred in response to countries’ increasing acceptance of openness. Other major contributing factors include the decrease in the unit costs of transport and information technology, including telecommunications; and the globalisation of production, with industries moving to areas offering opportunities for lower production cost.

By increasing trade and investment, economic cooperation and regional integration create opportunities to reap the gains from globalisation.

For Africa, a region characterised by small and balkanised states and markets, economic cooperation and regional integration have the potential to create an expanded and unified market, diversify the economic base, and increase competitiveness in the global market. Open regionalism, with expanding regional trading blocs coexisting alongside the global integration of markets, has spurred growth and development in many parts of the world. Let us all cherish the spirit of unity and integration for the benefits of the nations and their people.