Samia Suluhu, the President of Tanzania. Photo | Courtesy.
Tanzania has lifted a ban on imports of agricultural produce from Malawi and South Africa, days after imposing the restrictions in response to similar measures by the two southern African nations.
Joseph Ndunguru, Director General of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), announced late on Friday that the ban was being lifted with immediate effect to allow for a diplomatic ministerial discussion.
He noted that both Malawi and South Africa had reached out to Tanzania, seeking to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
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Earlier this week, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture had announced a sweeping ban on imports of agricultural products from the two countries and halted exports of Tanzanian fertilizer to Malawi a critical resource for Malawian farmers. The fertilizer export ban has also been rescinded.
Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa are all members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic bloc.
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, welcomed Tanzania’s decision, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy.
“This outcome demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges. Cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities,” Lamola said in a statement.
The dispute had flared after Malawi imposed a ban on Tanzanian agricultural commodities, including maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas. South Africa had similarly blocked imports of Tanzanian bananas.
