Mkutano na vyombo vya Habari kuhusu Uhusiano kati ya Tanzania na Kenya

Taarifa ya Mawaziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Tanzania na Kenya kuhusu utekelezaji wa maamuzi ya Wakuu wa Nchi Mhe. Rais John Pombe Magufuli wa Tanzania na Mhe. Rais Uhuru Kenyatta wa Jamhuri Kenya

  

Ndugu waandishi wa habari, mtakumbuka kuwa tarehe 28 Juni, 2017 Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ilitoa taarifa kwa umma kuhusu vikwazo vya kibiashara ambavyo nchi ya Kenya iliweka katika baadhi ya bidhaa kwa kipindi cha hivi karibuni. Katika taarifa ile, Serikali ya Tanzania ilibainisha dhamira yake ya kufanya mazungumzo na Serikali ya Kenya kwa lengo la kumaliza tofauti hizo za kibiashara baina ya nchi hizi mbili kwa kuzingatia taratibu za kibiashara tulizokubaliana katika Jumuiya yetu ya Afrika ya Mashariki.

Bidhaa za Tanzania ambazo ziliwekewa vikwazo na nchi ya Kenya ni unga wa ngano pamoja na gesi ya kupikia (LPG). Aidha, juhudi za awali za Serikali ya Tanzania kuona vikwazo hivyo vinaondelewa na Serikali ya Kenya kwa wakati hazikuzaa matunda. Hali hiyo ilipelekea Serikali ya Tanzania nayo kuchukua hatua.

Kwa kuzingatia mahusiano mazuri ya kindugu yaliyopo kati ya nchi zetu mbili na kwa kujali manufaa mapana ya Jumuiya yetu ya Afrika Mashariki, Viongozi Wakuu wa nchi hizi mbili Mhe. Dkt. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na Mhe. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya walizungumza na kukubaliana kuondoleana vikwazo hivyo maramoja, Vikwazo hivyo ni;

1.     Serikali ya Kenya kuondoa vikwazo kwa bidhaa za unga wa ngano na gesi ya kupikia (LPG) kutoka Tanzania.

2.     Serikali ya Tanzania kuondoa vikwazo kwa bidhaa za maziwa zinazozalishwa nchini Kenya.

3.     Serikali za Kenya na Tanzania kuondeleana vikwazo vyovyote vile ambavyo vinaweza kuathiri biashara ya bidhaa na huduma kati ya nchi zetu mbili.

4.     Sigara ni kati ya mambo yaliyojadiliwa. Hata hiyo utekelezaji wake utafuata taratibu za ndani

Hivyo, Viongozi Wakuu wa nchi zetu mbili waliwaelekeza Mawaziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Nchi wa Tanzania na Kenya, Mhe. Dkt. Augustine Philip Mahiga (Mb) na Dkt. Amina Mohammed, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa wa Jamhuri ya Kenya kuutarifu umma kwamba pande zote mbili zimekubaliana kumaliza tofauti hizo za kibiashara zilizojitokeza hapo awali.

Katika kutekeleza hilo, Mhe. Waziri Dkt. Amina Mohamed alimwalika Mhe.Waziri Dkt. Mahiga nchini Kenya tarehe 23 Julai, 2017 ambapo walifanya Mkutano wa Pamoja na waandishi wa habari kuutangaza uamuzi wa Viongozi Wakuu wa Kenya na Tanzania kuondoleana vikwazo hivyo maramoja.

Kufuatia makubaliano haya ya pamoja kati ya nchi hizi majirani ambazo ni waasisi wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, pia, tunapenda kutaarifu kwamba Mataifa haya mawili yamekubaliana kuunda Tume ya Pamoja ambayo itakuwa na jukumu la kuepusha tofauti za kibiashara kati ya Tanzania na Kenya pamoja na kutolea ufumbuzi changamoto za kibiashara kati ya nchi hizi mbili pindi zinapojitokeza. Tume hii itaongozwa na Mawaziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Tanzania na Kenya na kujumuisha Mawaziri wanaohusika na masuala yaJumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, Biashara, Fedha, Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi, Kilimo, Uchukuzi na Utalii wa nchi zote mbili.

Vilevile, Mawaziri hawa wataunda mfumo wa kupeana taarifa mara kwa mara kuhusu masuala yenye changamoto za kibiashara kwa lengo la kuepusha kujirudia kwa tofauti kama hizi. Ni matarajio yetu kuwa uamuzi huu wa pamoja utakuza zaidi mahusiano ya kibiashara baina ya nchi hizi mbili. Aidha, tunapenda kuwashukuru wafanyabiashara wa nchi zetu mbili kwa uvumulivu.

MASWALI NA MAJIBU BAADA YA TAARIFA YA MSINGI

SWALI:  Je ni kwa nini Kenya waliweka vikwazo hivyo hapo awali?

JIBU: Sababu za awali zilizotolewa na Serikali ya Kenya zilidai kwamba bidhaa hizo hazikidhi viwango vya ubora wa kimataifa. Hata hivyo, Wataalamu wa Tanzania wameihakikishia Kenya kuwa bidhaa za unga wa ngano kutoka Tanzania zina ubora  unaokubalika Kimataifa na huuzwa nchi nyingine za Jumuiya ya afrika Mashariki na Afrika ya Kati. Halikadhalika bidhaa ya gesi ya kupikia (LPG) inakidhi viwango vya ubora vya Kimataifa

.

SWALI: Nini msimamo wa Serikali ya Tanzania kuhusu tuhuma za baadhi ya wanasiasa wa Kenya na baadhi ya vyombo vya habari kuhusu Tanzania kuingilia uchaguzi wa Kenya.

JIBU: Tuhuma hizi hazina ukweli wowote, na hata nilipokuwa  nchini Kenya juzi niliona zimeripotiwa tena na vyombo vya habari vya Kenya. Naomba nikanushe tena kwa mara nyingine, kwa niaba ya Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, haijawahi, na wala haifikirii kuingilia maswala ya ndani ya nchi nyingine tunazoshirikiana nazo ikiwemo maswala ya uchaguzi. Hatujawahi kuingilia uchanguzi wa Kenya na hututegemei kufanya hivyo kwenye uchaguzi huu na chaguzi nyingine zozote. Naomba waandishi wa habari, kabla ya kuandika taarifa hizi, wazihakiki mara mbili, na watutafute kutoa ufafanuzi kabla ya kuwapelekea wananchi taarifa hizi za kupotosha. Natoa rai, tuwe waangalifu na walaghai wa nje  wanaotaka kutugombanisha. Nichukue pia fursa hii kuwatakia wananchi wa Kenya uchaguzi mwema wa amani na huru.

SWALI:  Je ni kwanini Tanzania inaonekana kuweka vizingiti vingi vya kibiashara ikilinganishwa na nchi nyingine kwenye ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki na Afrika ya kati kwenye siku za hivi karibuni? Je hii haitakwaza ukuaji wetu wa uchumi kama nchi?

JIBU: Hapana, hata kidogo. Serikali ya Tanzania inaendelea kuweka mazingira wezeshi ya biashara ili kuwezesha uchumi wa nchi kukua na kuendelea, kutokana na biashara ndani ya bara la Afrika na hususan ukanda wetu wa Afrika Mashariki na Kati. Tanzania kwa siku za hivi karibuni chini ya uongozi wa Rais wa Awamu ya Tano, Mhe. John Joseph Pombe Magufuli, imefanya mageuzi makubwa kwenye taasisi zetu za bandari na ushuru yaani TRA. Hatua hizi zinalenga kwenye kuziba mianya iliyokuwepo huko nyuma ambayo ilisababisha ukusanywaji hafifu wa mapato. Ni wazi sasa mambo yanaenda kwa uwazi zaidi na ushuru unatozwa na kukusanywa kwa wakati. Tuna hakika sasa changamoto hizi zimepungua na nchi jirani zitaendelea kufanya biashara na sisi bila vikwazo.

SWALI: Kabla ya kuunda hii kamati ya kutatua changamoto zilizojitokeza hivi karibuni, Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki imekua ikitatua vipi changamoto kama hizi za kibiashara hususan kwenye nchi zenye ushindani mkubwa kama Kenya na Tanzania?

JIBU: Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki imejiwekea misingi imara na muhimu ya kutatua changamoto pindi zinapojitokeza. Hivyo ukiacha jopo la wataalam wa Serikalini kuna Baraza la Mawaziri wa Biashara wa Jumuiya yetu ya Afrika Mashariki  ambao pia huweza kupendekeza ufumbuzi wa changamoto mbalimbali kwa wakuu wa nchi ili kutatua changamoto hizi. Lakini kutokana na ukaribu uliopo baina ya Tanzania na Kenya, hili la sasa tumelitatua kwa haraka na kwenda mbele zaidi kuunda tume ya mawaziri wa nchi zetu mbili ili huko baadae tuweze kutatua masuala kama haya mapema sana kabla ya kuathiri biashara kati ya nchi zetu mbili.

Ni dhahiri kwamba nchi zetu mbili ni jirani na tunalindwa na Itifaki za Jumuiya yetu ya Afrika Mashariki, lakini pia tuna ushindani kati yetu. Na ili tupate maendeleo ni lazima kuweka ushindani wenye tija kwa manufaa ya ukanda wetu na wananchi wetu. Japo kuwa Kenya ipo kwenye kundi la nchi zenye kipato cha kati, uchumi wa Tanzania unakua kwa kasi kubwa na ni hali ya kawaida kwa changamoto kama hizi kujitokeza pindi nchi zinapokuwa katika ushindani wa kiuchumi.Kwa namna ya pekee naomba kusifu tena hekima za Viongozi wetu wa Juu kwa kutatua changamoto hizi kwa wakati.

Imetolewa na:

Kitengo cha Mawasiliano ya Serikali,

Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki,

Dar es Salaam, 24 Julai, 2017

Waziri wa mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki Mhe.Balozi Augustine Mahiga wa kwanza kulia akitoa ufafanuzi kwenye mkutano na vyombo vya habari kuhusu utekelezaji wa maamuzi ya Wakuu wa Nchi Mhe. Rais John Pombe Magufuli wa Tanzania na Mhe. Rais Uhuru Kenyatta wa Jamhuri ya Kenya katika masuala mbalimbali ya Uhusiano kati ya Tanzania na Kenya.
Anayefuata katika picha ni Balozi Innocent Shiyo Mkurugenzi Idara ya Afrika, kushoto kwake Bw.Peter Sang, Kaimu Balozi wa  Kenya Nchini, katika Ukumbi wa Mikutano wa JNICC, Jijini Dar es Salaam tarehe 24 Julai, 2017

Sehemu ya waandishi wakiwa katika Mkutano huo.

Wanaarusha wafurika katika amsha amsha ya kuchangamkia fursa za soko la EAC

Chuo cha Ufundi Arusha

Mgeni Rasmi ambaye ni Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Arusha, Bw. Richard Kwitega (kushoto) akizungumza jambo na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Taasisi ya Sekta Binafsi (The Foundation for Civil Society-FCS), Bw. Francis Kiwanga alipowasili kwenye ukumbi wa mikutano wa Chuo cha Ufundi Arusha kwa ajili ya kufungua kongamano la siku moja la kuhamasisha vijana kuchangamkia fursa za kibiashara katika nchi za Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki. Kongamano hilo ambalo lilikuwa na kaulimbiu "Chungulia fursa Boda to Boda" liliandaliwa kwa ushirikiano baina ya Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, FCS na Clouds Media kwa udhamini wa Trademark East Africa.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Taasisi ya Sekta Binafsi, Bw. Francis Kiwanga akitoa neno la ukaribisho kwa wageni waalikwa ambapo pia alieleza sababu za kufanya kampeni ya kuwahamasisha vijana kuchangamkia fursa za EAC. Bw, Kiwanga alisema kwa mujibu wa tafiti zilizofanywa na FCS na Chuo Kikuu cha Dar Es Salaam zimebaini kuwa wastani wa vijana asilimia 11 katika nchi za EAC hawana ajira na asilimia 59 hawana taarifa kuhusu fursa zilizopo katika Jumuiya hiyo. Hivyo, Kongamano hilo ni kwa ajili ya kutoa elimu kuhusu fursa zilizopo ili vijana waweze kujiajiri.

Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Arusha, Bw. Richard Kwitega akisoma hotuba ya ufunguzi ambapo alisisitiza umuhimu wa vijana kung'amua fursa mbalimbali na kubuni bidhaa zitakazokidhi soko la EAC lenye watu zaidi ya 150.

Sehemu ya umati wa watu uliohudhuria kongamano hilo wakisikiliza kwa makini hotuba ya Mgeni Rasmi.

Mkuu wa Chuo cha Ufundi Arusha, Dkt. Richard Kaisi akitoa neno ambapo alihimiza vijana kujifunza elimu ya ufundi wa aina mbalimbali ili waweze kuwa wabunifu wazuri kutokana na teknolojia ya kisasa.

Mchumi kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Bw. Justin Kisoka akitoa maelezo kuhusu sheria, kanuni na taratibu za kufuata endapo mtu anataka kufanya biashara katika nchi za Afrika Mashariki. Aidha, alisisitiza umuhimu wa vijana kujiunga katika vikundi ili iwe rahisi kupata huduma kama za mikopo.

Watu wa makundi mbalimbali walishiriki kongamano hilo wakiwemo watu wenye mahitaji maalum. Pichani mlemavu wa masikio akipatiwa tafsri kwa lugha ya alama wa masuala yanayojiri katika shughuli hiyo.

Huwezi kufanya biashara katika nchi za EAC bila ya kuwa na Hati halali ya kusafiria. Pichani ni Bw. Suleiman Masoud, Afisa wa Uhamiaji akitoa maelezo namna ya kupata Hati ya Kusafiria. 

Mlemavu wa macho akitoa maoni yake na kuuliza swali kwa watoa mada. Alidai kuwa taasisi za Serikali ndio zinakwamisha na kuwachelewesha Watanzania wasiweze kuchangamki ipasavyo fursa za EAC kutokana na ukiritimba usiokuwa na sababu.

Kama kawaida ujumbe ulifikishwa kwa njia tofauti. Pichani ni wasanii wa bendi ya Cocodo wakicheza wimbo wa kuhamasisha biashara za kuvuka mipaka.

Uwanja wa Sheikh Amri Abeid

Vijana walifuatwa katika maeneo yao mtaani ili kufikishiwa neno la kuwahamasisha kufanya biashara za kuvuka mipaka ndani ya EAC. Pichani ni Mtaalmu wa Masuala ya Afrika Mashariki kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje, Bw. Abel Maganya akiwahamasisha vijana wanaofanya biashara zao kando ya Uwanja wa Sheikh Amri Abeid.

Sehemu ya watu waliohudhuria wakisikiliza neno kutoka kwa Bw. Maganya.

Hamasa kwa njia ya muziki

Soko la Mbauda

Bw. Kisoka akitoa neno. Alisisitiza vijana waondoe khofu na wajiunge katika vikundi na aSerikali ipo nyuma yao kuwaunga mkono.

Wafanyabiashara wa Soko la Mbauda wakisikiliza ujumbe kwa makini.

Binti huyo akitoa ujumbe kwa njia ya ngojera ili mradi watu wahamasike na kuona umuhimu wa kujikwmua kimaisha kwa kufanya biashara za kuvuka mipaka.

Kinanda na gitaa vilipigwa kwa ustadi mkubwa na kutoa ujumbe kwa Watanzania wasibweteke kwni fursa zipo lukuki ktika nchi za Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki

Amsha amsha ya vijana kuchangamkia fursa za Soko la EAC yashika kasi

ROCK CITY MALL, MWANZA

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Taasisi ya Sekta Binafsi (The Foundation for Civil Society- FCS), Bw. Francis Kiwanga akitoa neno la ukaribisho kwa wageni waalikwa katika Kongamano la siku moja la kuwahamasisha vijana kuchangamkia fursa za Soko la Pamoja la Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki (EAC). Kongamano hilo lilifanyika kwenye ukumbi wa Rock City Mall jijini Mwanza tarehe 19 Julai 2017. 

Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Nyamagana, Mhe. Mary  Onesmo Tesha ambaye alikuwa Mgeni Rasmi kwa niaba ya Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mwanza, Mhe. John Mongella akisoma hotuba ya ufunguzi kwenye kongmano la kuwhamasisha vijana kufanya biashara za kuvuka mipaka ya nchi za EAC. Mhe. Tesha aliwasihi vijana waondoe hofu na wajiunge katika vikundi ili waweza kufanya biashara kwa urahisi. Aliahidi kutoa milioni moja kwa kikundi kilichoundwa hapohapo kwa uratibu wa Mwkilishi wa Cloud Media, Bw. Samsonight Odera

Bi. Tesha akiendelea na hotuba yake.

Mchumi kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Bw, Justin Kisoka akiwaeleza vijana wa Mwanza waliofurika kwenye ukumbi wa Rock City Mall sheria, kanuni na taratibu za kufuata kwa yeyote anayetaka kuanza biashara ya kuvuka mipaka ya nchi za EAC.

Mtaalamu wa Msauala ya EAC, Bw. Abel Maganya akitoa ufafanuzi wa masuala mbalimbali kuhusu kufanya biashara ndani ya Jumuiya ya EAC ikiwemo namna ya kupata cheti cha uasili na hati za kusafiria.

Mbinu mbalimbali zilitumika kufikisha ujumbe wa umuhimu wa kufanya biashara katika nchi za EAC. Hapa vijana wa Vipaji Foundation wakionesha kwa kutumia igizo baaadhi ya bidhaa zinazoweza kuuzwa katika nchi za EAC.

Mjasiriamali aliyefanikiwa ambaye pia ni maaruku wa kutoa mihadhara ya mbinu za kufanya biashara, Bw. James Mwang'amba akiwasilisha mada kuhusu mbinu za kuanza biashara na kuiendesha hadi ikakua kubwa.

Sehemu ya umati wa watu walioshiriki kongamano.

BABATI, MANYARA

 Msafara ulipokuwa unatokea Mwanza kwenda Arusha, ulisimama kwa muda Babati na kuongea na Wanababati namna ya kufanya biashara katika nchi za EAC.

Mkazi wa Babati akiuliza swali ili apate ufafanuzi kabla ya kuanza kupeleka bidhaa zake nchini Kenya

Vijana wa Vipaji Foundation wakitoa somo kwa Wanababati kupitia sanaa. 

Wanababati wakisikiliza kwa makini ujumbe wa namna ya kufanya biashara ya kuvuka mipaka.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki Dkt. Augustine Mahiga (Mb.) na Mwenyekiti wa organi ya Siasa,Ulinzi na Usalama ya SADC, akifungua Mkutano wa 19 ngazi ya Mawaziri katika Ushirikiano wa Masuala ya Siasa, Ulinzi na Usalama katika ukumbi wa Mikutano wa JNICC, Dar es salaam, tarehe 20 Julai,2017. Dkt. Mahiga pia alitumia fursa hiyo kuwakaribisha Mawaziri wote waliohudhuria Mkutano huo.

Katibu Mtendaji wa SADC, Mhe. Dkt. Stergomena LawrenceTax naye akihutubia kwenye mkutano huo mara baada ya kufunguliwa.

Viongozi mbalimbali kutoka nchi wanachama wa SADC wakisikiliza kwa makini Hotuba iliyotolewa na Dkt. Mahiga Hayupo pichani.

Dkt. Augustine Mahiga (Mb.) akipeana mkono wa pongezi na Dkt. Stergomena L.Tax mara baada ya kumaliza kutoa hotuba ya Ufunguzi

Meza Kuu ikiongozwa na Dkt. Augustine Mahiga, Dkt. Stargomena Tax (wa tatu kutoka kushoto), Katibu Mkuu wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki Dkt. Aziz Mlima, Mkurugenzi wa Masuala ya Siasa, Ulinzi na Usalama wa SADC, Jorge Cardoso (wa pili kutoka kushoto), Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Mawasiliano na Msemaji wa Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki Bi. Mindi Kasiga (wa kwanza kushoto) wakiimba wimbo wa Taifa.

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REMARKS

 BY

HON. DR AUGUSTINE MAHIGA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EAST AFRICAN COOPERATION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE SADC ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

AT

THE 19TH MEETING OF THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE OF THE ORGAN (MCO) ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY   COOPERATION

20 JULY 2017

                                                    

Hon. Georges Rebelo Chicoti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Angola and Incoming Chairperson of the Organ;

Hon. Oldemiro Julio Marques Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mozambique and Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ;

You Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, The Executive Secretary of SADC

Distinguished Senior Officials and  Delegates from SADC Member States

Partners from the Media;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Morning

 It is my greatest pleasure to warmly welcome you to the 19^th Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation which is being held here at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, named after Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, The Father of the Nantion and Father of the Southern Africa Liberation and one of the Founding Fathers of the Southern Africa Development Community. He was a moving force for the independence of most of the our countries. Mwalimu Nyere worked together with His Colleagues in a united front for common security and for majority rule in most of the Southern African Countries and this was a forerunner of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Honourable Ministers,

ladies and Gentlemen,

I am particularly happy to welcome the Ministers who are visiting Dar es Salaam for the first time. I trust that if not now, you may have the opportunity to return for a more leisurely stay in the future as Tanzania has always been your second home.  We are delighted to have you in our midst at this meeting, which marks yet another important footstep towards deeper integration of our region and a near completion of our work within the Organ before handling the chair during the 37^th Summit, which we will attend in the Republic of South Africa in August 2017.

We trust that you will find the arrangements put at your disposal conducive to the successful deliberations and your usual comfort.

I wish to take this opportunity to convey special thanks to the Secretariat and my team for their excellent preparations and coordination that have made the convening of this meeting a success.

Honourable Ministers,

ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me Honourable Ministers, to also relay fraternal greetings from H.E. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and current Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation who strongly believes that our meeting here today is a clear demonstration of our collective and unwavering commitment towards building a regional block that is peaceful, stable, secure, prosperous and united.

Honourable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen

Before I begin my remarks, allow me Your Excellencies, to pay homage to one of the founding fathers of SADC and former President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, who recently passed away.  President Masire served as the Chairperson of SADC’s predecessor the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, for 16 consecutive years between 1980–1996. I would thus like to propose that we observe a moment of silence in memory of this gallant son of the Region.

Honourable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen

Since our last meeting in August 2016, there has been relative peace and stability in the region. This was accompanied by a number of commendable milestones in the political sphere. Among others, the SADC Oversight Committee for the Kingdom of Lesotho was operationalised and deployed to assist the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the reform process aimed at facilitating the realization of lasting peace and political stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Since October 2016, the Oversight Committee has undertaken 4 Assessment Missions to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Furthermore, the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) deployed two electoral assessment missions to engage stakeholders in Lesotho in order to assess the Kingdom’s preparedness to hold democratic elections.

With SADC support, the Kingdom of Lesotho successfully conducted National Assembly Elections on 3^rd June 2017. It is our hope that this will immensely contribute to durable peace, stability and tranquillity in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The deployment of the SEAC and the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) adequately covered the electoral process, which greatly contributed to the peaceful elections, leading to a new coalition government in the country. This is indeed commendable.

It is therefore, my singular honour to welcome the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho Honourable Lesego Makgothi, and his delegation to this meeting.

Honourable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen

With regards to the DRC, a number of Assessment Missions were undertaken. These include the February 2017 Technical Assessment Mission, the March 2017 SEAC Goodwill Mission, the April 2017 SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika and the Double Troika Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries Assessment Missions. These missions greatly assisted in providing the Region’s leadership to preserve and maintain peace and political stability in the DRC.

Let me highlight that in spite of these efforts, the situation in the DRC remains very fragile and complex, calling for a redoubling of efforts from all quarters, in particular from the Congolese leadership and citizens at large, to work together to overcome the political, constitutional, economic, security and humanitarian challenges that the country is facing.  

Honourable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen

decisionsCenciesn from ely contribute to lasting peace and stabilty he secretariat to undertake

There has also been notable progress regarding the implementation of your committee’s 2016 decisions such as the commemoration of the Southern Africa Liberation Day; the request from the Union of Comoros and the Republic of Burundi to join SADC; the mechanism to honour the Founding Fathers of SADC, including a proposal to construct a Statue of His Excellency, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania at the African Union Commission. These will be tabled during this meeting for our discussion.

Among others, the meeting will also review progress and consider the SADC Common Position on the implementation of the AU Draft Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons; the SADC Standby Force Command, Control, Communication and Information System Concept; the Design and Layout of the Regional Logistics Depot  as the Executive Secretary indicated in her remarks and the Memorandum of Understanding between SADC and the Russian Federation in the Area of Military and Technical Cooperation, just to mention a few.

Honourable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me to emphasize the importance of the Regional Logistics Depot. Following the attainment of the Full Operational Capability with the successful conduct of the Exercise AMANI AFRICA in 2015, the ability and credibility of Regional Economic Communities and the AU, in addressing African problems with African solutions will be tested. The construction of the infrastructure required to assist the operations of the SADC Standby Force is therefore very critical. In this regard, SADC must take leadership and be one the first Regional Economic Community to establish a fully functional Logistics Depot. This is particularly so, considering that our region will be on Standby as part of the Africa Standby Roaster, during the period 01 January to 30 June 2019.

Let me also inform you that in line with Article 7 (1) of the SADC Protocol Against Corruption, State Parties undertook to develop and harmonise their policies and domestic legislation for the attainment of the purpose of this Protocol.  Thus, I am pleased to inform you that the inaugural meeting of the SADC Anti-Corruption Subcommittee was held and their recommendations will be considered during this meeting. I urge Member States to continue implementing provisions of the SADC Protocol Against Corruption, and to report progress achieved on an annual basis, with specific reference to the status of domestication.

With regards to the implementation of the UNIVISA, there has been little progress, and its piloting status stalled since 2008, hence the urgent need for the Piloting Group to finalise this.  As you will agree with me, facilitation of movement of persons and goods, is one of the tenets of regional integration and economic development. Therefore, the relaxation of VISA requirements among Member States and ultimately the implementation of the Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons in the region, is critical for our citizens to enjoy the benefits of regionalism and in so doing contribute to the realisation of the dreams of our founding fathers regarding true and deeper integration. 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Before I conclude my remarks, I wish on behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania to express sincere appreciation and gratitude to you Excellencies and the entire SADC Secretariat for the valuable support you rendered to us for the past twelve months as Chair of the SADC Organ. We sincerely thank you so much. Asanteni sana

One of the important things you need to know before I finally now conclude my remarks is that Tanzania is home to some of Africa's most famous national parks and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the Serengeti. For those who want to take a break and spend some time soaking up the sun, the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar beckon. Off Pemba and Mafia islands is a whole other kind of natural wonder, one most appreciated by the scuba divers and snorkelers who come here from around the world to experience the coral gardens, colorful fish, and crystal clear waters.If time allows, I invite you to visit them. For the sea lovers the spice islands of Zanzibar are only 70 minutes by boat.

In conclusion allow me to thank you for your kind attention. I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Merci beau coup

Muito Obrigado

Asante Sana.