President Kikwete hosts State Banquet for US President Barack Obama

H.E. President Barack Obama of the United States of America gives his remarks during the State Banquet prepared for him by H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete yesterday at the State House in Dar es Salaam. 

Distinguished guests and Senior Government Officials were in hand to listen to the US President Barack Obama's remarks during the State Banquet held yesterday evening at the State House.  

Also at the State House Banquet is Chief of Protocol Ambassador Mohammed Maharage Juma (left) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. 

Also in attendance were General Davis Mwamunyange (2nd left), Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People's Defence Force and Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue (4th left).

Several gathered Government Leaders clapping hands in respect of President Obama during his remarks at the State Banquet hosted by President Kikwete. 

US President Barack Obama (left), his host President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Michelle Obama observing the American National Anthem during the State Banquet held last evening at the State House in Dar es Salaam. 

Senior Government Officials from the United Republic of Tanzania observing in respect the American National Anthem. 

Also observing the American National Anthem is Permanent Secretary John M. Haule (2nd right) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. 

Also in attendance during the State Banquet was Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. 

Ambassador Dora Msechu (right), Director of the Department of Europe and Americas and Ambassador Mbelwa Kairuki, Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. 

Ms. Mends-Cole, UNHCR Representative (center) and Ambassador of Canada to the United Republic of Tanzania were also in attendance. 

  

Mrs. Dorcas Membe was also in attendance to honor this historical visit by President Barack Obama of the United States of America. 

Also in attendance Ambassador Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi (right), Head of the European Union Delegation to Tanzania.

Ambassador Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi (left), Head of the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi, Executive Secretary of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC).

  

Hon. Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe (MP) (left), Minister for Transport and Hon. Dr. Hussein A. Mwinyi (MP), Minister for Health and Social Welfare. 

Hon. william Lukuvi (MP) (right), Minister for State - Prime Minister's Office Policy, Coordination and National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (MP) (2nd right), Minister for Education and Vocational Training and Hon. Prof. Anna Tibaijuka (MP) (2nd left), Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development and Hon. Mwinyi. 

Ambassador Irene Kasyanju, Director of Legal Affairs Unit in a photo with Ms. Felsita Rugambwa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.  

Ambassador Naimi Aziz (right), Director of the Department of Regional Cooperation in a photo with Mrs. Grace Shangali, Assistant Director of the Department of Europe and Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Ambassador Simba Yahya, Director of the Department of Middle East, Ambassador Modest Jonathan Mero, newly appointed Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations in Geneva and Mr. Omary Mjenga, Assistant Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Ambassador of France (left) and Ambassador of Russia were also in attendance. 

Ambassador of Rwanda and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China were also in attendance. 

Ambassador of Kenya Mutindo Mutiso (right) was also in attendance. 

Ambassador Mwanaidi Maajar (2nd left), former Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States of America was also in attendance.

Other Government Officials were in presence including Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Hon. Mathias Chikawe (MP) (3rd left) and Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (MP) (left). 

Hon. Leticia Nyerere (right) and Hon. Dr. Fenella Mukangara (MP) (2nd right), Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports were also present.  

Ambassador Kairuki, Ambassador Msechu and Mr. Matiku enjoying the State Banquet hosted by President Jakaya Kikwete for his counterpart President Barack Obama of the United States, last evening at the State House. 

More guests at the State Banquet.

Distinguished guests during the State Banquet. 

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

President Kikwete and President Obama addressed Members of Media around the World; Tree Planting Ceremony

The Press Conference Podium prior is set for the two Presidents to address members of media from all over the World. 

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (right), President of the United Republic of Tanzania gives his opening remarks during the press conference held yesterday at the State House in Dar es Salaam.   Listening on his President Barack Obama of the United States of America. 

Listening on are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (5th right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah (right), H.E. Ambassador Alfonso Lernhardt (4th right), Ambassador of the United States of American to the United Republic of Tanzania and other Senior Government Officials. 

H.E. President Barack Obama of the United States of America gives his opening remarks during the press conference at the State House.  President Obama has been in the country in Tanzania for a two-days official tour.

President Obama continues with his speech while his counterpart-host President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania listens. 

President Obama explains about the United States' outstanding bilateral ties with Tanzania in various areas of cooperation that include technical assistance through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC), projects in combating major health pandemics in the country,  President's Malaria Initiative which focuses on care and treatment of malaria and agricultural transformation in effort to transform agricultural sectors to grow enough food to sustainably feed their people. 

Government Leaders were also in hand to listen at the two Presidents.  From second right is the US Ambassador in Tanzania H.E. Alfonso Lenhardt,  Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. William Mgimwa (MP), Minister for Finance, and  Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki (MP), Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism. 

The two Presidents take questions from members of media. 

The two Presidents listening to the questions from members of media.

President Obama answers press questions. 

Hon. Membe, Ambassador Lenhardt and Hon. Mgimwa listening to President Obama as he answers questions. 

President Obama answering questions from the member of media, where he also praised President Kikwete for his outstanding leadership role in bridging neighboring and regional countries to secure peace and democracy in countries such as the Eastern Congo -DRC.  He further praised the recent Zimbabwean Referendum which helped secure the set dates for the upcoming Presidential Elections this year. 

Another journalist posed questions to both Presidents. 

President Kikwete takes notes of the questions from journalists prior to answering them. 

President Obama highlights his Power Africa Initiative which he officially launched today at Symbion Power Plant in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam. 

Various Distinguished Guests including Government Leaders listening to the two Presidents. 

...... Tree Planting Ceremony ......

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete explains to his counterpart H.E. President Barack Obama of the United States of America about the Mkongo tree which President Obama will shortly plant. 

H.E. President Barack Obama of the United States of America planting a tree called Mkongo at the State House during his two-days official tour to the United Republic of Tanzania.   Witnessing the historical moment is President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. 

President Kikwete shows President Obama how high Mkongo tree will eventually grow. 

 All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago