Sunday, August 5, 2012

Taarifa kwa vyombo vya Habari

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Jakaya MrishoKikwete amesisitiza kuwa Serikali yake kamwe haijapata hata kufikiria kujenga barabara ya lami kukatisha Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Wanyapori ya Serengeti lakini bado Serikali itawapa wananchi wa Loliondo, mkoani Arusha, na Mugumu, mkoani Mara barabara nzuri ya lami.

Aidha, Rais Kikwete amesema kuwa watu wanaokejeli umeme unaowakakatika mji wa Loliondo kuwa ni wa jua (solar) ni wanafiki na amewataka wananchi wa mji huo kuwapuuza. Rais Kikwete ameyasema  hayo leo, Ijumaa, Agosti 3, 2012, wakati alipohutubia mamia ya wananchi wa mjini Loliondo na Wasso baada ya kuwa amekabidhi ng’ombe 500 kwa wakazi wa Wilaya ya Ngongoro ambaowalipoteza mifugo yao yote kutokana na ukame wa mwaka 2008/09 katikasiku ya pili ya ziara yake mkoani Arusha.

Akizungumza na wananchi hao katika eneo la Wasso, Rais Kikwete amesemakuwa ujenzi wa kilomita 50 za kwanza za barabara hiyo inayopitia Loliondo utaanza msimu huu wa fedha kuanzia mjini Mugumu, Mkoani Mara. 
“Tumesema na kusema mara nyingi tu kuwa hatukusudii kujenga barabara ya lami kukatisha Hifadhi ya Serengeti lakini tutawapa wananchi waLoliondo na Mugumu barabara za lami kwa maana ya barabara ya lami kutoka Mto wa Mbu kupitia Loliondo hadi kwenye mlango wa kuingiaHifadhi ya Serengeti upande wa Magharibi na kutoka Mugumu hadi langola kuingilia Hifadhi ya Serengeti upande wa Mashariki wa Hifadhi hiyo,” amesema Rais Kikwete huku akishangiliwa na wananchi.

Rais Kikwete amesema: “Watanzania wote wana haki sawa ya kupatiwamaendeleo kwa fedha zao wenyewe. Kuna haki gani wananchi wa sehemunyingine kupatiwa maendeleo kwa fedha za umma, lakini wale wa Loliondo na Mugumu kunyimwa haki hiyo? Waambie hao watu wanaolipwa kusema uongokuhusu ujenzi wa barabara hiyo waendelee. Wanapotosha ili waendelee
kulipwa. Lakini kwa hili la barabara hatutawasikiliza.”
Kuhusu umeme wa mjini Loliondo, Rais Kikwete amesema kuwa umeme wa Loliondo ni matokeo ya ahadi yake na wanaoukejeli umeme huo wakiuita wa jua (solar) wanakasirika kwa sababu Serikali imetimiza ahadi yake ya kuwapatia wananchi wa wilaya za Ngorongoro na Longido umeme. “Nasikia wanajekeli umeme, wanasema kuwa eti ni wa solar na kuwa hauwaki vizuri. Watu hawa ni wanafiki tu. Kwao yamekuwa maneno ya kawaida sasa. Yasiwawabaishe. Endeleeni na shughuli zenu,” amesema Rais Kikwete na kuahidi kuwa serikali itaongeza fedha ili kununua nguzo na nyaya zaidi ili kuwezesha majenereta yote manne yaliyofungwa Loliondo kufanya kazi. Kati ya majenereta hayo manne, ni moja tu linafanya kazi ingawa mahitaji ya umeme ni makubwa.Baada ya kumaliza hotuba yake, Rais Kikwete aliamua kwenda kutembelea kituo cha kuzalisha umeme cha Loliondo kujionea mwenyewe mitambo inavyofanya kazi na kupata maelezo.Wakati wa sherehe hiyo, ambako Rais Kikwete alikabidhi ng’ombe 64 za mwanzo kwa kaya 16, wananchi wa Wilaya Ngorongoro walimshukuru Rais Kikwete na Serikali yake kwa miradi ya umeme, maji, barabara ya lami, shule za kata na mradi wa kuwawezesha kwa ng’ombe.Kabla ya kuondoka Loliondo kwenda Dodoma, Rais Kikwete ametembeleaHospitali Teule ya Wilaya ya Ngorongoro ya Wasso ambako amewajuliahali wagonjwa kwenye hospitali hiyo.

Imetolewa na:

Kurugenzi ya Mawasiliano ya Rais,
Ikulu.
Dar es Salaam.
Agosti, 2012




Thursday, August 2, 2012

Kofi Annan resigns as UN Special Peace Envoy to Syria



(CNN) -- Kofi Annan, whose initiative to forge peace in war-ravaged Syria failed to take hold, said he has resigned as the U.N. and Arab League joint special envoy because of "increasing militarization on the ground" and "the clear lack of unity" at the U.N. Security Council.

Annan said he told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El Araby that he didn't want to renew his mandate when it expires August 31.

Syria state-run TV said the nation "expresses regret for the resignation," and Ban said he and El Araby are looking for a successor to take on the "crucial peacemaking effort."

In Geneva, Annan said he accepted the job despite its challenges, a task that some had dubbed "Mission Impossible." He said it was a "sacred duty" to bring about peace, end the killings and abuse of civilians, and set a course toward political change.

"The severity of the humanitarian costs of the conflict, and the exceptional threats posed by this crisis to international peace and security, justified the attempts to secure a peaceful transition to a political settlement, however daunting the challenge. The increasing militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity in the Security Council have fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role," he said.


To watch video, please click link:  
http://cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2012/08/02/nr-roth-kofi-annan-out-as-syria-envoy.cnn



Source: www.cnn.com


Hillary Clinton to meet Uganda's Yoweri Museveni

Hillary Clinton speaking at Cheikh Anta Diop University in the Senegalese capital Dakar on 1 August 2012
Mrs Clinton said the US was committed to "sustainable partnership" in Africa


US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has flown to Uganda on the latest leg of her Africa tour, condemning autocratic rule on the continent.

She is due to meet Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, a key ally in the US' campaign against Islamic extremism.

Regional security is expected to dominate her discussions with Mr Museveni, a staunch US ally who has been in power since 1986.

Ugandan troops are in Somalia under the banner of the African Union to fight al-Shabab Islamist rebels.

From Uganda, Mrs Clinton will travel to South Sudan, becoming the most senior US official to visit the country since it became independent last year.

The tour also includes a private meeting with South Africa's anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, now 94, in his home town of Qunu.

Her last stop will be Ghana, where she will attend the 10 August State Funeral for the Country's Late President, John Atta Mills, who died last week.

Senegal
Ms Clinton held up Senegal's democratic transition from long-serving President Abdoulaye Wade to his successor, Macky Sall, as an example to the region.

Mali
She ruled out resuming US aid to Mali until the military - which staged a coup in March - handed power to a democratically elected government.

Guinea-Bissau 
She also voiced concern that Guinea-Bissau, to the south of Senegal, which experienced a coup in April, could become completely dependent on Latin American drug traffickers.


Source:  www.cnn.com


New Egyptian Cabinet sworn in by President Mursi

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil
Prime Minister Hisham Qandil appealed for public support

Egypt's new cabinet has been sworn in by newly-elected President Mohammed Mursi at a ceremony in Cairo.

The ministers were selected by Prime Minister-designate Hisham Qandil, who earlier called for Egyptians to rally behind "a people's government."

Only four ministers from President Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood were given posts. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who ruled Egypt after Hosni Mubarak stepped down, remains as defence minister.

The military retains broad powers, including legislative authority.

President Mursi has been criticised for the time he has taken to name a prime minister and form a government.

He promised an inclusive government, with women and Christians represented. The cabinet line-up includes only two women - one of them is a Christian.

His nomination of Mr Qandil, the outgoing water resources minister, surprised many observers, who had been expecting a well-known figure.


'We are all Egyptians'
Speaking at a news conference in Cairo ahead of the ceremony, Mr Qandil appealed for Egyptians to pull together to support the new government.

"I call on all Egyptians to rally behind our elected president and to work with the government to achieve all of our goals.

"We have to stop asking who is a Copt, a Muslim or a Salafi. I don't see that. All I see is that we are all Egyptians and this should be the main principle."

Seven ministers will remain from the outgoing military-appointed cabinet - including Mumtaz al-Said, who will serve as finance minister, and Mohammed Kamal Amr, who stays on as foreign minister.

Former prime minister Kamal Ganzouri becomes a presidential adviser.

The re-appointment of Field Marshal Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), is in line with an interim constitutional declaration issued after June's presidential election run-off.

The Scaf assumed presidential powers after Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down as president in February 2011.

Its declaration and decision to dissolve parliament only days before caused outrage and overshadowed the nominal transfer of power to President Mursi on 30 June.

Of the ministers appointed, only four are members of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), which Mr Mursi used to lead.

They were given posts in higher education, housing, youth and information - the ministry which regulates the media.

Another key post, the minister of religious endowments (Awqaf), went to Osama al-Abd, the president of al-Azhar University.

There had been speculation that an ultraconservative Salafist cleric, Mohammed Yusri Ibrahim, would be appointed.


Source:  www.bbc.com

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Bw. Assah Mwambene Mkurugenzi Mpya wa Idara ya Habari (Maelezo)

      


Bw. Assah Andrew Mwambene ameteuliwa kuwa Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Habari (MAELEZO) katika Wizara ya Habari, Vijana, Utamaduni na Michezo kuanzia tarehe 01 Julai, 2012.  Bw. Mwambene anachukua nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na Bw. Clement Mshana ambaye mwaka jana aliteuliwa kuwa Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Utangazaji Tanzania (TBC).

Bw. Mwambene (41) kabla ya uteuzi huu alikuwa Kaimu Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Mawasiliano Serikalini katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa. Aidha, Bw. Mwambene amewahi kufanya kazi katika Kampuni ya Magazeti ya Serikali (TSN) akiwa mwakilishi wa Kampuni hiyo huko Zanzibar.

Idara ya Habari (MAELEZO) ndiyo Msemaji Mkuu wa Serikali hapa nchini.


IMETOLEWA NA WIZARA YA HABARI, VIJANA, UTAMADUNI
   NA MICHEZO

AGOSTI 1, 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Jakaya Kikwete - Doug Pitt Named Goodwill Ambassador Of Tanzania Hosted by President Kikwete
 
 
H.E Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania has sent a congratulatory message to H.E. Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, President of Switzerland on the occasion of the National Day of Switzerland.

The message reads as follows: -

“Your Excellency Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf,
President of Switzerland,
Geneva,

SWITZERLAND


It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and on my own behalf to congratulate Your Excellency, the Government and people of Switzerland on this important day.

On this occasion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to working closely with you in further strengthening the ties of friendship and co-operation that exist between our two countries and people.

Please accept, Your Excellency, my best wishes for your personal good health and continued peace and prosperity for the people of Switzerland”.

ISSUED BY: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, DAR ES SALAAM.
31ST JULY, 2012


Monday, July 30, 2012

Waziri Membe na Waziri Chiume wa Malawi


Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (MB) akifurahia jambo na Waziri mwenzake wa Malawi, Mhe. Ephraim Chiume katika Hoteli ya Hyatt Regency, jijini Dar es salaam. Katikati pichani ni Balozi wa Malawi nchini Tanzania. 

Danish Ambassador visits Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Ambassador Dora Msechu, Director of the Department of Europe and the Americas in discussion with H.E. Ambassador Johnny Flento, Ambassador of Denmark to the United Republic of Tanzania.  H.E. Ambassador Flento had paid a coutersy call to Ambassador Msechu discussing various areas of cooperation between the countries.  

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Press Statement



JOINT MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOUNDARY ISSUES FOR TANZANIA AND MALAWI, 27TH -28TH JULY, 2012 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

1.            Following the invitation of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, to the Republic of Malawi, a Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Boundary issues in the two countries took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 27 to 28 July, 2012. 

2.            The purpose of the Meeting was to revive the stalled negotiations on the delineation, demarcation, delimitation and re-affirmation of the boundary between Tanzania and Malawi on the Lake, and to set a roadmap and program of implementation for the boundary program. The Tanzania delegation was led by Hon. Bernard Kamillius Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  The Malawi delegation was led by Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi.

3.            The two countries stressed on the importance of resolving the issue of their boundary on the Lake diplomatically.

4.            The Ministers approved the roadmap and implementation program for the negotiations on the boundary issue.

5.            The Ministers agreed that the Joint Team of Experts, the Joint Committee of Officials, and the Council of Ministers on the Malawi/Tanzania boundary meet in Mzuzu in the week commencing 20th August, 2012, for further negotiations on the issue.



Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation,

Dar es Salaam

28th July 2012                               



Saturday, July 28, 2012

Late President Mills To Be Buried August 10, 2012

The State funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills will take place in Accra from Wednesday August 8 to Friday August 10, 2012, a statement from the office of the President said.

The statement, signed by the Chief of Staff, John Henry Martey Newman yesterday said the funeral service and burial would be held on Friday August 10, indicating that further details would be communicated in due course.

The statement also said that the period of mourning and lowering of the Ghana flags have been extended until after the funeral.

It directed that all public buildings should be draped in red and black colours as well as the national flag to symbolize the state of national mourning.

Source: GNA
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Friday, July 27, 2012

Mhe. Waziri Membe kukutana na Waziri toka Malawi

Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (MB), Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa wa Tanzania leo anakutana na Waziri mwenzake kutoka Malawi.  

Aidha, katika Mkutano wao, Mawaziri hao watazungumzia masuala ya uhusiano kati ya nchi hizi mbili.


Wandishi wa Habari mtapata taarifa za yaliyojiri katika Mkutano huo.

Tamko la Idara ya Usalama wa Taifa

 
TAMKO RASMI KUHUSU TUHUMA DHIDI YA IDARA YA USALAMA WA TAIFA
 
Katika siku za hivi karibuni, kumejitokeza taarifa zenye tuhuma kadhaa dhidi ya Idara ya Usalama wa Taifa. Taarifa hizo zimekuwa zikitolewa kwenye vyombo vya habari zikiihusisha Idara hii na matukio ambayo yanaidhalilisha na kuzua maswali mengi kwa wananchi. Kati ya tuhuma hizo ni tukio la kutekwa kwa Dr. STEPHEN ULIMBOKA, Mwenyekiti wa Jumuiya ya Madaktari na madai ya kufanywa kwa mipango ya kuwadhuru baadhi ya Viongozi wa Vyama vya Upinzani. Gazeti moja la kila wiki limekuwa likurudia tuhuma hizo mara kwa mara kwa madai kwamba ni habari za uchunguzi na kuihusisha Idara.

Idara inataka kuwahakikishia wananchi kwamba taarifa hizo ni za UZUSHI NA UONGO ambazo zina nia ya kuharibu jina na sifa ya Idara. Taarifa hizo zimekuwa zikiunganishaunganisha vipande vya taarifa mbalimbali ili kukidhi malengo yaliyokusudiwa na wanaolitumia gazeti hilo. Idara haikuhusika wala haihusiki na matukio yoyote yaliyotajwa katika tuhuma hizo. Hivyo tunawaomba wananchi wazipuuze taarifa hizo.

Matukio yaliyotajwa katika tuhuma hizo yanachunguzwa na Jeshi la Polisi ambacho ndicho Chombo Chenye Dhamana, na kwa Maslahi ya Taifa si vizuri kuachia upotoshaji huo uendelee.
 

Aidha, tunapenda kuwahakikishia Watanzania kuwa uzushi na tuhuma zinazotolewa dhidi ya Idara hazitatuvunja moyo bali zitatuunganisha na hivyo kutuimarisha katika azma yetu ya kuhakikisha nchi yetu inaendelea kubaki salama kwa kushirikiana na wanachi na Vyombo vingine vya Ulinzi na Usalama.

 

Imetolewa na Idara ya Usalama wa Taifa,

Makao Makuu,

DAR ES SALAAM

26 Julai, 2012.

 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

India, Qatar present Copies of Credentials

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, receives Copies of Credentials from Ambassador Debnath Shaw, newly designate High Commissioner of India to the United Republic of Tanzania. 

Hon. Membe expressing Tanzania's commitment to enhance bilateral relations with India.  Listening is newly designate High Commissioner for India, Ambassador Debnath Shaw at Hon. Membe's office in Dar es Salaam.


Newly designate Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Republic of Tanzania, Ambassador Jassim M.M. al-Darwish, presents Copies of Credentials to Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 


Hon. Membe (right) in talks with newly designate Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Tanzania, Ambassador Jassim M.M. al-Darwish (center).  Other in the photo is Ambassador Simba Yahya, Director of the Department of Middle East at the Ministry.


Hon. Membe explains the two countries' new relation in tourism sector arise as a result of the newly launched Qatar Airways route to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) that has attracted other countries to join in such as Emirates and Turkey.  Listening on is Ambassador al-Darwish, the newly designate Ambassador of the States of Qatar to Tanzania.  



India, Qatar present Copies of Credentials

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) has called for enhanced bilateral ties that so happily exist between Tanzania and India.
He said the two countries have enjoyed good relations especially in cultural, business, investment and health sectors.
Hon. Membe said this today shortly before receiving Copies of Credentials from the newly designate High Commissioner of India to Tanzania, H.E. Ambassador Debnath Shaw at his office in Dar es Salaam.
“I don’t see any other country in the world with more connections in a bilateral and international level like the relations that exists between Tanzania and India,” said Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) as he continued his discussion with Ambassador Shaw.
On his part, Ambassador Shaw expressed his eagerness to continue the strong ties between the countries that continue to exist for years.   He said his country is keen to continue the effort to explore the areas of expertise such as industry and healthcare sectors that Tanzania needs in developing projects and capacity building. 
During their discussion, Hon. Membe also extended his congratulations to the recently sworn in India President, H.E. Pranab Mukherjee as the country’s 13th President of India.   
“India stands as an icon of democracy in the world and I am sure the new President will continue with that legacy at hand,” said Hon. Membe.
Meanwhile, H.E. Ambassador Shaw expressed his country’s condolences for those suffered in the recent ferry accident of the MV Skagit in Zanzibar. 
Hon. Membe welcomed again Ambassador Shaw and hoped that while in the country, he will get an opportunity to visit tourist attractions such as Ngorongoro Craters, Spiced Island of Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Meanwhile, the newly designate Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Tanzania, H.E. Ambassador Jassim M.M. al-Darwish, also presented Copies of Credentials to Hon. Membe in Dar es Salaam.
“The launching of Qatar Airways route to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) will strengthen and open new business ventures between Tanzania and State of Qatar,” said Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“The relation between the two countries will grow in areas of tourism, political and business sector,” said Hon. Membe.
On his part, Ambassador al-Darwish said the Qatar government was set to continue building the relation with Tanzania government, making it more enjoyable and profitable in areas of investments.  “We are here to help build the best Tanzania and Qatar,” said Ambassador al-Darwish.
Hon. Membe assured the Ambassador of government’s cooperation in sustaining relations in business, trade and investment to excel in development of the country.   

Finnish Ambassador visits Ministry of Foreign Affairs

H.E.  Ambassador Sinikka Antila of the Embassy of Finland in the United Republic of Tanzania today paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Irene Kasyanju, Director and Head of the Legal Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Dar es Salaam. 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Rais amteua Balozi Manongi kwenda UN

Rais amteua Balozi Manongi kwenda UN

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete amemteua Balozi Tuvako Manongi kuwa Mwakilishi wa Kudumu wa Tanzania katika Umoja wa Mataifa, New York.

Taarifa iliyotolewa leo, Jumatano, Julai 25, 2012 na Kaimu Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi, Bwana Peniel Lyimo kupitia Kurugenzi ya Mawasiliano ya Rais, Ikulu, Dar es Salaam imesema kuwa uteuzi huo ulianza jana, Julai 24, 2012.

Kabla ya uteuzi wake, Balozi Manongi ambaye ni ofisa wa miaka mingi wa masuala ya nchi za nje, alikuwa Mshauri Mwandamizi katika Ofisi ya Naibu Katibu Mkuu wa Umoja wa Mataifa, New York.

Balozi Manongi anachukua nafasi ya Balozi Ombeni Y. Sefue ambaye aliteuliwa kuwa Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Desemba 30, mwaka jana, 2011.

 
Imetolewa na:
Kurugenzi ya Mawasiliano ya Rais,
Ikulu.
Dar es Salaam.

Taarifa kwa vyombo vya Habari

Serikali ya Uswizi yatuma salamu za rambirambi
 
Serikali ya Uswizi imemtumia salamu za rambirambi Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete kufuatia ajali ya kuzama kwa Meli ya Skagit tarehe 18 Julai, 2012 karibu na Kisiwa cha Chumbe katika Bahari ya Hindi ambapo watu 73 wamepoteza maisha.
 
Katika salamu zake za rambirambi kwa Rais Kikwete, Rais wa Shirikisho la Uswizi, Mama Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf amesema Serikali ya Uswizi na watu wa nchi hiyo wameshtushwa na kusikitishwa sana kutokana na taarifa za ajali hiyo.
 
“Serikali na Wananchi wa Uswizi wameshtushwa na kusikitishwa sana na habari za ajali mbaya ya meli iliyotokea kati ya Dar es Salaam na Zanzibar ambapo watu wengi wamepoteza maisha”, amesema Widmer-Schlumpf katika salamu zake.
 
Amesema yeye kwa niaba ya Baraza la Shirikisho la Uswizi anatuma salamu za rambirambi kwa Serikali ya Tanzania na pole nyingi kwa familia na marafiki wa watu waliofikwa na msiba huo mkubwa.
 
Imetolewa na:
Kurugenzi ya Mawasiliano ya Rais,
Ikulu.
Dar es Salaam.
25 Julai, 2012

Ghana President Mills dies, VP takes over

Ghana's President John Evans Atta Mills speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington March 8, 2012. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

(Reuters) - Ghana's President John Atta Mills, who won international praise for presiding over a stable model democracy in Africa, died suddenly on Tuesday and his vice-president was quickly sworn in to replace him at the helm of the oil, gold and cocoa producer.

Mills had celebrated his 68th birthday on Saturday and his unexpected death came months before he was due to stand for re-election in December as head of the world's No. 2 cocoa grower, which is also a major African gold producer.

"It is with a heavy heart ... that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana," the president's office said. It added that Mills had died a few hours after being taken ill, but gave no further details.

A presidential aide, who asked not to be named, said the president had complained of pains on Monday evening and had died early on Tuesday afternoon when his condition worsened.

In line with Ghana's constitution, Vice-President John Dramani Mahama, who is 53, took the oath of office as head of state before a somber parliament hours after the announcement of Mills' death. Mahama will serve as caretaker president until the elections at the end of the year.

Analysts hailed this as a sign that the country's political institutions were solid and working smoothly.
"With Ghana's reputation for stability, having seen two peaceful transitions in government following elections in 2000 and 2008, the strength of Ghana's institutions are likely to see the country in good stead," said Razia Khan, head of Africa research at Standard Chartered.

"As such, market volatility related to near-term uncertainty is likely to be limited," she added.
Amid swirling rumors about his ill health, Mills had returned from medical checks in the United States a few weeks ago. Some reports by local newspapers speculated he had throat cancer, other reports mentioned a sinus-related affliction.

Ghana's election commission said December's presidential and parliamentary elections would go ahead as planned.


OBAMA PAYS TRIBUTE
Some analysts questioned whether Mills' death might open up a presidential candidacy battle inside the ruling National Democratic Congress party before the elections. The party will hold an emergency congress to elect a new presidential candidate to contest the vote.

"Elections will have to be held soon and one does not know what the new president will decide, in particular in terms of resource nationalism. Elections are always a factor of instability in Africa," said Martin Bauwens, managing director of Johannesburg-based mine consultancy MJB Consulting.
Producers in Africa's second largest gold producer have raised concerns about government moves to raise the corporate mining tax to 35 percent from 25 percent and to introduce a 10 percent windfall tax as well.

Ghana's state and private radio and TV channels suspended regular programming and played patriotic songs between messages of condolence, urging Ghanaians to unite in a time of grief.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who had received Mills in the Oval Office in March and praised him and his country as "a good-news story" in Africa, also sent his condolences.

"He helped promote economic growth in Ghana in the midst of challenging global circumstances and strengthened Ghana's strong tradition of democracy ... He was also a strong advocate for human rights and for the fair treatment of all Ghanaians," Obama said in a statement from the White House.
Trained as a lawyer and taxation expert, Mills had overseen Ghana's emergence as one of Africa's newest oil producers two years ago, earning respect at home and abroad for his economic policies and commitment to democracy and good governance.

Ghana has seen democratic elections decide its leadership no fewer than four times since the last military coup in 1981, a rare feat in a region where power is still just as often determined by the bullet as by the ballot.

The new caretaker president, Mahama, has just published a book entitled "My First Coup d'Etat: And Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa", a memoir of his early years in the often turbulent events that followed Ghana's 1957 independence from Britain.


Source:  www.reuters.com


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

DICOTA 2012 Convention

main banner 12




About the Convention

The DICOTA 2012 Convention – themed “Tanzania’s Diaspora - Investment, Citizenship and Relationship” – this year will be held at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare, 8535 West Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631 U.S.A. from 30th August to 2nd September, 2012.


The convention brings together members of the Tanzanian Diaspora in the United States of America, Tanzanian private sector and government officials; key decision makers from Tanzania and U.S. businesses; financial institutions, charitable organizations and international organizations with vested interest in investment and social and economic growth in the country. The conference presents attendees with the latest trade and investment opportunities in all sectors of the economy, while providing a forum for potential partnership formations through many networking opportunities.


Venue: Chicago Marriott O'Hare Hotel
8535 West Higgin Road
Chicago, Illinois 60631, USA.

Dates: August 30 - September 2, 2012 

For more information, click:  http://www.dicotaus.org/


Kumradhi Waziri Membe


Imeandikwa na Mhariri, Gazeti la Mwananchi (Tarehe 23 Julai, 2012)

Katika gazeti la tarehe 12/01/2011 tulichapisha habari yenye kichwa. Membe: Polisi walikiuka Maadili (Mabalozi waibana Serikali, wahoji polisi kutumia risasi za moto).

Habari hiyo ambayo ilifuatia tukio la vifo vya watu watatu na majeruhi kadhaa vilivyotokea mjini Arusha wakati polisi walipokabiliana na waandamanaji wa Chadema,  ilidai kwamba Waziri Membe alililaumu jeshi la polisi kwa kukiuka maadili, kuvuka mipaka yake na kusababisha mauaji hayo ambayo yalitia doa Tanzania.

Aidha habari hiyo iliendelea kudai kwamba mabalozi wa nchi mbalimbali walimbana wakitaka tamko la Serikali juu ya tukio hilo.

Baada ya uchunguzi wa kina, gazeti hili limebaini kuwa, Waziri Membe hakusema maneno hayo na wala hapakuwa na mvutano wala madai yeyote ya Mabalozi juu ya jambo hilo.

Kutokana na hayo, tunachukua fursa hii kumwomba radhi Waziri Membe, Jeshi la Polisi, Serikali, Mabalozi wote na Wananchi kwa ujumla.

Aidha tunapenda kumhakikishia Waziri Membe na wasomaji wote kwa ujumla kwamba habari hii iliandikwa kwa bahati mbaya na kwamba gazeti hili litaendelea kufanya kazi yake kwa kufuata misingi ya Taaluma ya uandishi wa habari, Maadili na sheria za nchi bila kumwonea mtu au kushinikizwa na mtu yoyote kwa maslahi binafsi.





WAZIRI MEMBE ATOA MKONO WA POLE


Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi
Dk.Ali Mohamed Shein, akisalimiana na Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na
Ushirikiano wa Kimatifa, Mhe. Benard K. Membe (MB).  Waziri Membe alifika Ikulu Mjini Zanzibar
jana, kwa madhumuni ya kutoa mkono wa pole kwa Rais kutokana na Ajali ya
Meli ya Mv Skagit ya Kampuni ya Seagul, na kusababisha wananchi kupoteza
Roho zao.  [Picha na Ramadhan Othman,Ikulu Zanzibar.]


 

Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi,
Dk.Ali Mohamed Shein, akiwa katika mazungumzo na Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na
Ushirikiano wa Kimatifa, Mhe. Benard K. Membe (Mb), baada ya Waziri Membe kufika
Ikulu Mjini Zanzibar jana.  Waziri Membe alimtembelea Mhe. Rais Shein kwa madhumuni ya kutoa mkono wa pole kutokana na Ajali ya Meli ya Mv Skagit ya Kampuni ya Seagul.  [Picha na Ramadhan Othman,Ikulu Zanzibar.]



Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar, Balozi Seif Ali Idd akiwa katika mazungumzo na Mhe. Waziri Bernard K. Membe (MB), Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa.  Mhe. Membe alikuwa Mjini Zanzibar kumpa salamu za pole Balozi Idd kutokana na ajali ya Meli ya MV Skagit iliyotokea wiki iliyopita.  [Picha na Ramadhan Othman,Ikulu Zanzibar.]

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Ziara ya Mhe. Membe nchini China




Mhe. Membe akiangalia picha sanifu ya kijiji cha Kiafrika muda mfupi kabla ya kuzindua ujenzi wake.


Mhe. Membe akizindua ujenzi wa Kijiji cha Kiafrika kitakachojengwa na Bw. Lee kwa madhumuni ya kukuza utamaduni na sanaa ya Afrika nchini China. Bw. Lee na mkewe wameishi Tanzania kwa miaka mingi na wameamua kuuenzi utamaduni wa kitanzania na kiafrika ikiwa ni shukrani yao na upendo wao kwa bara la Afrika.



Waziri Membe akifungua maonyesho ya muda ya sanaa za kitanzania jijini Beijing




Waziri Membe akisaini Kitabu cha Wageni, nyuma yake kutoka kulia ni Mmiliki wa Kituo Bw. Lee, Mhe. Balozi Philip Marmo na Mama Lee, Mke wa Mmiliki wa Kijiji cha Kiafrika.

Joint Press Release between President Kikwete and President Barroso



 

EU, Tanzania leaders pledge more cooperation, dialogue







PRESIDENT of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso today held talks at the State House in Dar es Salaam with H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete President of the United Republic of Tanzania in which they both expressed commitment to increase cooperation and dialogue between the two sides. The Commissioner for Development of the European Commission, Andris Piebalgs and EU officials from Headquarters in Brussels accompanied President Barroso and met with Senior Ministers of the Government and  EU Heads of Mission.

The visit is meant to reinforce the high-level political dialogue and to strengthen economic cooperation between Tanzania and the European Union. Six new development programmes were launched to improve access to water and sanitation; strengthen the road transport sector and rural road infrastructure; good governance and social accountability; as well as capacity support for the Government in the area of programme management, policy dialogue and broader donor coordination.
President Barroso stated: "Tanzania has become one of the EU's main partners in Africa, and is also playing an increasingly important role in the stability and the inclusive and sustainable economic growth of the whole region. We now want to deepen our regular political dialogue with Tanzania and further increase our cooperation in areas like energy, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism or migration; issues which are of concern both for Africa and the European Union."
Noting the considerable prospects for economic transformation in Tanzania, he added: "I am also pleased to further increase our development cooperation by launching new programmes that will encourage inclusive and sustainable growth and help us to make even more of a difference in the fight against poverty."
During the visit, six new financing agreements were signed, worth a total of Euro 126.5 million. This new support will help to rehabilitate more than 200 km of roads and provide access to drinking water for 500,000 people; improved sanitation infrastructure and services for some 140,000 inhabitants; strengthen democratisation and good governance.

The signature of the East African Community (EAC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union is also high on the agenda of the discussions as Tanzania's commitment will be instrumental to reaching an agreement soon.

On his part, President Kikwete expressed his appreciation of the unprecedented historical socio-political and economic cooperation between European Union and Tanzania; and added “the EU is one of our key Development Partners both in terms of magnitude of financial support and commitment to our development initiatives”. Since 1975, Tanzania has benefited significantly from grant aid from the EU of about Euro 1.8 billion (TZS 3.8 trillion).
Going forward, President Kikwete commended the EU’s decision to consider using our national development strategies and Plans to develop future financing programmes rather than developing a parallel separate strategy as it has been the case in the past.  He added “this is a commendable decision and would like to once again thank you for recognizing that our development strategy documents are sound and could be relied upon”. He pointed out great challenge on addressing supply-side constraints which are inhibiting achievement of significant poverty reduction, especially in rural areas where majority of population live.  Therefore, he requested, during the programming of the 11th EDF, the European Commission to consider road transport sub-sector, rural infrastructure and General Budget Support as focal sectors in order to assist the Government to address these challenges. 
President Kikwete expressed his Government’s commitment to strengthen unprecedented historical cooperation between Tanzania and the EU and said he looked forward to working together towards this end. 
BACKGROUND
The first Financing Agreement that was signed at the occasion of the visit of President Barroso and Commissioner Piebalgs, amounting to €45 million is for the support of improvement of road transport network in Tanzania. With a specific objective of supporting priorities specified in the Transport Sector Investment Programme, focusing on the road maintenance with particular emphasis on rural road sub-sector and effectively promoting the dialogue on maintenance related strategy and policy with a view to progressive coverage of the maintenance needs.  The second Financing Agreement under MDG Initiative, worth €51.51 million, is for Water Programmes in the towns of Lindi, Sumbawanga and Kigoma.  The third Financing Agreement, amounting to €22 million, is for support to improvement of rural roads with the objective to support national decentralisation strategy in improving connectivity and accessibility to markets and service facilities by removing bottlenecks on selected local roads in three regions.   The fourth Financing Agreement amounting to €3 million is for programme to support Non-State Actors in Zanzibar with the overall objective to strengthen democratisation and good governance and support civil society initiatives on accountability, participatory development and policy advocacy.  The fifth Financing Agreement, worth €2.5 million, is for programme to support National Authorising Office for managing EU portfolio in the country.  While the last Financing Agreement worth €2.5 million, is for Technical Cooperation Facility aimed at providing a flexible instrument for capacity development and policy and expert advice to strengthen EU programmes implementation and formulation, policy dialogue and broader donor coordination
Source:  http://www.issamichuzi.blogspot.com/