STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR Dr. AUGUSTINE MAHIGA (MP), MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EAST AFRICAN COOPERATION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE SEVENTY THIRD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 27 SEPTEMBER 2018
Your Excellency, Ms.María Fernanda Espinosa
Garcés, President of
the General Assembly;
Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates;
Salutations
I wish to congratulate you madam President for your well-deserved
election to preside over the work of this 73rd Session of the
United Nations General Assembly. Your election to this prestigious
position as the fourth woman to this post in the history of this Organisation
and the first from Latin America, is not only a unique accolade to you but also
a testimony bestowed on you by the Member States of the Organisation.In this
regard, Tanzania pledges its full support to you and your entire Bureau.
I also wish topay special tribute to your predecessor, H.E.
MiroslavLajcak,thesuccessful leadership and commitment to the General Assembly
during hisPresidency. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
In the same manner, I commend Mr. Antonio Gutteres, UN Secretary
General for his tireless efforts in steering the work of ourOrganization,
especially in implementing the challenging reforms that are underway under his
stewardship.
Ferry accident in Tanzania
Madam President;
I am greatly honoured to address this Assembly on behalf of my
President, H.E. Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli who could not join his
colleagues in this Assembly following the tragic ferry accident which claimed
the lives of more than 200 Tanzanians and left many others wounded.We
appreciate the support of the international community during this difficult
moment. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.
Condolences
Madam President;
Before I proceed, let me express Tanzania’s condolences from my
Government to the United Nations Community and the entire world for the demise
of Dr. Kofi Annan,an outstanding humanitarian,a defender and advocate of
multilateralism. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, relatives and
friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace, Amen.
Theme: “Making the United
Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities
for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”
Madam President;
This year theme “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People:
Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable
and Sustainable Societies” is very captivating and timely in reinforcing global
governance to enhance the implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable
Development. This impetus from the United Nations comes, as it does, as
multilateralism is eroding and needs to be rescued with collective and
determined efforts.
Today, we are living in a world where most societies are neither
peaceful, equitable nor sustainable. The world is still facing many violent
conflicts and wars resulting in massive loss of lives, the threat of terrorism,
destruction of the environment, refugee influxes, displaced persons, and global
migration, hunger and poverty persists in many parts of the world. Addressing
these challenges requires a collective visionary leadership and governance.
Unfortunately, all these miseries are mainly human-made and can be
prevented if we resolve to take collective measures. Thus, continued and
meaningful cooperation among member states is a prerequisite in addressing all
challenges confronting the world. Through this platform, we can
accentuate the relevance of this body to all nations and the people.
Furthermore, we can shape global policies and norms to respond to different
needs of diverse cultures and societies. Thus, a call for the United Nations to
be relevant to all people is timely; and indeed, it is in accordance with
United Nations purposes and principles as enshrined in the United Nations
Charter.
Multilateralism
Madam President;
It is in facing these global challenges that multilateralism at
all levels of response and especially through the United Nations and its
institutions becomes essential to ensure peaceful, equitable and sustainable
societies. It is undeniable fact that every sovereign state in the
international system seeks to maximize its national interests and the wellbeing
of its citizens. However, acting alone and in isolation minimizes the potential
for realizing desired optimal results for nations acting in isolation.
Globalization and the intricate web of relations that have subsequently emerged
globally, renders a multilateral approach to issues of national,
regional and international concern essential and unavoidable.
Unfortunately, the world is, in recent times witnessing
multilateral institutions and principles being put to test. For example, the
World Trade Organisation (WTO), which has been the pillar and yardstick of rule
based fair global trading system is being now undermined. Climate change and
global warming which is already wrecking havoc to lives and property in all
regions regardless of national borders can only be addressed effectively
through multilateral approaches. Above all, it was the post Second World War multilateral
edifice and institutions which have given us the peace we witness today albeit
its shortcomings. We should be seeking to improve the shortcomings in the
multilateral system we have created for ourselves for a better world rather
than walking away from it.
Madam President;
Tanzania is unreservedly committed to the
multilateralism in pursuit of its national interests. It is also through
unmitigated multilateralism, that we will be able to address critical
global challenges such as terrorism, extremism, radicalism, climate change,
restrictive trade policies, trafficking in persons, drug abuse, pandemic
diseases, absolute and abject poverty, immigration dynamics and weapons of mass
destruction, just to mention a few. We are encouraged by the united chorus from
this General Assembly in the defence of multilateralism and in defence of the
purposes and principles of the United Nations which bind all of us together.
Diplomatic Means to Resolve Conflicts
Madam President;
We have seen diplomatic engagement working successfully to bring
adversaries to a roundtable to address their differences peacefully. Tanzania
wishes to underscore the continuous use of diplomatic means and roundtable
negotiations to address conflicts between and among nations. It is in this
regard, as a peaceful and stable country, Tanzania has assisted and witnessed
the value of brokering peace.
Tanzania welcomes the recent talks between the US and North Korea
on the Korean Nuclear Deal which paved the way for a recent signing of an
agreement between North Korea and Republic of Korea. We hope this dealand
others that have followed the same pattern will yield the anticipated positive
outcomes sooner than later including the long outstanding humanitarian issues
in the Korean Peninsula.These are some of the good examples of successful
outcomes following the diplomatic engagements around the world. All these
efforts have confirmed the value of dialogue in resolving and preventing
conflicts.
UNReforms
Madam President;
Reforms are necessary for continuity and change.For the decades,
this Assembly has continuously been discussing reforms of the United Nations
and its institutions to effectively respond to the current global economic,
political, social and changing security dynamics. This is the way to make our
Organisation alive and relevant.Currently, the reforms are focusing on the
United Nations development system, management, peace and security. My
delegation strongly believes that the reforms will be objective and balanced.
Tanzania supports the reforms of the United Nations, especially
the Security Council and reiterates the positionof Africa as containedin the
Ezulwini Consensus and SirteDeclaration of which we abide with. Inaddition,
Tanzania urges the international community to make the process transparent,
inclusive and democratic. All countries, poor and rich must have equal
participation and their voices and positions must be heard and taken seriously.
After many years of almost stalemated negotiations on the Security Council
Reforms, it is necessary to move the process forward, but in a manner that will
preserve the interests and positions of all parties concerned in a transparent
and consultative manner.
Madam President;
We ought to remind ourselves that the credibility of the United
Nations rests on a well-represented and responsive Security
Council. The Council is what it is today, and the reforms are not
advancing well because of the veto. If we are to make meaningful reforms, we
should first and foremost be bold enough to decide on the future use of the
veto. In this respect, my delegation wishes to stress that issues related to
the veto, expansion of membership and categories should be addressed as a
package and not in isolation.
Addressing Poverty
Madam President;
Over the years and with support of the international community and
development partners, Tanzania has successfully implemented various national
developmentplans which have significantly contributed to the reduction of
poverty. Furthermore, we are proud to have incorporated the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our national development agenda in
order to accelerate economic growth and eradicate poverty.
Drawing experiences from MDGs, it is apparent that implementation
of the SDGs requires adequate,sustainable and predictable funding especially to
least developed countries like mine. Thus, mobilisation of long-term innovative
public and private finance is key to the realisation of the goals.
Tanzania has embarked on systematic legal and administrative
reforms which have been constraining resource mobilization and accountability.
The Government has embarked on a relentless fight against corruption
and public service incompetence in order to increase accountability and
transparency. The Government has undertaken stringent measures to fight drug
and human trafficking, illicit trade in ivory and violent extremism. As
expected, these measures have generated determined resistance from vested
economic and criminal elements. This has necessitated the Government to take
appropriate countermeasures which have sometimes been misunderstood as too
restrictive. Despite these challenges, Tanzania will continue to respect the
rule of law, good governance, democracy and human rights as enshrine in our
Constitution.
Irrespective of the ongoing efforts on domestic resource
mobilization, developingcountries continue to experience a global systemic
issues on unfair tax regimes and illicit financial flows which contribute to
capital flight and denythese countries of their rightful income. We call upon
the international community to double the efforts in dealing with these
systemic issues through, among other things,establishing an intergovernmental
tax body under the United Nationstoaddressevasion and avoidance of taxes. This
will in turn,put at our disposal more resources for implementing the SDGs.
Peace Keeping Operations
Madam President;
Tanzania is among the top troop contributing countries to the UN
peacekeeping missions, and we have significantly contributed to the restoration
of global peace and stability.The number of our troops serving in different
missions currently stands at2,687 peacekeepers in six countries.
Despite these contributions, the participation of Tanzania in
peacekeeping operations has met some challenges including attacks and killings
of our peace keepers. The December 2017 attack wasthe worst in the last 25
years of peacekeeping history under the United Nations. We thank the UNSG and
all member states that extended condolences to Tanzania, the families, friends
and relatives of the demised. Our pain was relieved by many of you who
stoodwith Tanzania during thosedifficult day. May the souls of the departed
rest in eternal peace. Amen!
In view of the support received from the United Nations, we
commend the Secretary General for promptly forming a Special Investigation Team
which established the causes of the attack and actions to be taken to prevent
such hostile and cowardly incidences in the future. We are also gratified that
the recommendations of the investigation report will feature in the Declaration
of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations which Tanzania strongly
supports. Tanzania looks forward tothe implementation of these recommendations.
Situation of Refugees
Madam President;
I wish to remind this august assembly of the historical role
played by Tanzania in hosting and providing sanctuary to refugees for
decadesfrom Central and Southern Africa. We have done that out of humanity and
in line with the internationally agreed principles of admitting asylum seekers
and protecting refugees to which Tanzania is a signatory. Currently, we are
hosting more than 330,000 refugees, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic
Republic of Congo.Over the years, and decades of hosting refugees, Tanzania has
provided local integration and citizenship as a to more than 150,000 refugees
in one undertaking.
Apart from providing sanctuary to refugees, we have also been
involved in initiatives to resolve regional conflicts in the Great Lakes Region
that have the potential to increase refugee influxes. Currently, Tanzania has
also assisted the voluntary repatriation of more than 46,000 Burundian refugees
as of September 2018. The repatriation exercise was conducted transparently and
inclusively in collaboration with the Burundian authorities, the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees and other relevant development partners.Some
misguided Burundi exiles have criticised the exercise as involuntary when
actually there has been bottlenecks and constraints in implementing the
Tripartite Agreement due to lack of resources and mixed progress in the
political and security situation in Burundi.
It is in this regard, Tanzania appeals tothe international
community to facilitate and support the on-going voluntary repatriation of the
remaining Burundian refugees as consultations continue between Tanzania,
Burundi and UNHCR. It isequallyimportant to present a realistic assessment of
the evolving political and security situation in Burundi to permit the refugees
to make informed and objective decision on return to various parts of their
country.
Political Situation in the Democratic
Republic of Congo
Madam President;
The people of DRC continue to face challenges of peace, security
and stability. The country has continuously been destabilized by warring
factions and war lords that have created havoc leading to political instability
in some parts of the country especially in the Eastern part of the country.This
situation has not only denied DRC the opportunity to develop its country and
people, but has also underminedand threatened regional peace and security.
However, the current developments in addressing the protracted impasse, is
making some progress with the government’s commitment to hold the long-awaited
general elections later this year. The stability in DRC does not only
contribute to address the refugee problem, but also accelerates prospects for
regional trade, investment, and economic prosperity of the region. There could
not bea better way of expressing the hopes and aspirations of the people of DRC
than the statement delivered from this podium two days ago by H.E. Joseph
Kabila, President of the DRC.
To this end, it is necessary to continue with the UN stabilization
mission under MONUSCO and FIB in which Tanzania is a part in the eastern part
of the country until elections are concluded.
US Embargoes on Cuba
Madam President;
In 2015, many world leaders who gathered here welcomed the
historic and momentous decision taken by the United States of America and the
Republic of Cuba to restore diplomatic relations. To mostof us, it was the
beginning of a harmonious co-existence with high hopes and expectations.
However, with time, we feel and see that minimumefforts have been made to meet
such hopes and expectations by ultimately lifting the embargoes which
havecondemned the people of Cuba for many years. We hope that, through
the power of reason and the very diplomatic means that led to the
reestablishment of their ties, there will be the total removal of those
embargoes against Cuba, and that a new dawn of cooperation will follow not only
the two countries but the whole region of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Non-Self-Governing Territories
Western Sahara
Madam President;
The issue of self-determination for Western Sahara has entered a
new direction with Morocco re-joining the African Union, where is currently a
member of the Peace and Security Council. There is a renewed
opportunity for the United Nations and the UN Special Envoy of the
Secretary-General to work with the newly established AU Troika Mechanism of the
African Union to address the issue of Western Sahara. Tanzania
supports that initiative and we hope the process will gather momentum and reach
a new status very soon.
The Question of Palestine
Madam President;
Tanzania reiterates its position in resolving the conflict between
Israel and Palestine by supporting the two-state solution. We understand that
Palestine has theright to enjoy its independence and peace as is Israel in
accordance is entitled to peace and security according to the UN Charter. It is
our belief that it is within the creative and resourceful ability of Israel and
the determination of the Palestinian people to reach a peaceful solution that
will permit Israel and Palestine to co-exist in peace and security.
Conclusion
Madam President;
As I conclude, I reiterate Tanzania’s commitment to the principles
and purposes of the United Nations and to multilateralism. The
Government of H.E. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli stands ready all the time to
participate constructively in the search for peaceful solutions to conflicts
and to contributing to the UN mandates for conflict prevention and
peacekeeping. Above all, we look to this Organization to continue
championing the implementation for the sustainable development goals to support
Tanzania’s own efforts to achieve sustainable development goals as it heads to
a middle income status and industrialization.
May God bless us all; and God bless the
United Nations
I thank you for your kind attention.
