The Oxford dictionary defines the term xenophobia as "hatred or fear of foreigners."

There is a new wave of xenophobia that is slowly creeping into the East African region that if not nipped in the bud, could undermine the ongoing efforts at political federation, the much cherished goal of our region.

The timing of this xenophobia is unfortunate. It has come at a time when the leaders of East Africa have just launched the fast-tracking of the political federation. What is worrying is that at the official level, not much has come out by way of condemnation of these regrettable acts.

Xenophobia should not just be viewed as a dislike or fear of foreigners. It is a form of violence. People get killed and property destroyed. In recent months, thousands of Rwandans have been expelled from Tanzania where, as minorities, they have lived in harmony with locals since the 1930s.

This is a time long enough for any foreigner to be accepted as a bona-fide resident. The fact, however, is that the Rwandans returned home under harrowing conditions and dirt poor. Stories abound of their mistreatment and loss of property.

A Tanzanian friend recently confessed that he could not understand why his countrymen were rushing into a political union, when Tanzanians cannot even resolve their Union problems with Zanzibar.

Unfortunately, he concluded that "it is premature to have political integration among the East African countries."

This contradicts the mood of euphoria among the political elite, who seem to think that the process of political federation is unstoppable.

A Tanzanian website, www.habarizatanzania.com , is getting xenophobic in its postings on issues of foreigners in Tanzania. Its message is that Tanzania is for Tanganyikans only.

President Jakaya Kikwete seems to have discovered early on that some of his people are not so convinced about the political federation project when he recently remarked that "Tanzanians have no reason to fear because the current political environment in the world and especially in East Africa is different from that which prevailed when the East African community collapsed in 1977."

At a time when the political federation is entering a crucial stage, efforts must be marshalled to neutralise those with xenophobic tendencies in the region.

Oscar Kimanuka is a commentator on social and economic issues based in Kigali. Email: oscar_kim2000@yahoo.co.uk

Source: The East African