EDITORIAL: Vans, flights ‘war’ is over; It shouldn’t happen again!

>President Jakaya Kikwete and his Kenyan counterpart, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, have resolved the dispute between the two countries, which had its roots in Kenya’s decision to ban Tanzania-registered vehicles from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.

Even after the education sector was reported to have excelled in the 2013-2014 Big Results Now drive, the annual report at the beginning of the year suggests that things are not as bright as the information presented at political rallies. Real improvement is to be found in only a few areas, it seems.

The distance between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, for instance, is just 670km, yet a return ticket between the two cities costs some $600 (Sh1,008,000). 

>The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes Aids (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) continues to ravage the world, 33 years after it was diagnosed in the US.

>The virus that causes the killer Aids is still ravaging humankind around the world. Tanzanians are not an exception. Diagnosed first in 1993 in the United States, Aids has eluded a cure to date. Over time, though, immense progress has been made in the war against it.

Reports on corruption and other dirty tricks during the primaries are very disturbing. From all corners of the country, incidents indicating there are many aspirants who are out to win through unethical means shows we are a country treading on treacherous ground, for it is a sign we could end up getting leaders who will have won office by virtual of their money and not the ballot.

>The government yesterday pleaded with Tanzanians, tour operators, and tourists, in particular, to remain calm as it seeks negotiations with Kenya on the fate of Tanzanian tourist vehicles to access Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

>Kenya yesterday lifted the ban it slapped on tourism vans shuttling between Arusha and Nairobi through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), pending a review of a bilateral agreement signed in 1985.

The Nigerian interior minister says he is confident the fight against Boko Haram will be successful enough to allow postponed elections to go ahead.