Dar braces for Obama fever

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation addresses the African Ambassadors and press (not in the photo), earlier today in the Ministry in Dar es Salaam.  The Minister briefed reporters about the upcoming visit of the US President Barack Obama in July of this year and the AU's Golden Jubilee celebrations slated for 25 May 2013 at the Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam. 

H.E. Thanduyise H. Chiliza (right), High Commissioner of South Africa in Tanzania and H.E. Judith Kapijimpanga, High Commissioner of Zambia in Tanzania were also in attendance during the press conference. 

Hon. Membe explains the upcoming visit of the US President Barack Obama and his purported agenda of "Power Africa", which aims at stimulating economic development in the Continent through the energy sector.  Also in the photo is Permanent Secretary Mr. John M. Haule (right) and Ambassador Prof. Ambrósio Lukoki of Angola in Tanzania.

H.E. Abdihakim Ali Yassin (left), Ambassador of Somali to Tanzania, H.E. Djelloul Tabet (center), Ambassador of Algeria to Tanzania and H.E. Hossam Moharam (right), Ambassador of Egypt to Tanzania. 

The African Ambassadors and members of the press listening to Hon. Minister Membe during the press conference earlier today. 

Hon. Minister Membe (center) stresses something during his meeting with the African Ambassadors and press (not in the photo) earlier today in the Ministry in Dar es Salaam.  Also in the photo is Permanent Secretary Mr. John M. Haule (right) and H.E. Prof. Ambrósio Lukoki, Ambassador of Angola in Tanzania.

H.E. Flossie Gomille-Chidyaonga, High Commissioner of Malawi in Tanzania and H.E. Mutindo Mutiso, High Commissioner of Kenya in Tanzania were also in attendance. 

 Permanent Secretary Mr. John M. Haule (right) addresses members of press while detailing the upcoming AU's Golden Jubilee celebrations scheduled for Saturday May 25, 2013 at Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam.  Listening on is H.E. Prof. Ambrósio Lukoki, Ambassador of Angola in Tanzania.

The African Ambassadors and members of press during their meeting with Hon. Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP) earlier today in Dar es Salaam. 

Dar braces for Obama fever

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

Tanzania is expected to host the biggest visit ever in early July of this year, when President Barack Obama of the United States will grace the honor.  Obama is the first African-American elected President in the United States.

Briefing the African Diplomatic Corps and press earlier today, Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said that President Obama will be accompanied by his Family and close to 700 delegates consist of CEOs of various companies.

According to the US' White House statement issued earlier this week, the visit embarks the US’ “commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation with the people of sub-Saharan Africa.”  President Obama is scheduled to visit Senegal, South Africa prior to coming to Tanzania on July 1 to 2 of this year. 

Hon. Membe noted that the Obama’s visit will overlap the Country’s hosted Smart Partnership Dialogue on June 28 through 1st of July this year, in Dar es Salaam.  

The theme of this year’s Dialogue is “Leveraging Technology for Africa’s Socio-economic Transformation: The Smart Partnership Way”.

The Minister further said that important dignitaries from all over the world are expected to attend the Dialogue, including "the US former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush", said Minister Membe, adding that the main agenda of President’s Obama visit is “Power Africa”.

The agenda of "Power Africa" is earmarked to spearhead energy conservation among the African nations, stomping energy sector as a vital component of the economic development sphere in the Continent.  While in the Country, President Obama will host a businessmen forum that will gather groups from various development sectors in both countries.

In another development, Hon. Membe briefed the reporters about the African Union’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, slated for this Saturday 25 May 2013 at Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam. 

Detailing the program, the Permanent Secretary Mr John Haule said that the theme for the AU’s 50 years’ celebration is Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance.  Other activities to mark the celebration will include the Panel’s discussion on the role of AU in the Struggle for African Liberations and Self-Determination.

The press conference was attended by H.E. Juma Alfani Mpango, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC and other Ambassadors from Mozambique, Namibia, Algeria, Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia.  Also in attendance were Ambassadors from Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, Zimbabwe and other countries in Africa.

End.