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It was a continental gathering intended to connect and improve the technological ecosystem of Africa. However, when the organizers of the AfriLabs Gathering meeting arrived in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam two days before the start of the conference, on October 11, they faced a problem: new visa rules preventing participants from some African countries to attend.
Tanzania applies an arrival visa policy for many African states, but has recently changed the rules for some countries. These include citizens of Ethiopia, Djibouti and Nigeria, who previously did not need to apply for a visa, but who have to do it at least three months before their visit.
AfriLabs, which supports 123 innovation centers in 34 African countries, said the issue was "particularly worrying for travelers who were turned back at their country's airport or Dar es Salaam when they arrived." This is the third time this organization has arrived. Annual gathering: previous events were held in Accra, Ghana, and Cairo, Egypt.
After hurry for helpThe organization stated that Tanzanian officials had received a list of all participants and had been "informed" of the issuance of visas to delegates upon their arrival. Even though the conference took place, including an appearance Jakaya Kikwete, former Tanzanian president, does not know immediately how many people from these countries have been denied access to Tanzania. AfriLabs also did not respond immediately to Quartz's requests.
The decision highlights the many ways in which the administration of President John Magufuli is changing Tanzania. Since taking office in 2015, he has cracked down on mainstream and digital media, called for the end of birth control, criticized the presence of pregnant girls in schools and introduced legislation banning the collection and dissemination of independent data. When it comes to traveling, Magufuli himself avoids major global meetings, including the UN General Assembly, claiming that this decision was aimed at saving money for the coffers of the United Nations. # 39; State.
But more than anything, the new visa regime has highlighted the difficulties of traveling across Africa as an African.
Yet Magufuli's government faces the growing trend of improving transparency among African countries, making it easier for African nationals. Several countries, including Rwanda, Ghana and Ethiopia this week, have introduced visa entry or no visa for African citizens. But that does not replace the fact that the continent still has some of the least powerful passports in the world. Inter-African travel is still hampered by high fares and strict visa regulations. For example, Americans or Europeans visiting Tanzania can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport with relative ease.
Some social media users from affected countries reacted with consternation, with some saying that they were cancel their vacation plans in Tanzania. "Africans seem badly welcomed everywhere, starting with our own continent", Rebecca Enonchong, Chair of AfriLabs' Board of Directors, m said on Twitter "How can we cry when Western countries refuse visas but still refuse entry into our country?"
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