New Finnish Ambassador presents copy of Credentials to Hon. Membe

(Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation)

New Finnish Ambassador presents
copy of her Credentials to Hon. Membe

The new Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania, H.E. Sinikka Antila said her country will continue bilateral relations with Tanzania in areas of business partnership, find solutions to the rise in cost of food prices, Northern Africa problems and climate changes which may result in famine crisis facing countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia. 

Madame Antila said this yesterday while presenting a copy of her Credentials to Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in his office.

For his part, Hon. Membe said his government is aware of the crisis of hunger facing African nations, such as Somalia, which has become a priority.  He explained that Somalia alone is facing 3.7 million people without shelter, food, clothing and that it is a first time South Somalia has faced two consecutive dried seasons in the period of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. 

Hon. Membe also added that in every 10,000 people at least 2 adults and 4 children are dying in Somalia all because of famine resulting from climate changes.   Hon. Membe said Tanzania is the only neighborhood country with food and that it has already pledged 300 tons of maize to be sent to the affected country.  He also added that the public needs to be educated about how to preserve food in times of drought.

On the light note, Madame Antila shared her trip to Tanzania by train using Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).   During her trip, she had an opportunity to see the beauty of Tanzania as the train crossed through the Selous National Park. 

Prior to her appointment here, Madame Antila was a previous ambassador to Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.