Special Envoy from Gabon delivers Special Message to President Kikwete

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania welcomes Special Envoy Mr. Serge Mickoto (left), Director General of the Gabonese Strategic Investment Fund. Mr. Mickoto is in the country to deliver a Special Message from H.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba of the Republic of Gabon to President Kikwete.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania receiving Special Message from H.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba of the Republic of Gabon, delivered by Special Envoy Mr. Serge Mickoto (left), Director General of the Gabonese Strategic Investment Fund.  (This photo is courtesy of www.issamichuzi.blogspot.com)

President Kikwete in discussion with Mr. Mickoto, Special Envoy from Gabon.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Ambassador Vincent Kibwana (2nd left), Director of the Department of Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs listen to President Kikwete's discussion with Mr. Mickoto.

President Kikwete (center), in a group photo with Special Envoy from Gabon, Mr. Serge Mickoto (2nd left).  Also in the photo is Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

All other photos are by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago

Newly Designate High Commissioner of Canada presents Letters of Credence

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania (right), awaits the newly designate High Commissioner of Canada to the United Republic of Tanzania to presents his original Letters of Credence before him.  Others in the photo are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd left), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Mrs. Grace Shangali (left), Assistant Director of the Department of Europe and Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Kikwete receives original Letters of Credence from Ambassador Alexandre Lévêque, new High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania.  Witnessing the occasion is Mr. Japhet Mwaisupule (2nd right), Acting Chief Protocol.

President Kikwete introduces new High Commissioner of Canada, Ambassador Lévêque to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP).  Second left is Mrs. Grace Shangali, Assistant Director of the Department of Europe and Americas in the Ministry and Mr. Grayson Ishengoma (left), Desk Officer of Canada at the Ministry.

President Kikwete in discussion with Ambassador Lévêque, High Commissioner of Canada to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Minister Membe listen keenly to President Kikwete (not in the photo) during his discussion with Ambassador Alexandre Lévêque, the new High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania.  Right is Mrs. Grace Shangali, Assistant Director of the Department of Europe and Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago

Newly Designate Ambassador of Iran to Tanzania presents his Credence

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania waits for the newly designate Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Mehdi Agha Jafari to presents his Letters of Credence before him today at the State House in Dar es Salaam.  Others in the photo are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (3rd left), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Ambassador Simba Yahyra (2nd left), Director of the Department of Middle East at the Ministry and Mr. Christopher Mvula (left), Assistant Director of the Deparment of Middle East at the Ministry.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete receives original Letters of Credence from newly designate Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mehdi Agha Jafari.  

President Kikwete introduces Ambassador Jafari to Hon. Membe.

President Kikwete in discussion with Ambassador Jafari.

Hon. Membe (left), Ambassador Yahya (center), and Mr. Mvula (right), keenly listening to the discussion between President Kikwete and Ambassador Jafari (both not in the photo). 

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

Hon. Membe meets with Envoys from Iran, Canada and Norway

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), today received copy of Letters of Credence from the newly designate Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Mehdi Agha Jafari.

Hon. Membe (right), in talks with newly designate Ambassador Jafari of Islamic Republic of Iran to Tanzania.  Left  is Ambassador Simba Yahya, Director of the Department of Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Hon. Membe highlights areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Iran during his talks with newly designate Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Tanzania, H.E. Mehdi Agha Jafari.

CANADA

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, today received copy of Letters of Credence from Ambassador Alexandre Lévêque, the newly designate High Commissioner of Canada to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Membe in talks with the newly designate High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania, Ambassador Alexandre Lévêque.

Hon. Membe and Ambassador Lévêque shaking hands as a sign of cementing strong ties between the two countries.

All Iran and Canada photos are by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago

NORWAY

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, welcomes Ambassador Ingunn Klepsvik of Norway to the United Republic of Tanzania in his office in Dar es Salaam.  Ambassador Klepsvik paid a courtesy call to the Minister to discuss various areas of cooperation between the two countries, including implementation on the MDGs.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation discusses areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Norway during his meeting with Ambassador Ingunn Klepsvik of Norway to Tanzania. 

Hon. Membe explains something to Ambassador Klepsvik (not in the photo) during their meeting today at the Minister's office in Dar es Salaam. 

Hon. Membe listens attentively to Ambassador Klepsvik during their discussion at the Minister's office. 

All Norway photos are by Ally Kondo Seif

TANGAZO LA MSIBA

  Jesca Emmanuel  (12)

TANGAZO LA MSIBA

Mhe. Tuvako Manongi, Balozi  wa Kudumu wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania katika Umoja wa Mataifa, kwa majonzi makubwa, anasikitika kutangaza kifo cha Jesca Emmanuel  (12), Mtoto wa Afisa mwenzetu Bw. Emmanuel Swere Alfred na Bi Doto, kilichotokea ghafla siku ya Jumapili 18/11/2012 katika Hospitali ya Mt. Sinai, Queens, New York.

Taratibu na mipango ya kuusafirisha Mwili wa Marehemu Mtoto Jesca kwenda kijijini Bumbombi- Shirati Tanzania kwa mazishi zinaendelea kwa usimamizi wa Ubalozi na Familia ya Marehemu.

Taarifa zaidi zitatolewa na Ubalozi kuhusu siku, tarehe na mahali tutakapomuaga mpendwa wetu Jesca Emmanuel.

Raha ya Milele Umpe Eee Bwana na Mwanga wa Milele Umuangazie apumzike kwa amani. Amina.

UBALOZI WA TANZANIA UMOJA WA MATAIFA

NEW YORK

Membe on Lake Nyasa: We have Agreed to Disagree

 

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation gives his opening remarks at the Tanzania-Malawi border dispute meeting, held earlier today at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Hon. Ephraim Chiume, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malawi highlights Malawi's position in respect to the Lake Nyasa border dispute during the meeting with Tanzania.  Left is Mr. Patrick Kabambe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malawi and Mr. Ralph Kasambara (right), Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Malawi.  

Tanzania delegation listening to Hon. Chiume when he highlighted the Malawi position.

Hon. Membe (3rd left), gives Tanzania's position in respect to the Lake Nyasa that the boundary is to the median line of the Lake.  Left is Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (MP), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Justice Fredrick Werema (2nd left), Attorney General for Tanzania.  Others are Mr. John M. Haule (4th left), Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Irene Kasyanju (5th left), Director of Legal Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tanzania delegation, that include H.E. Patrick Tsere (right), Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to Malawi.

  

Malawi delegation.

"We have agreed to disagree," says Hon. Membe, while talking to Malawi's delegation led by his counterpart Hon. Ephraim Chiume (not in the photo).  Others in the photo are Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (MP) (2nd left), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Justice Fredrick Werema (3rd left), Attorney General for Tanzania.  Also in the photo are Mr. John M. Haule (2nd right), Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Irene Kasyanju (right), Director to the Legal Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

  

Hon. Chiume addresses a press conference, while Hon. Membe listens attentively before his turn.

Hon. Membe addresses members of the press.

Lake Nyasa:  We have Agreed to Disagree

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), said that Tanzania and Malawi have agreed to disagree on the merits of the Lake Nyasa border dispute.

Speaking to the reporters during the joint press conference with his counterpart, Hon. Ephraim Chiume of Malawi, Hon. Membe said that there are respectively fundamental differences between the two countries.

“Malawi is still firm with Article 1, Subsection 2 of the 1890 Heligoland Treaty, which stipulates that Lake Nyasa border demarcates in the Northern part of Mozambique, which is to the Eastern shore of the Lake in Tanzania side,” said Hon. Membe.

For Tanzania, she still maintains that Article 6 of Heligoland Treaty stipulates that boundary issues shall be in accordance with the local requirements.  Thus, Tanzania still insists and maintains that the frontier demarcating between these two contiguous disputing states passes in the middle of the Lake Nyasa.

“With that, we have jointly agreed to seek a third party mediator to resolve this dispute amicably and peacefully,” said Hon. Chiume.

The parties agreed that the mediator should come from the Forum made of the former African Heads of State and Government and in particular from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).  “The Forum has 37 members who are retired, democratically elected leaders and whereby 10 of the members are from SADC countries,” said Hon. Membe.

Further to their agreement, the two Ministers told reporters that on 24 November of this year, they will hand deliver formal letter of application to the Forum.  It is said that in that application the parties will seek a mediator that is consisted of the 10 SADC members and jurists.

“We have also jointly agreed that the SADC Forum team shall have three months starting January 2013 to complete this exercise,” said Hon. Membe, adding that the team will be given additional time if necessary.

In concluding the joint press conference, both Ministers expressed their eagerness to resolve this border row amicably and peacefully.  However, if mediation process is fully exhausted, then the International Court of Justice will be the last resort.

End.

Membe hails Angola as it marks 37th Anniversary of its Independence

H.E. Prof. Ambrosio Lukoki, the Angolan Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania gives his opening remarks during the celebration to mark 37th years of Angola independence day.  The celebration took place this evening at Hyatt Regency Hotel - Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam.

Various distinguished guests who attended the Reception to mark 37th Anniversary of Angolan National Independence Day.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation gives his few remarks to mark the Angolan 37th Anniversary of its National Independence.  

Among the attendees were Dean of Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Ambassador Alfani Juma Mpango(left) who is also an Ambassador of Congo-DRC and H.E. Mr. Yahya Moosa Albakri (center), Ambassador of Oman to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Membe (right) who was also a guest of honor, toasts a glass of champagne with Ambassador Lukoki, marking the 37th Anniversary of Angola's National Independence Day. 

Hon. Membe and Ambassador Lukoki cut a special cake to mark the 37th Anniversary of Angola's National Independence Day.  The actual date of Angolan independence day is November 11, 1975.

Hon. Membe in a tête-à-tête with Ambassador Lukoki.

Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP) took a moment to talk to H.E. Ambasador Alfonso E. Lenhardt, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania. 

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in a conversation with H.E. Mr. Yahya Moosa Albakri, Ambassador of Oman to the United Republic of Tanzania during the 37th Anniversary of Angola's National Independence Day.  The celebration took place this evening at Hyatt Regency Hotel - Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam. 

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago

Minister Membe hosts EU-Tanzania Political Dialogue

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in brief talks with H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of European Union Delegation in Tanzania.  Hon. Membe hosted the political dialogue the European Union delegation in Tanzania that was held today at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

Hon. Membe (right) opens a political dialogue meeting between Tanzania-European Union.  Left is H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation in Tanzania during the Tanzania-EU political dialogue held today in Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

A Political Dialogue between Tanzania-EU in session at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

 

H.E. Mrs. Diane Corner, the British High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania gives her comments on recent events of religious demonstrations in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.  Left is H.E. Johnny Flento, Ambassador of Denmark to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Some of the delegates from both Tanzania and EU during the political dialogue.

Other Tanzania delegates that included Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Delegation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

A group photo of Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd right- front), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation together with H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi (3rd left-front), Ambassador and Head of European Union and EU Ambassadors to Tanzania.   

Hon. Membe thanks H.E. Ambassador Segregondi for his cooperation during the political dialogue which he hosted today at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

Minister Membe hosts EU-Tanzania

Political Dialogue

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) today met with the European Union Delegation in Tanzania led by H.E. Ambassador Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi in an annual political dialogue at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

The meeting derived from an agreement between Tanzania and European Union, known as Cotonou Agreement.  In that Agreement both parties agreed to conduct a political dialogue by exchanging information, assess areas of concerns such as human rights, democratic principles, rule of law, good governance and formulate cooperative strategies to promote peace and democratic stability.

During their meeting, Ambassador Sebregondi raised concerns of recent events that took place in respect to religious demonstration both in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, which some of them led to attacks on churches in Zanzibar by group called “UAMSHO”.  Also, the EU wanted to discuss issue of freedom of press and its infringement such as the killing of one reporter named Mr. David Mwangosi in Iringa and the ongoing constitutional review process.

In furtherance, the European Union delegation also wanted a dialogue on the update in respect to the situation in Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo, the presidential election in Zimbabwe, the crisis in Madagascar, the piracy incidents and the border dispute between Malawi and Tanzania.   

In his response, the Minister shared the Government views and stand on the religious demonstration that took place in Mainland and in Zanzibar.  He said that the Government is in control of the situation and it will not, under no circumstances allow such situations to escalate and cause any tension to our peaceful country. 

 “We have managed to have zero tolerance in respect to any religious demonstrations,” said the Minister, adding that all the accused persons involved in burning of churches in Zanzibar “have already been brought before the court of law and the situation is under control.”

In respect to the freedom of press, Hon. Membe said that the Government does indeed supports the freedom of press so long as it does not infringe the law set forth by the constitution.  In other regard, the Minister appealed to the EU delegation to provide training programs and education for the media personnel.      

On Tanzania and Malawi border issue, the Minister said that the two countries have been in talks amicably and diplomatically, to resolve the matter.  In fact, there is an ongoing three-day meeting on Lake Nyasa border dispute hosted by Tanzania from 15 through 17 November, 2012 at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

“The dispute derived from the 1890 Anglo-German Treaty known as ‘The Heligoland Treaty’ and in essence it is a triple-heritage of nature,” said Hon. Membe.  He added that the "triple-heritage is a water-body shared by Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi and that nobody can claim that the whole Lake belongs to one."  

On his part, the Head of European Union delegation said that they support all the initiatives that both Tanzania and Malawi have taken in making sure that the Lake Nyasa border dispute will be resolved amicably.

In respect to the update on the EU economic and financial crisis, Ambassador Sebregondi said that the crisis does not have significant impact to the developing countries that include Tanzania.  He further said that they have a roadmap proposal in place to explore and address any long-term issues that may arise in respect to the EU single monetary union.   

End.