Covid-19 and border restriction policies: the dilemma of trans-border truck drivers in East Africa

https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v1i1.466
Published: Apr 16, 2021

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the challenges that were faced by trans-border truck drivers within the East African Community as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its management protocols.

Research methodology: While adopting the qualitative research method, this paper has used documents including documented interviews and virtual sources for its data. The data have been analyzed using qualitative content analysis through which themes have been generated for discussions.

Results: The EAC member countries should continue to harmonize their health standardization to enable them to enjoy the pursuit and use of OSBP even during pandemics.

Limitations: This paper, however, is limited to the long-distance truck drivers and the management of Covid-19 within the East African Community and does not cover other aspects of Coordinated Border Management in the region.

Contribution: It provides valuable contributions to the need for harmonization and standardization of operations and health measures within the community as a long-term solution to the challenges of coordinated border management within the community in the face of future pandemics and readiness for the single market regime.

Keywords: Truckers, Coordinated border management, Covid-19, East African Community, Relay driving

Keywords:
1. Truckers
2. Coordinated border management
3. Covid-19
4. East African Community
5. Relay driving
Authors:
1 . Calvince Omondi Barack
Lecturer of Political Science and International Relations, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
2 . Gerishon Barack Munga
Graduate Student of Criminology and Social Order, The University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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How to Cite
Barack, C. O., & Munga, G. B. (2021). Covid-19 and border restriction policies: the dilemma of trans-border truck drivers in East Africa. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v1i1.466
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Issue & Section
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2021): January
Articles
References

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  2. Aluga, M. A. (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Kenya: preparedness, response and transmissibility. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection.
  3. Anami, L. (2020, 30 May). Kenya, Uganda scramble to resolve Malaba border crisis. The East African. https://allafrica.com/stories/202005300049.html [Accessed, 12. 08. 2020].
  4. Bearak, M. & and Ombuor, R. (2020, 22 May). At a busy East African border, testing truckers created perfect conditions for coronavirus to spread. The Washington Post.
  5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/05/22/kenya-tanzania-coronavirus-borders/?arc404=true [Accessed, 10. 08. 2020].
  6. Bowman, G. W. (2006). Thinking outside the border: homeland security and the forward deployment of the US border. Houston Law Review, 44 (2): 189-251.
  7. Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. New York: Oxford University Press.
  8. Bwire, V. (2020, 19 May). Stop criminalizing truck drivers in war against Covid-19. Capita News. https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2020/05/stop-criminalising-truck-drivers-in-war-against-Covid-19/ [Accessed, 25. 07. 2020].
  9. Doyle, T. (2011). The future of border management. In G. McLinden, E. Fanta, D. Widdowson & T. Doyle (Eds.). Border management modernization, Washington, DC: IBRD/World Bank.
  10. East African Community. (2016, 15 April). One stop border posts act. Entebbe: Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation.
  11. EAC Secretariat, (2020, 27 April). East African community Covid-19 response plan. Arusha: East African Community.
  12. Gbenga, A. M. (2020, 28 April). Pandemic threatens relations, cross-border transport of goods in EAC. Venture Africa. http://venturesafrica.com/ugandas-central-bank-threatens-cap-on-bank-interest-rates/ [Accessed, 29. 07. 2020].
  13. IOM. (2020, 24 July). Covid-19 testing for truck drivers helps open trade in IOM-TMEA Partnership. International Organization for Migration. https://www.iom.int/news/Covid-19-testing-truck-drivers-helps-open-trade-iom-tmea-partnership. [Accessed, 28.03.2021].
  14. Kabuubi, R. (2020, 2 April). Uganda: respect rights in Covid-19 response. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/02/uganda-respect-rights-Covid-19-response [Accessed, 01. 08. 2020].
  15. Kenya Private Sector Alliance. (2010). OSBP, legal framework for the East African Community. www.kepsa.or.ke/pdfs/EAC_Regional_legal_framework_Jan2010.pdf. [Accessed, 22. 07. 2020].
  16. Kieck, E. (2010). Coordinated border management: unlocking trade opportunities through one-stop border posts. World Customs Journal, 4 (1): 3-13.
  17. MacGregor, M. (2020, 23 June). Covid-19: Rights groups call for African borders to reopen to asylum seekers. InfoMigrants. https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/25562/Covid-19-rights-groups-call-for-african-borders-to-reopen-to-asylum-seekers [Accessed, 22. 07. 2020].
  18. Maria Nicola, et al., (2020). The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19): A review. International Journal of Surgery, 78: 185-193.
  19. Masai, M. (2020, 1 August). East Africa should work together to beat Covid-19 says President Paul Kagame. NTV Kenya. https://youtu.be/QiXj1jAafTo
  20. Mkina, S., Kimono, G. and Danga, D. M. (2020, 1 June). On the road with East African truck drivers. Mail & Guardian. https://mg.co.za/africa/2020-06-01-on-the-road-with-east-african-truck-drivers/ [Accessed, 15. 08. 2020].
  21. Nambi, C. & Chombo, A. (2020, 21 May). Fear of Covid-19 slows trucking in East Africa. Voanews. https://www.voanews.com/Covid-19-pandemic/fear-Covid-19-slows-trucking-east-africa [Accessed, 29. 07. 2020].
  22. Nsanyiwa, D. (2020, 15 April). Tanzania: government and institution measures in response to Covid-19. KPMG. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/tanzania-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html [Accessed, 05. 08. 2020].
  23. O'dowd, L. (2002). The changing significance of European borders. Regional & Federal Studies, 12(4), 13-36.
  24. O’Reilly, M., et al. (2009). Doing Accountability: a discourse analysis of research ethics committee letters. Sociology of Health and Illness, 31: 246-61.
  25. Owaka, S. P. (2020, 19 June). Tanzania and Uganda agree on truck drivers’ movement amid Covid-19, Arusha: East African Community.
  26. Pettigrew, A. (1997). What is a processual analysis? Scandinavian Journal of Management, 13: 337-48.
  27. Polner, M. (2011). Coordinated border management: from theory to practice. World Customs Journal, 5 (2): 49-64.
  28. Tasamba, T. (2020, 22 April). Rwanda uses Ebola experience to combat Covid-19. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/rwanda-uses-ebola-experience-to-combat-Covid-19/1813902 [Accessed, 14. 08. 2020].
  29. The East African. (2020, 29 June). Intra-EAC trade thins as Covid-19 lockdowns restrict movement. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/intra-eac-trade-thins-as-Covid-19-lockdowns-restrict-movement-1444056 [Accessed, 29. 07. 2020].
  30. Vidija, P. (2020, 26 May). Kenya, Uganda authorities meet to resolve truck drivers standoff. The Star Newspaper. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-05-26-kenya-uganda-authorities-meet-to-resolve-truck-drivers-standoff/ [Accessed, 10. 08. 2020].
  31. Wasike, A. (2020, 17 May). East African truckers face backlash from Covid-19: Residents raise alarm over drivers bringing essential goods, virus across borders. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/east-african-truckers-face-backlash-from-Covid-19/1843735 [Accessed, 17.03.2021].
  32. World Customs Organization (WCO). (2008). Customs in the 21st Century: enhancing growth and development through trade facilitation and border security. Brussels: WCO.
  33. World Customs Organization (WCO). (2009). Background paper to facilitate the discussion on coordinated border management, WCO Inter-Agency Forum on Coordinated Border Management. Brussels: WCO.
  34. Yusuf, M. (2020). Kenya truck drivers lose jobs due to Covid-19 restrictions. Voice of Africa. https://www.voanews.com/Covid-19-pandemic/kenya-truck-drivers-lose-jobs-due-Covid-19-restrictions [Accessed, 17.03.2021].