Arusha — President Jakaya Kikwete has assured Arusha residents and the rest of Tanzanians that despite the newly signed EA common market protocol there should be no concern about land being taken by foreigners.

"We have agreed among the heads of state that despite freedom of movement among our people, the issue of land ownership will still be subject to the governing laws of each country," stated Kikwete at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha, during the climax of ceremonies to mark the 10th Anniversary of the East African Community last Friday

Mr. Kikwete, who is now the new chairman of the East African Summit of the heads of state, admitted that Tanzanians were especially sensitive to matters regarding land ownership and expressed gratitude to leaders of the remaining four countries Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi for being accommodating in this matter and letting the issue of land remain in the mandate of each state.

"We have also agreed during our earlier meeting today (on Friday) that despite the signed common market protocol, a member state should decide in which area it is comfortable to invite other EA member states to participate in and the countries will not be forced to accommodate others in areas they deem sensitive," added Kikwete amid cheers from thousands of residents.

He did however remind Tanzanians that they have nothing to fear on the issue as all signs indicate that the country will not be swallowed by other EA member states as it has been speculated.

"Tanzania's exports to other East African countries rose from US $48 million at the turn of the new millennium in 2000 to more than US $353 million as of last year," he said. He added that even business between Tanzania and Kenya is favoring the former.

He concluded, "We have trade surplus with Kenya, which means Tanzania has of late has been exporting more to Kenya than Kenya has and therefore the fears that we are going to end up as market for the country's products are unfounded".

Land has been the most sensitive areas to Tanzanians as they join the common market agreement as the rest of the member states are either over populated or the limited arable land they have is in the hands of a few capitalists or feudal lords.

According to Tanzanian laws foreigners, whether East Africans or not, are not allowed to own land but it could be leased to them when cleared after meeting conditions as investors through the Tanzania Investment Center.