Tanzania reversed the ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa two days after the East African nation imposed the restriction, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements and hopes for a long-term resolution.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture said that the ban, which had taken effect on Wednesday, was lifted effective Saturday, after Malawi and South Africa sought dialogue and cooperation.
The initial suspension was triggered by what Tanzanian authorities viewed as unjustified restrictions by both countries on the entry of Tanzanian agricultural produce into their markets. Tanzania responded by halting imports and transit of agricultural goods from both nations.
Following the diplomatic standoff, the governments of Malawi and South Africa initiated contact with Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, expressing their readiness to resolve the issue through mutual dialogue, according to the notice.
The Ministry of Agriculture said that the government of Malawi will dispatch a high-level delegation to Dodoma next week for discussions.
The notice also said that discussions are held at the technical level in South Africa involving officials from the two countries.
