Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ubalozi wa China wafanya mkutano wa pamoja na waandishi wa habari.

Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Bw. John M. Haule (kushoto) akiwa pamoja na Balozi wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China nchini Tanzania, Mhe. Lu Youqing wakati wa mkutano na waandishi wa habari uliofanyika katika ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari maelezo siku ya Jumanne tarehe 25 Machi, 2014. Mkutano huo ulizungumzia maadhimisho ya miaka 50 ya ushirikiano wa kidiplomasia  kati ya Tanzania na China na mafanikio ya ziara ya Rais wa China aliyoifanya nchini ambayo imetimiza mwaka mmoja.

Sehemu ya waandishi wa habari walioshiriki mkutano wa waandishi wa habari katika ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari maelezo. 

Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Asia na Australasia katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Balozi Mbelwa Kairuki (kushoto) akiteta jambo na Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Habari na Msemaji wa Serikali, Bw. Assah Mwambene wakati wa Mkutano wa Pamoja na waandishi wa habari kati ya Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Balozi wa China.

Kushoto ni Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Mawasiliano ya Serikali katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje, Bibi Mindi Kasiga akisikiliza kwa makini hotuba zilizokuwa zikitolewa. wengine ni maafisa wa Ubalozi China.

Baadhi ya maafisa kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje walioshiriki mkutano huo. 

Picha ya pamoja, kutoka kulia ni Balozi wa China, Mhe. Lu Youqing; Katibu Mkuu, Bw. John M. Haule; Mkurugenzi Msaidizi katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje, Bw. Nathaniel D. Kaaya; Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Mawasiliano Serikalini katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje, Bibi Mindi Kasiga na Afisa kutoka Ubalozi wa China

HOTUBA YA BW. JOHN HAULE, KATIBU MKUU WA WIZARA YA MAMBO YA NJE NA USHIRIKIANO WA KIMATAIFA WAKATI WA MKUTANO NA WAANDISHI WA HABARI JUU YA MAFANIKIO YA ZIARA YA MHE. XI JINPING, RAIS WA JAMHURI YA WATU WA CHINA, NCHINI TANZANIA, UKUMBI WA HABARI MAELEZO, DAR ES SALAAM, TAREHE 25 MACHI, 2014

Mheshimiwa Balozi Lu Youqing, Balozi wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China nchini Tanzania,

Wakurugenzi wa Idara na Wakuu wa Vitengo kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa,

Ndugu waandishi wa habari wa vyombo vya habari vya umma na binafsi,

Mabibi na Mabwana,

Ni  heshima kubwa na furaha kwangu kujumuika na wenzetu wa Ubalozi wa China katika siku hii ya leo, kwa ajili ya kuelezea mafanikio ambayo Tanzania na China zimepata kutokana na mahusiano ya muda mrefu na ya kidugu katika nyanja za kisiasa, kiuchumi, kiusalama na kijamii. Mwaka huu, Tanzania na China zinajivunia kuadhimisha miaka 50 ya mahusiano ya kidiplomasia ambayo yamekuwa na mafanikio makubwa kwa nchi hizi mbili. Ikumbukwe kwamba, moja ya vielelezo vikubwa kabisa vya ushirikiano wa nchi hizi mbili ni Reli ya TAZARA, Kiwanda cha Nguo cha Urafiki na kwa wale wapenzi wa Soka, ni Uwanja wa Kisasa wa Mpira wenye Uwezo wa Kuchukua Watu elfu sitini (60,000) wakiwa wamekaa.

Kama mnavyofahamu, katika kipindi cha mwaka 2013, Tanzania ilipata bahati ya kuwa nchi ya kwanza katika bara la Afrika kutembelewa na Mheshimiwa Xi Jinping, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Watu wa China tangu ateuliwe kuwa Rais wa nchi hiyo. Vilevile, kupitia ziara hiyo, Mheshimiwa Rais Xi Jinping alipata fursa ya kutangaza Sera ya Mambo ya Nje ya China kwa bara la Afrika, katika Ukumbi wa Kimataifa wa Mikutano wa Julius Nyerere. Hii inaonesha si tu historia ya uhusiano mzuri na madhubuti uliopo baina ya Tanzania na China, bali pia utayari wa kushirikiana katika kukabiliana na changamoto mbalimbali za kimaendeleo zinazotokea hivi sasa duniani kote.

Ziara ya Rais Xi Jinping nchini Tanzania, iliyofanyika mwaka mmoja uliopita ilikuwa na lengo la kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kidiplomasia na kidugu ulioanza tangu mwaka elfu moja mia tisa sitini na nne (1964) pamoja na kukuza uhusiano wa kiuchumi kati ya nchi hizi mbili. Ziara hiyo ilishuhudia kusainiwa kwa Mikataba mbalimbali katika nyanja za kilimo, miundombinu, afya, nishati, utamaduni pamoja na teknolojia ya habari na mawasiliano.

MAFANIKIO YA ZIARA YA MHESHIMIWA RAIS XI JINPING NCHINI TANZANIA

Mahusiano ya watu-kwa-watu kati ya Tanzania na China

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Mahusiano ya watu-na-watu kati ya Tanzania na China ni mazuri na yanazidi kukua siku hadi siku. Tangu kufanyika kwa ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping nchini, takwimu ya idadi ya wageni wenye uraia kutoka China waliotembelea Tanzania kwasababu mbalimbali zikiwemo utalii na biashara inakadiriwa kuongezeka kutoka 10,790 mwaka 2013 hadi kufikia takribani 11,555 mwaka 2014. Wakati huohuo, idadi ya Watanzania waliotembelea China inakadiriwa kuongezeka kutoka 7,657 mwaka 2013 hadi kufikia takribani 8,114 mwaka 2014.

Kwa upande mwingine, ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping nchini imekuwa chachu kwa viongozi wa ngazi za juu kutoka Serikali ya Tanzania na China kutembeleana kwa nyakati tofauti. Ziara hizo zimeendelea kuwa ishara ya mahusiano mazuri na ya muda mrefu yaliyopo baina ya nchi hizi mbili. Kwa mfano; kwa kipindi cha mwaka mmoja tangu ujio wa Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping nchini, viongozi mbalimbali wa Kitaifa na wa ngazi za juu wa Tanzania walitembelea China. Viongozi hao ni pamoja na Mhe. Dkt. Ali Mohamed Shein, Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi ambaye alifanya ziara ya kikazi nchini China kuanzia tarehe 27 Mei hadi 02 Juni, 2013. Wakati wa ziara yake, jumla ya Mikataba minne (4) ya maendeleo katika nyanja za Afya, Bahari, Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano (TEHAMA) pamoja na Mafunzo, iliwekwa saini kati ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar na Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Watu wa China.

Vilevile, Mhe. Mizengo Pinda (Mb.), Waziri Mkuu wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania alizuru nchini China Mwezi Oktoba, 2013. Kupitia ziara ya Mhe. Waziri Mkuu, Serikali ya China ilitoa ahadi ya kuipatia Tanzania msaada wa fedha kiasi cha Yuan million 200 (sawa na dola za Kimarekani milioni 33) na mkopo wa masharti nafuu wa Yuan milioni 100 (sawa na dola za kimarekani milioni 16). Vilevile, Serikali ya China imekubali kuendelea kutoa mikopo nafuu kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa miradi mbalimbali iliyopo katika mpango wa “Matokeo Makubwa Sasa- (BRN)” ambayo Serikali ya Tanzania tayari imekwisha iwasilisha kwa Serikali ya China.

Kufuatia ziara hiyo ya Mhe. Waziri Mkuu nchini China, Mikataba na Makubaliano mbalimbali takriban kumi na miwili (12) iliwekwa saini. Mikataba hiyo inahusu sekta ya nishati na uzalishaji umeme, kuanzisha ukanda maalum wa viwanda kwa lengo la kuongeza mauzo ya bidhaa za Tanzania nje, uendelezaji wa sekta ya nyumba na makazi pamoja na ushirikiano wa kitaalamu katika sekta ya sayansi na teknolojia.

Kwa upande wa Serikali ya China, Mhe. Yang Huanning, Naibu Waziri wa Usalama wa Umma wa China alitembelea Tanzania mwezi Mei, 2013. Vyombo vya Usalama vya Tanzania na China vimekubaliana kushirikiana katika kuimarisha usalama wa nchi hizi mbili hususan kupambana na uhalifu wa kimataifa kama vile biashara za pembe za ndovu, meno ya tembo na madawa ya kulevya.

Madhumuni ya ziara hizo za viongozi hao wa ngazi za juu kutoka Serikali za Tanzania na China yalikuwa ni kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kidugu uliopo na wa muda mrefu na kuimarisha mahusiano yaliyopo katika nyanja mbalimbali hususan za kiuchumi na biashara.

Mikataba

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Wakati wa ziara ya kihistoria ya Rais Xi Jinping jumla ya Makubaliano na Mikataba kumi na sita (16) kati ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na Jamhuri ya Watu wa China iliwekwa saini pamoja na misaada mbalimbali kutolewa. Baadhi ya Mikataba na Makubaliano hayo yameanza kutekelezwa; na mingine kufikia hatua nzuri za utekelezaji.

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Hata hivyo, kutokana na ufinyu wa muda na wingi wa Makubaliano ambayo nchi hizi mbili ziliafikiana wakati wa ziara ya Rais Xi Jinping, nitatumia sehemu ya muda niliopewa kutoa mifano michache ya mafanikio na matarajio ya utekelezaji wa baadhi ya miradi hiyo ya maendeleo kwa kipindi cha mwaka mmoja tangu kuwekwa saini kwa Makubaliano hayo.

Kilimo

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kwa upande wa kilimo, Serikali ya China imefungua milango kwa zao la tumbaku ya Tanzania kuuzwa nchini humo kutokana na utekelezaji wa Mkataba unaohusu Masharti ya Afya ya Mimea kwa majani ya Tumabaku inayotoka Tanzania. Mkataba huo ambao uliwekwa saini wakati wa ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi nchini unatoa fursa ya soko la Tumbaku ya Tanzania nchini China na hivyo kuchangia katika kuleta urari wa biashara. Hivi sasa, bidhaa za tumbaku zaa Tanzania zinaruhusiwa kuuzwa katika soko la China.

Uwekezaji

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Tanzania na China zimeingia Mikataba mbalimbali kwa lengo la kukuza biashara na kuongeza uwekezaji. Mikataba hiyo ni pamoja na Mkataba unaohusu Msaada wa Fedha za Miradi ya Maendeleo nchini Tanzania na ule wa Uimarishaji na Kulinda Uwekezaji.

Utekelezaji wa Mikataba hiyo utasaidia kufikia Malengo yetu ya Dira 2025 kupitia utekelezaji wa Miradi mbalimbali iliyopo chini ya Mpango wa Maendeleo wa Miaka Mitano (2011-2016) na Mfumo wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (Big Results Now). Vilevile, Mkataba wa Kuimarisha na Kulinda Uwekezaji ni mmoja ya Mikataba muhimu ya kiuchumi ambayo inalenga kuimarisha mazingira mazuri ya uwekezaji nchini hivyo, hutoa nafasi nzuri ya kukuza na kuvutia uwekezaji kutoka kwa makampuni makubwa ya China.

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Tayari Makampuni ya China yameonyesha nia ya kuwekeza katika Sekta ya Nishati nchini. Kampuni ya Nishati ya China {China Power Investment (CPI)} inatarajia kuwekeza katika Mradi wa Kuzalisha MegaWatts 300 za Umeme (300MW) ujulikanao kama Kinyerezi III. Kadhalika, Kampuni nyingine ya Kichina ya Poly Technologies nayo inahusika katika Mradi wa Kuzalisha Umeme wa Kinyerezi IV wa 330MW ambazo zinategemea kuongezeka hadi 450MW. Miradi hii ya Kinyerezi kwa kiasi kikubwa itaondoa tatizo la upatikanaji wa Nishati hiyo hapa nchini na hivyo kuwahakikishia wananchi, pamoja na wawekezaji, upatikanaji wa nishati ya umeme kwa wakati wote na kwa kiwango cha kutosha.

Kampuni ya Poly Technologies pia imeingia Makubaliano na Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa (NHC) yenye thamani ya Dola za Kimarekani milioni 200 (USD 200 Million) kwa ajili ya uendelezaji wa sekta ya makazi nchini (real estate development).

Miradi ya Mikopo Nafuu na Misaada

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Katika juhudi za Serikali za kuhakikisha upatikanaji wa umeme wa uhakika, Tanzania na China zinashirikiana kutekeleza miradi mbalimbali ya uzalishaji wa nishati ya umeme kupitia gesi; mfano ukiwa ni mradi wa bomba la kusafirisha gesi kutoka Mtwara kuja Dar es Salaam kwa ajili ya uzalishaji wa nishati ya umeme. Mradi huo unaotarajiwa kukamilika mwishoni mwa mwaka huu, si tu utaiwezesha Tanzania kuzalisha nishati ya umeme ya kutosha kwa matumizi ya ndani pamoja na kuuza nje ya nchi, lakini pia umekuwa ukitoa ajira kwa Watanzania wengi. Mradi huu unatekelezwa sanjari na miradi mingine ya uzalishaji umeme kama ule wa usafirishaji kupitia korido la Kaskazini na Kusini {North East Power Transmission Line (400kV) Dar-Chalinze-Arusha and North West Power Transmission Line (220kV) Nyakanazi-Kigoma-Mpanda-Rukwa-Mbeya} na ya Kinyerezi.

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kama mtakavyoona, miradi ambayo Tanzania na China inaitekeleza ina umuhimu mkubwa katika kuchangia maendeleo ya Taifa letu na hivyo kusaidia katika juhudi za Serikali ya Tanzania za kupambana na umasikini. Kwa mfano, Kampuni ya Sichuan Hongda Group ya China inashirikiana na Shirika la Maendelo la Taifa (NDC) kutekeleza Miradi ya Makaa ya Mawe ya Mchuchuma na Chuma cha Liganga. Miradi hiyo yenye thamani ya Dola za Kimarekani Bilioni Tatu (USD 3 billion), inatarajiwa si tu itachangia katika kuhakikisha upatikanaji wa umeme wa uhakika, bali pia, inatarajiwa kutoa ajira zisizopungua elfu thelathini na tatu (33,000), kuongeza pato la Taifa la fedha za kigeni la Shilingi bilioni 1.73 kwa mwaka pamoja na kusaidia uanzishaji na uendelezaji wa viwanda vya chuma nchini.

Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano (TEHAMA)

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Utekelezaji wa Mradi wa Taifa wa Miundombinu ya TEHAMA Awamu ya III umeanza kutekelezwa. Mradi huu wa Taifa unalenga kusambaza miundombinu na kuiunganisha mikoa yote nchini kwa lengo la  kuwawezesha wananchi wa ngazi zote kupata habari za uhakika, za kuaminika na kwa wakati na pia, kupata huduma za TEHAMA kwa gharama nafuu na ufanisi.

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kadhalika, katika kuhakikisha jamii ya Watanzania inapata habari za uhakika na kwa wakati, Serikali ya Tanzania na China zilibadilishana Hati kuhusu kulipatia Shirika la Utangazaji la Tanzania (TBC) Gari Maalumu la Matangazo ya Runinga (TV Broadcast Truck). Makabidhiano ya gari hilo maalumu yatakayofanyika mwezi ujao (Aprili, 2014), pia yanajumuisha ujio wa timu ya wataalamu kutoka China kwa ajili ya kutoa mafunzo ya matumizi sahihi ya gari hilo la kisasa.

Ni dhahri kuwa, upatikanaji wa habari na huduma za mawasiliano na teknolojia unachangia kujenga jamii yenye maarifa na ufahamu, hivyo kuchochea maendeleo ya kijamii na kiuchumi.

Uchukuzi

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kwa upande wa sekta ya uchukuzi, Tanzania na China ziliingia Mkataba wa Ubia kuhusu kuendeleza Bandari na Eneo la Viwanda la Bandari kwenye eneo Maalumu la Uwekezaji la Bagamoyo. Hadi hivi sasa, hatua zilizofikiwa za utekelezaji wa Mradi wa Bandari ya Bagamoyo ni za kuridhisha. Ni mategemeo yetu kwamba kukamilika kwa miradi hiyo kutakuza uchumi wa nchi kwa kutoa nafasi nyingi za ajira kwa Watanzania katika viwanda hivyo vya uzalishaji na miradi hiyo pia itaimarisha sekta ya viwanda vya uzalishaji wa bidhaa zenye thamani za Tanzania na kuwezesha bidhaa hizo kuingia katika soko la ushindani la biashara nje ya nchi.

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kadhalika, katika kukuza ushirikiano wa karibu wa kuimarisha usalama, Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar imepokea vifaa vya kisasa vya kukagua makontena katika bandari ya Zanzibar. Vifaa hivi vinavyotumia teknolojia ya kisasa vimefika kwa wakati kwani vitasaidia katika kuimarisha usalama wa shughuli za bandari ikiwemo ukaguzi wa mizigo na bidhaa zinazoingia na kutoa kupitia Bandari hiyo. 

Afya

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Katika sekta ya Afya, Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar na Serikali ya China zimekubaliana kutekeleza mradi wa ukarabati wa hospitali ya Abdullah Mzee ya mjini Pemba.

Katika kufanikisha utekelezaji wa Mradi huo, hatua mbalimbali zimekwisha chukuliwa zikiwa ni pamoja na; mchakato wa kulipa fidia kwa wakazi wanaoizunguka hospitali hiyo kwa ajili ya kupisha ujenzi unaotarajiwa kuanza hivi karibuni.

Utalii

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Itakumbukwa kuwa, mwezi Machi, 2013, wakati wa ziara ya Mhe. Rais Xi Jinping nchini, alimkabidhi rasmi Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Kituo cha Kimataifa cha Mikutano cha Mwalimu Julius Nyerere (JNICC) kilichojengwa kwa msaada wa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Watu wa China.

Kituo hicho cha Mikutano ambacho ni kikubwa kuliko vyote jijini Dar es Salaam,

kimekuwa chachu ya kukuza na kutangaza Utalii wa Mikutano (Conference Tourism) kutokana na uwezo wa kuhudumia Mikutano ya watu zaidi ya elfu moja na mia nane (1,800) kwa wakati mmoja. Kadhalika, kituo hiki kina manufaa ya kiuchumi kutokana na kutoa nafasi za ajira kwa wananchi na kukuza mapato ya mara kwa mara kwa wakazi wa Dar es Salaam kutokana na biashara ya huduma hususan wakati wa Mikutano mikubwa ya kimataifa.

Utamaduni

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kama mnavyofahamu ‘Utamaduni ni Kioo cha Taifa’. Kwa kulitambua hilo, Serikali ya China iko mbioni kujenga kituo cha utamaduni cha Jamhuri ya Watu wa China nchini (Chinese Cultural Centre).

Lengo la kituo hicho ni kukuza utamaduni wa China kwa kujifunza lugha, michezo na sanaa mbalimbali za Kichina. Kadhalika, tayari Serikali ya China imeweza kufungua Taasisi ya Kujifunza lugha ya Kichina (Confucius Institute) katika Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam na Dodoma. Taasisi hizi hudhamini masomo ya lugha ya kichina nchini China na pia, kuhitimu lugha hiyo, huchukuliwa kama kigezo kwa nafasi za ajira katika makampuni ya Kichina yaliyopo Tanzania.

Mahusiano ya kijamii

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Kama nilivyokwisha eleza awali, mahusiano kati yetu na China ni ya kidugu. Hili linadhihirishwa na msaada wa vitu mbalimbali wenye thamani ya Shilingi milioni 30 uliotolewa na Ubalozi wa China nchini Tanzania kwa kushirikiana na Jumuiya ya Wafanyabiashara ya Wachina kwa waathirika wa mafuriko mkoani Morogoro mwezi Janauri, 2014.

Hii ni ishara tosha ya kuonyesha kuwa, ushirikiano uliopo na China, haujaishia tu katika ngazi za juu za Serikali, lakini pia katika ngazi za wananchi wa kawaida.

HITIMISHO

Ndugu Waandishi wa Habari, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Ujio wa Rais Xi Jinping nchini, mwaka jana umeimarisha mahusiano kati ya Tanzania na China hususan katika kipindi hiki tunachoelekea katika kilele cha kusherehekea maadhimisho ya miaka 50 tangu kuanzishwa kwa uhusiano wa kidiplomasia kati ya nchi hizi mbili. Maadhimisho haya ni ishara ya mshikamano wa kirafiki na udugu ulipo kati ya nchi hizi.

Hivyo, napenda kutumia fursa hii kuwasihi Watanzania kwa ujumla, kutumia vyema fursa za kibiashara na kiuchumi zinazotokana na mahusiano mazuri na ya muda mrefu kati ya nchi zetu.

Tanzania na China zimeazimia kuendelea kufanya juhudi za pamoja kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kirafiki, katika sekta mbalimbali na kuhimiza uhusiano na ushirikiano wa kiuchumi kwa manufaa ya pande zote mbili.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje waUjerumani ziarani nchini

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Ujerumani, Mhe. Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pichani), atafanya ziara ya kikazi ya siku moja hapa nchini tarehe 25 Machi, 2014 yenye lengo la kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kihistoria uliopo kati ya Tanzania na Ujerumani hususan katika masuala ya biashara na uwekezaji.

Mhe. Steinmeier ambaye atafuatana na ujumbe wa watu 80 wakiwemo wafanyabiashara kutoka makampuni makubwa ya Ujerumani, Wabunge, watendaji wa Serikali na Waandishi wa Habari, ataonana kwa mazungumzo na Mwenyeji wake Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (Mb.), Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa siku hiyo hiyo katika Hoteli ya Hyatt Regency, Dar es Salaam. Mazungumzo hayo yatafuatiwa na Mkutano wa pamoja kati yake na Mhe. Membe na Waandishi wa Habari (Press Conference).

Akiendelea na ziara yake, Mhe. Steinmeier atatoa hotuba na kujadiliana masuala mbalimbali na Wanafunzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam chini ya Kituo cha Mafunzo ya Sheria cha Afrika Mashariki kwa ushirikiano kati ya Tanzania na Ujerumani(TGCL) katika Ukumbi wa Nkrumah uliopo chuoni hapo.

Vile vile siku hiyo hiyo ya tarehe 25 Machi, 2014, Mhe. Steinmeier ataitembelea Kampuni ya STRABAG iliyopo Ubungo, Dar es Salaam. Kampuni hii kutoka Ujerumani inajishughulisha na ujenzi wa Barabara za Mabasi yaendayo kasi jijini Dar es Salaam. Akiwa eneo hilo Mhe. Steinmeir atakutana na Waziri wa Ujenzi, Mhe. John Magufuli pamoja na Wawakilishi wa Makampuni ya Ujerumani yaliyopo hapa nchini.

Akiwa Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere tayari kwa kuondoka nchini, Mhe. Steinmeier atakutana kwa mazungumzo na Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu kuhusu masuala ya Uwindaji haramu wa wanyamapori Afrika Mashariki.

IMETOLEWA NA: KITENGO CHA MAWASILIANO YA SERIKALI, WIZARA YA MAMBO YA NJE NA USHIRIKIANO WA KIMATAIFA, DAR ES SALAAM.

24 MACHI, 2014

Matukio mbalimbali ya ziara ya Binti Mfalme wa Sweden hapa nchini

Binti Mfalme wa Sweden, Mtukufu Victoria Lugrid Alice Desiree akisalimiana na mmoja wa Maafisa waliompokea alipotembelea Mradi wa Maji wa WaterAid unaofadhiliwa na nchi yake uliopo Kigamboni eneo la Tungi, Wilayani Temeke, Dar es Salaam. Anayeshuhudia katikati ni Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Temeke, Mhe. Bi. Sofia Mjema. Mtukufu Victoria alitembelea Tanzania kwa ziara ya kikazi ya siku tatu kuanzia tarehe 19 hadi 21 Machi, 2014.

Mmoja wa Vijana wa skauti akimvisha skafu Mtukufu Victoria alipowasili katika eneo hilo.

Mtukufu Victoria akisaini Kitabu cha Wageni mara baada ya kuwasili katika eneo laTungi- Kigamboni Wilayani Temeke kwa ajili ya kuangalia miradi ya maendeleo inayofadhiliwa na Sweden.

Mtukufu Victoria akifurahia mapokezi kutoka kwa wanafunzi wa Shule ya Msingi Tungi huko Kigamboni.

Mtukufu Victoria katika matukio ya uzinduzi wa miradi huko Kigamboni eneo la Tungi

Mtukufu Victoria akizindua huduma ya maji  safi ya bomba katika eneo la Tungi

Mtukufu Victoria akizungumza na wanafunzi wa Shule ya Msingi Tungi (hawapo pichani) alipotembelea shuleni hapo.

Wanafunzi wa Shule ya Msingi Tungi wakimsikiliza Mtukufu Victoria (hayupo pichani)

 ...Binti Mfalme akiwa Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere tayari kwa kuondoka nchini

Binti Mfalme wa Sweden, Mtukufu Victoria Lugrid Alice Desiree akizungumza na Mkurugenzi Msaidizi wa Idara ya Ulaya na Amerika katika Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Bibi Victoria Mwakasege huku Mkurugenzi wa Idara hiyo Balozi Dora Msechu akisikiliza wakati Binti Mfalme huyo  akijiandaa kuondoka Tanzania baada ya kukamilisha ziara yake ya siku tatu.

Picha ya pamoja

Mtukufu Victoria akiagana na Balozi Msechu mara baada ya kuhitimisha ziara yake nchini tarehe 21 Machi, 2014.

Balozi Msechu kwa pamoja na Bibi Mwakasege na Bi. Tunsume Mwangolombe (wa kwanza kushoto), Afisa Mambo ya Nje na Afisa kutoka Ubalozi wa Sweden wakisubiri ndege iliyombeba Mtukufu Victoria (haipo pichani) kuondoka katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere.

Picha na Reginald Philip

NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM

CENTRE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS

DAR ES SALAAM

A CONCEPT NOTE

AFRICA’S DISCONTENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: IS WITHDRAWAL THE BEST OPTION?

As part of its NATIONAL DIALOGUE PROGRAMME the Centre for Foreign Relations, in collaboration with the Association of Retired Tanzania’s Ambassadors, are organizing  a panel discussion on the topic: AFRICA’S DISCONTENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: IS WITHDRAWAL THE BEST OPTION? The discussion will take place on 27^th March, 2014 at the Mwalimu Nyerere Conference Centre at 10 a.m. – 13 p.m.

The discussion will look at the historical background of the International Criminal Court (ICC) focusing on the rationale for the Court’s existence, its establishment process and its comprehensive jurisdiction. At the same time the discussion will look at the Court’s institutional structure focusing on its membership and its organs such as the Assembly of States Parties, the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry. The discussion will also dwell on the Court’s functional procedures and analyze its performance so far.

The main debate will be on Africa’s dissatisfaction with the ICC, focusing on the issues and arguments for their dissatisfaction. The discussion will conclude by analyzing whether withdrawal from the ICC is the best option for the Africa’s States Parties. If not, what are the alternative options worth considering?

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Establishment

The International Criminal Court, commonly referred to as the ICC, is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

The ICC was created by the Rome Statute which was adopted on 17^th July, 1998 by a vote of 120 to 7, with 21 countries abstaining. The 7 countries that voted against the treaty were China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, the United States and Yemen.

The Rome Statute became a binding treaty on 11^th April, 2002, when the number of countries that had ratified it reached 60. The Statute legally came into force on 1^st July, 2002, and the ICC can only prosecute crimes committed after that date. The Court has its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, but its proceedings may take place anywhere. It is intended to complement existing national judicial systems, and may only exercise its jurisdiction when national courts are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute such crimes.

Currently, 122 states are states parties to the Statute of the Court, including all of South America, nearly all of Europe, most of Oceania and more than half of the countries of Africa. A further 31 countries, including Russia, have signed but not ratified the Rome Statute. Three of these states – Israel, Sudan and the United States – have informed the United Nation Secretary General that they no longer intend to become states parties and, as such, have no legal obligations arising from their former representatives’ signature of the Statute.

Forty one United Nations member states have neither signed nor ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute.

Performance

To date, the Prosecutor has opened investigations into eight situations in Africa: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); Uganda; the Central Africa Republic (CAR); Darfur; Sudan; Kenya; Coté d’Ivoire and Mali. The Court’s Pre – Trial Chambers have publicly indicted 36 people. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for 27 individuals and summonses to 9 others. Eight persons are in detention.

Proceedings against 28 are ongoing: ten are at large as fugitives, five have been arrested, but are not in Court’s custody, including one who is appealing an order referring the case against him to national authorities, seven are in the pre – trial phase, another four are at trial, one is appealing his sentence, and one individual’s acquittal is being appealed by the prosecutor. Proceedings against eight have been completed: four have had the charges against them dismissed, one has had the charges against him withdrawn, and three have died before trial.

As of December 2013, the Court’s first trial, the Lubanga trial (Thomas Lubanga Dyilo) in the situation of the DRC is in the appeals phase after the accused was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in prison and a reparations regime was established. The Katanga – Chui trial (Germain Katanga and Methieu Ngudjolo Chui) regarding the DRC was concluded in May 2012. Mr. Ngudjolo Chui was acquitted and released. The Prosecutor has appealed the acquittal. The decision regarding Mr. Katanga is due to be announced on 7^th February, 2014. The Bemba trial (Jean – Pierre Bemba) regarding the CAR is ongoing with the defence presenting its evidence.

The fourth trial in the case of Ruto – Sang (The Vice President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto and a Kenyan journalist, Joshua Arap Sang) regarding the situation in Kenya, began on 10^th September, 2013. The Kenyatta trial (that of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya) will begin on 5^th February, 2014. Another trial Chamber for the Banda trial (Abdallah Banda Nourain) in the situation of Darfur, Sudan, has been established with the trial scheduled to begin in May 2014. The decision on the confirmation of charges in the Laurent Gbagbo (the former President of Coté d’Ivoire) in the Coté d’Ivoire situation is pending after hearings took place in February 2013 and after the decision was adjourned to give the Prosecutor more time to present compelling evidence. The confirmation of charges hearing in the Ntaganda case (Bosco Ntaganda) in the DRC situation is scheduled to begin in February 2014.

AFRICA’S DISSATISFACTION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Africa’s discontent with the ICC started immediately following the ICC’s indictment of African leaders. In 2009 the ICC indicted the Sudan’s President, Omar al – Bashir, for genocide and war crimes in Darfur. Immediately the African Union asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to quash the ICC charges against Bashir on the grounds that they were inhibiting the peace process in Darfur. When the request was refused by the UNSC the AU requested that Bashir’s prosecution should be deferred by one year in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute, on the argument that he was instrumental in the peace process in Darful. This request was also not accepted by the UNSC.

In March 2011 Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto (who latter became President and Vice President respectively, following the 4^th March, 2013 general elections) were indicted by the ICC and charged with committing crimes against humanity following the 2007 – 2008 Post – Election Violence. On 23^rd January 2012, the Pre – Trial Chamber issued a Decision on the Confirmation of Charges, finding that there was sufficient evidence against the accused to allow the matter to proceed to trial.

Initially, following their indictment, both Kenyatta and Ruto made a point of officially cooperating with the Court, showing up in The Hague when required. It is critical to note that Kenyatta’s and Ruto’s indictment became an African issue only when they were elected president and vice – president, respectively, after the 4^th March, 2013 general elections. The implication here is that the Kenyan President would be the first sitting head of state to be prosecuted in the international court. This created a problem to African leaders, fearing that the Kenyatta’s prosecution would set a serious precedence with far – reaching implications for other African leaders.

At the national level, on 6^th September 2013, the Kenyan Parliament voted in favour of a motion urging the government to urgently undertake measures to immediately withdraw its membership from the Rome Statute. It was on the basis of the Parliament’s vote that the Government of Kenya requested the African Union Commission (AUC) to convene an Extra – Ordinary session of the African Union (AU) to deliberate on the Africa’s relationship with the ICC.

The Kenya’s request to hold an Extra – Ordinary Summit was endorsed by the AU Ministerial Consultative Meeting held in New York on 27^th September, 2013 in the margins of the 68^th Session of United Nation General Assembly (UNGA). The Ministerial meeting called on the AU member states to continue providing a strong political support to the Government of Kenya for the deferral for one year of the proceedings initiated against the President and the Vice President of Kenya by the UNSC in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute.

At the continental level, the AUC convened the Extra – Ordinary Summit on 12^th October, 2013 amid speculation that African states parties might withdraw en mass from the ICC. No specific recommendation on withdrawal was tabled during the session. However, it hovered in the air as the option of last resort.

Among the specific decisions made by the Extra – Ordinary Summit included the following:

-                     That no charges should commence or continue before any International Court or Tribunal against any serving AU Head of State or Government or anybody acting or entitled to act in such capacity during their term of office;

-                     That the trials of President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto should be suspended until they complete their terms of office;

-                     That Kenya should send a letter to the UNSC requesting for deferral, in conformity  with Article 16 of the Rome Statute, of the proceedings against the President and Deputy President of Kenya;

-                     To request the ICC to postpone the trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta and suspend the proceedings against Deputy President William Ruto until such time as the UNSC considers the request by Kenya for deferral; and

-                     That President Uhuru Kenyatta should not appear before the ICC until such time as the concerns raised by the AU and its Member States have been adequately addressed by the UNSC and the ICC.

At the international level, neither the ICC nor the UNSC heeded to the AU’s decisions.

CRITICAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

The following are some of the critical questions for discussion:

1.          Taking into consideration the objectives of the ICC’s existence, are the African leaders’ concerns with the ICC a true representation of the feelings of the ordinary Africans?

2.          What is it exactly that the African leaders are complaining against the ICC?

3.           Is the Rome Statute fundamentally flawed from the start on the issue of prosecuting sitting heads of state? If so, what should be done to rectify the situation?

4.          African leaders have decided to use the AU as the forum to discuss their grievances against the ICC. Is the AU an appropriate platform to discuss their discontents with the ICC?

5.          In the case of Kenyatta and Ruto the African States have recommended that their cases should be held in East Africa rather than in The Hague. Is this a call for a mere change of VENUE or a call for an alternative JUDICIAL MECHANISM for the prosecution?

6.          Given the fact that all Africa’s decisions and requests have not been heeded to by neither the ICC nor the UNSC, what is the way forward for Africa, particularly for the African States parties to the ICC? Is withdrawal the best option?

7.          What is the best way for the ICC to intervene to protect the victims in Africa amid the accusations that it is targeting the accused?

FORMAT FOR THE DISCUSSION

The discussion will be introduced by a group of three Panellists. The first will cover the ICC’s establishment process and the rationale for its existence. The second will focus on the Court’s jurisdiction, its institutional structure, as well as its functional procedures and its performance so far. The third Panellist will deal with the issue of African states’ discontent with the ICC, looking at the issues and the arguments involved before focusing on the way forward.

An open discussion will follow after the three presentations by the Panellists. The whole discussion will be co-chaired by a representative from the Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) and a representative from the Association of Retired Tanzania’s Ambassadors (ARTA).

  

** _______________ **

  

TAMKO LA TANZANIA KWENYE MAZUNGUMZO KUHUSU MGOGORO WA ZIWA NYASA

Mwenyekiti wa Jopo la Usuluhishi Rais Mstaafu wa Msumbiji Mhe. Joachim Chissano akifungua mazungumzo baina ya Tanzania na Malawi kuhusu mgogoro wa mpaka wa Ziwa Nyasa jijini Maputo Msumbiji.

Mazungumzo ya usuluhishi wa mgogoro wa mpaka baina ya Tanzania na Malawi kwenye Ziwa Nyasa yameanza leo Jijini Maputo, Msumbiji kwa kuzikutanisha pande zote mbili za mgogoro huo. 

Mazungumzo hayo yanayofanyika chini ya Jopo la Usuluhishi linaloongozwa na Rais Mstaafu wa Msumbiji Mhe. Joachim Chissano akisaidiwa na Mhe. Thabo Mbeki Rais Mstaafu wa Afrika ya Kusini na Mhe. Festus Mogae Rais Mstaafu wa Botswana yamewapa nafasi pande zote mbili kutoa tamko rasmi kabla ya usuluhishi kuanza. 

Ujumbe wa Tanzania kwenye mazungumzo hayo yanoyotarajia kuchukua siku mbili umeongozwa na Mhe. Bernard K. Membe, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Anna K. Tibaijuka, Waziri wa Ardhi Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Mhe. Frederick M. Werema, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Dr. David S. Mayunga, Naibu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Ardhi na wataalamu wengine kutoka taasisi mbalimbali za Serikali.

Aidha ujumbe wa Tanzania kwenye mazungumzo haya umejumuisha Wabunge wawili kutoka Kanda ya Ziwa ambao ni Mhe. Kapt. John Komba na Mhe. Deo Filikunjombe.

Chini ni tamko rasmi la Tanzania kama lilivyowasilishwa na Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa Mhe. Bernard K. Membe

STATEMENT BY HON. BERNARD K. MEMBE, TANZANIAN MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DURING THE MEDIATION WITH THE HIGH LEVEL MEDIATION TEAM OF THE TANZANIA- MALAWI BOARDER DISPUTE

(Transcribed…/)

SALUTATIONS:

Your Excellency President Joachim Chissano Chairperson of the High Level Mediation Team,

Your excellences,

I bring warm greetings from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania under the leadership of our President His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

We would also like to thank the high level Mediation Team,  for the wonderful hospitality that you have accorded to us since our arrival here in Maputo, Mozambique. My team and I have faith in you and your esteemed panel and that in the end we hope to resolve this problem.

Mr. Chair

My colleague from Malawi, has maintained by the authority of Article I (2) of the 1890 Anglo-German Agreement that the boarder between our two sister countries is in the shorelines. Now this is disputable. We have taken trouble to put in writing a few times to the High Level Mediation Team.

And today, in this meeting, we will be able to show, demonstrate and prove that in fact the only logical way to resolve this crisis between Malawi and Tanzania is to put that boarder on the median line.

….because even common sense can sense, that this lake was not man made, it was not made by the Government of Malawi for its people. It was created by our Almighty God for all of us, and the word us is Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.

There can be no person on this earth, who can take ownership of, saying all this is mine, particularly towards the international body of water that divides the three countries.

You just cannot have a claim to say all this water is mine. This is a common heritage; it is a heritage of three peoples from the time of its creation to date despite the intervention of the 1890 Anglo-German Treaty. It is a common heritage, and if you want, it is a triple heritage given by God for these three peoples to enjoy.

They have been doing so, they are doing so and they will continue to do so. Because it is their waters.

The best practice has shown, that the 1890 Agreement Article I (2), ….. were not conclusive,

…..and this team of expert that I bring with me today will just confirm that the 1890 of Anglo-German treaty article 1 (2), were not conclusive at all. The only article that makes conclusion and that must be taken seriously is Article VI…. of the Anglo German Treaty.

Article 6 raises the conviction that the two powers must sit, taking into the account the local conditions…

….And Chair let me tell you something that you may not know, the debate in 1890 was the hottest debate of the century. It was not easy to agree on the 1890 article II and I.

It just wasn’t easy. People had brains at that time. And the only caveat that they put in order to move forward, was to produce article VI in order to give powers of the then at that time, and of the current time to be able to sit and make rectification that fits the local conditions. Hadn’t there been an article six, we wouldn’t be here.

And this Article VI had been practiced; it was practiced in 1901, when the Songwe Dispute came about. It was practiced in 1914 in Lake Jipe, even after the signing of this treaty, which is controversial.

But elsewhere it was also practiced; …it was practiced in the 1958 by the Aglo Portuguese Agreement after the 1890, which shows you that the Article VI is so fundamental, so fundamental indeed that the powers had to form the joint boundary commission all the way to rectify the intolerable, and that is what we need. And this is what we ought to legitimately do.

We would have done this in the 1960s but how could we have done so when our two leaders of the two powers, that is Malawi and Tanzania, were caught up in their ideological liberation wars. While Tanzania was supporting the liberation wars in South Africa, the leader of Malawi was embarrassing apartheid in South Africa and we would never have anticipated that the two Presidents would seat together to resolve this crisis.

And then came the rhetoric’s, now my brother is quoting President Nyerere emphatically, I will produce an answer here, but before I do so, let me remind the chair that President Banda during the very same time, made very very explosive statements on the boundary not only did he mention the boundary is on the shoreline of Lake Malawi, far from it, he went beyond it, to even claim Ruvuma, Songea, Mbeya, Njombe, as his area, as this boundary of Malawi.

We don’t hear them now say that after this dispute they will now come to really undermine the statement of President Banda claiming all this area as their establishment. They don’t mention that. Why? ..because they sat down and said these political statements can not make boundaries. The political statements of leaders cannot make boundaries, but they are very selective they pick on what Nyerere said, not on what President Banda said.

(With chuckles) I wanted to ask my friend after this, are we going then to ask about Mbeya, Ruvuma, Songea, or you have negated them?

….But let me come to the answers to this question,  cause the issue here is the statements made by the political leaders or senior officials both before or after independence, give title to Malawi of the whole lake. I will read to make this point for my friend.

Your Excellencies,

The answer to this question is in the negative, our position and that is Tanzania’s Position, is established on the principle of international law that unilateral statements made by senior political leaders are not legally binding upon the parties. 

This principle, was established by the International Court of Justice in the boundary dispute between Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali as it is reported in the ICJ reports of 1996 in para 40 is relevant. 

“Since no agreement of this kind of conclusion between the parties, the chamber finds that there are no grounds to interpret the declaration made by Mali’s head of state on the 11th of April 1975 as a unilateral act with legal implication in regard to the present case.”

Therefore the Tanzanian position is that boundaries are not affirmed by statements by senior government officials, they are negotiated and agreed by way of treaties. The mandatory procedures, envisaged by the provision of the Article VI of the Anglo-German Agreement cannot be abrogated by the statements of senior political leaders. These conditions mandatorily require rectification of the boundary by agreement and in accordance of the local requirements.

This is the answer to the statements repeatedly put forward by my colleague with the respect of the statement made by our late President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

…Now…

As I have said, we will put the case, we will re iterate our position of whether the boundary required rectification as provided for under the Article VI of the 1890 Anglo – German Agreement.

We will put our case clear of where the demarcation of the boundary was determined by Article I(2) of the 1890 Agreement.

We will again emphasize our answers on whether the boundaries is within the shoreline or the median line and we have said it is right in the middle of the lake...... and the argument here is very clear. 

The 1964 AU declaration does not stop and let me repeat does not stop any country which is in dispute with its boarders to pursue this matter just because the declaration say you must respect individual boarders.

You have more than 21 cases at the AU of boarder disputes …..that the countries must seat down, and negotiate these issues. So the 1964 kind of declaration does not close the doors to resolve the boarder disputes by peaceful means.

As I have said, we have a lot to do today, and I end here for my statement with a quote on AU’s declaration.

Imetolewa na:

Kitengo cha Mawasiliano ya Serikali kwa Umma

Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa