Hotuba ya Mhe. Rais Kikwete

 

 

HOTUBA YA MHE. DKT. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, RAIS WA JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA, KWA WANANCHI, TAREHE 30 JUNI, 2012

Ndugu Wananchi,

          Kama ilivyo ada naomba nianze kwa kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu mwingi wa Rehma, kwa kutujaalia uzima na kutuwezesha kumaliza nusu ya kwanza ya mwaka 2012 salama.  Kwa kutumia utaratibu wetu wa kuzungumza nanyi kila mwisho wa mwezi, leo napenda kuzungumzia mambo mawili. Jambo la kwanza ni suala la usafirishaji haramu wa binadamu nchini na la pili ni la mgomo wa madaktari. 

Usafirishaji Haramu wa Binadamu Nchini

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Bila ya shaka mtakuwa mmezisikia taarifa za tukio la kushtusha na kuhuzunisha la kukutwa maiti 43 za watu wasiojulikana, zilizotupwa katika kichaka kilichopo kijiji cha Chitego, Wilayani Kongwa, Mkoa wa Dodoma tarehe 26 Juni, 2012.  Pamoja na maiti hao, walipatikana watu 84 wakiwa hai lakini wote wakiwa wamedhoofu na baadhi yao wakiwa mahututi.  Hatua za haraka zilichukuliwa kuwasafirisha watu hao hadi Dodoma ambapo wale waliokuwa mahututi walifikishwa Hospitali Kuu ya Mkoa wa Dodoma kwa matibabu na wengine walihifadhiwa katika Kituo cha Kati cha Polisi, Dodoma.  Maiti 22 zilipelekwa Dodoma na 21 zilipelekwa Morogoro kuhifadhiwa.

Taarifa zilizopatikana kutoka kwa wale walionusurika zimebainisha kuwa watu hao ni raia wa Ethiopia ambao walikuwa safarini kwenda Malawi na baadaye Afrika ya Kusini ambako wangetengenezewa utaratibu wa kwenda kuishi Marekani na Ulaya.  Kwa mujibu wa maelezo yao, safari yao ilianza miezi mitano iliyopita.  Mwezi mmoja waliutumia Ethiopia na miezi minne waliitumia Kenya kabla ya kuletwa Arusha ambako walipakiwa kwenye lori na kuanza safari ya kuelekea Malawi lakini ikaishia Chitego.  Lori walilopanda lilikuwa limezibwa kabisa na hivyo kusababisha vifo kwa kukosa hewa.

Tukio la Chitego, Dodoma la wahamiaji haramu kukamatwa na wengine kukutwa wamekufa si la kwanza kutokea hapa nchini.  Kwa jumla, katika kipindi cha takriban miaka 10 sasa kumekuwepo na tatizo kubwa la wahamiaji haramu kuingia nchini.  Kwa mfano, kati ya mwaka 2005 na hivi sasa jumla ya wahamiaji haramu 19,683 wamekamatwa.  Karibu wote wameshaondoshwa nchini na hivi sasa wapo karibu watu 1,500 tu magerezani wanaotumikia adhabu na kusubiri kurejeshwa makwao.  Wengi wa watu hao wanatoka Ethiopia na Somalia na baadhi kutoka Pakistan na Bangladesh.

Wahamiaji haramu wamekuwa wanaingia nchini kwa kupitia njia zisizo rasmi.  Wapo wanaotumia nchi kavu hasa kupitia mikoa ya Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro na Tanga.  Na, wapo wanaopitia baharini kwa kutumia fukwe za Pemba, Unguja na za mikoa ya ukanda wa Pwani ya Tanzania Bara yaani Tanga, Pwani, Lindi na Mtwara.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kwa mujibu wa kauli zao, watu hao wamekuwa wanaeleza kuwa hawaji nchini kuhamia bali wao ni wapita njia tu.  Wanaelekea Afrika ya Kusini ambako wameahidiwa kuwa watatengenezewa mipango ya kuhamia Marekani na Ulaya.  Watu hao pia wamethibitisha kuwepo kwa watu maalum wanaojihusisha na usafiri wao tangu nchi watokako na zote wanazopitia mpaka kule waendako.  Aidha, wamesema kuwa wao wanawalipa watu hao ili wawasafirishe na hakika si kiwango kidogo.  Kwa jumla ni kwamba hili si suala la uhamiaji haramu bali ni la biashara haramu ya kusafirisha binadamu.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kufuatia vyombo vyetu vya usalama kuwa makini na watu wengi kukamatwa ndipo wasafirishaji walipobuni njia za kuwasafirisha kama mizigo.  Makontena, malori yaliyofunikwa nyuma na matenki ya mafuta na ya maji yamekuwa yanatumika kwa ajili hiyo.  Usafiri wa aina hiyo ndiyo uliosababisha vifo vilivyotokea Dodoma tarehe 26 Juni, 2012 na vya watu 21 vilivyotokea mwezi Desemba, 2011 Mkoani Morogoro, na vile vya watu 12 vilivyotokea katika matukio mawili ya Mkoa wa Mbeya, mwezi Mei, 2012.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Tarehe 27 Juni, 2012 nilikutana na wakuu wa vyombo vya ulinzi na usalama nchini kuzungumzia tukio la Chitego na suala zima la biashara hii haramu na hasa mbinu mpya inayotumiwa na wasafarishaji.  Nilitoa pongezi kwa vyombo vya dola kwa kazi nzuri waifanyayo kudhibiti shughuli za biashara hii haramu hapa nchini.  Tulielewana kuwa waendelee kuimarisha udhibiti huo kwa lengo la kukomesha kabisa biashara hii.

Niliagiza pia kwamba kikundi kazi nilichokiunda mwaka 2006 kushughulikia ujambazi sasa kielekeze sehemu ya nguvu zake kukabili tatizo hili. Aidha, kwa pamoja tulikubaliana kuwa nchi yetu ishirikiane na wenzetu wa Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Msumbiji na Afrika ya Kusini kutambua mawakala na kuwabana kwa mujibu wa sheria.  Tayari nimeshaanza kufanya mawasiliano na baadhi ya Wakuu wa Nchi hizo kuhusu ushirikiano huo.  Nashukuru wote wameafiki nchi zetu zishirikiane kwa pamoja kuvunja mtandao huu mchafu na kutokomeza biashara hii haramu na inayodhalilisha utu wa mwanadamu.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Napenda kuchukua nafasi hii kuwashukuru wenzetu, wakazi wa vijiji vya Chitego na Mkoka kwa kazi nzuri walioifanya. Kwa kweli, wenzetu wameonesha uzalendo wa hali ya juu kwa kutoa taarifa mapema juu ya jambo lenyewe, lakini pia wameonesha utu kwa kuwajali wageni waliokumbwa na janga hili. Naushukuru pia uongozi wa Mkoa wa Dodoma na Morogoro ikiwa ni pamoja na vyombo vya ulinzi  na usalama kwa kulishughulikia tatizo hilo kwa umakini mkubwa.   Nimefurahishwa sana na ushirikiano ulioonyeshwa na vyombo na taasisi mbalimbali za Serikali katika kushughulikia suala hili.

Mgomo wa Madaktari

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Jambo la pili ni kuhusu mgomo wa Madaktari unaoendelea nchini hivi sasa.  Nilipozungumza na Wazee wa Dar es Salaam katika Ukumbi wa Diamond Jubilee tarehe 12 Machi, 2012, kuhusu mgomo wa Madaktari uliokuwa unaendelea wakati ule pamoja na kuelezea chimbuko la mgomo na hatua iliyokuwa imefikiwa, nilielezea mazungumzo yangu na viongozi wa Chama cha Madakari wakiwemo pia viongozi wa Jumuiya ya Madaktari.  Nilitoa taarifa kuwa tumeelewana kuwa watasitisha mgomo na watarudi kwenye meza ya majadiliano na Serikali.  Siku ile pia nilielezea matumaini yangu kuwa mgomo ule utakuwa wa mwisho katika nchi yetu.  Bahati mbaya matumaini yangu hayo hayakuwa na hivi sasa tunashuhudia tena wagonjwa wakiteseka, kuhangaika na wengine kufa kwa sababu ya kukosa huduma wanazostahili kwa vile madaktari wao wamegoma tena.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kama walivyoniahidi, madaktari waliacha kugoma na viongozi wao walirudi kwenye mazungumzo na Serikali.  Kama ilivyoagizwa na Mahakama Kuu, Kitengo cha Kazi tarehe 8 Machi, 2012, kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mahusiano Kazini, Namba 6 ya mwaka 2004.   Chama cha Madaktari na Serikali walifika katika Tume ya Usuluhishi na Uamuzi (Commission for Mediation and Arbitration) kwa ajili ya majadiliano.  Kwa pamoja na kwa ridhaa yao wote, pande hizo mbili ziliiomba Tume hiyo iwape fursa ya kuzungumza wao wenyewe na wakimaliza mazungumzo wataenda kusajili makubaliano yao.  Tume ikawakubalia.  Ni vizuri ikakumbukwa kuwa siku ile ya tarehe 8 Machi, 2012 Mahakama Kuu Kitengo cha Kazi, ilitoa zuio la mgomo pamoja na kuagiza kuwepo mazungumzo baina ya pande mbili.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kati ya tarehe 10 Aprili, 2012 na tarehe 30 Mei, 2012, vilifanyika vikao sita vya majadiliano kati ya Serikali na Chama cha Madaktari.  Katika mazungumzo hayo hoja au madai 12 ya madaktari yalizungumzwa.  Mambo hayo ni haya yafuatayo:

1.    Posho ya kuitwa kazini (on call allowance) iwe asilimia 10 ya mshahara.

2.    Posho ya kufanya kazi katika mazingira hatarishi (Risk allowance) iwe asilimia 30 ya mshahara.

3.    Madaktari wapatiwe nyumba grade A au posho ya makazi ambayo iwe asilimia 30 ya mshahara.

4.    Posho ya kufanya kazi katika mazingira magumu iwe asilimia 40 ya mshahara.

5.    Madaktari walipwe posho ya usafiri ya asilimia 10 ya mshahara au wakopeshwe magari.

6.    Madaktari wanaoanza kazi walipwe mshahara wa shilingi 3,500,00/= kwa mwezi.

7.    Madaktari wapatiwe Green Card za Bima ya afya.

8.    Hatua za kinidhamu zichukuliwe dhidi ya Watendaji Wakuu wa Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii.

9.    Viongozi wa Kisiasa kulazimisha kupewa rufaa nje.

10.           Madaktari waliofukuzwa warudishwe kazini.

11.           Huduma za afya ziboreshwe nchini.

12.           Posho ya uchunguzi wa maiti iongezwe.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Katika mambo hayo 12 pande zote mbili zilifikia muafaka na kukubaliana wa pamoja kwa mambo saba.  La kwanza, ni kuhusu usafiri wa kwenda na kurudi kazini.  Serikali ilieleza kuwa upo utaratibu kwa mujibu wa Waraka wa Utumishi wa Serikali Na. 3 wa mwaka 2011 wa kuwakopesha wafanyakazi wa Serikali fedha za kununulia magari au pikipiki, samani na matengenezo ya magari.  Ilikubaliwa kuwa madaktari waitumie fursa hiyo.

          Jambo la pili, ni kuhusu madaktari kupatiwa Green Card za Bima ya Afya.  Jambo hili lilikubaliwa na Serikali na Wizara ya Afya imekwishachukua hatua za utekelezaji wake.

          Jambo la tatu, ni kuhusu hatua za kinidhamu kuchukuliwa dhidi ya Watendaji Wakuu wa Wizara ya Afya.  Kwa pamoja walikubaliana kuwa suala hilo liko nje ya mamlaka ya Kamati yao ya pamoja, waziachie mamlaka husika za uteuzi.  Uongozi wa juu wa Wizara umebadilishwa na sasa kuna uongozi mpya.  Lakini, jambo la kustaajanisha hata Waziri mpya wa Afya alipowataka waonane kuzungumzia hoja walikataa kumuona.  Kwanza walisema hawaoni sababu kwa vile wameyazungumza na Kamati yake kwa miezi mitatu bila ya mafanikio

          Jambo la nne walilokubaliana ni kuhusu viongozi kulazimisha kupewa rufaa ya kutibiwa nje.  Walikubaliana mambo mawili.  Kwanza, kwamba maelekezo ya Waziri Mkuu, Mhe. Mizengo Pinda kuwa madaktari wazingatie maadili ya kazi zao na kukataa kutoa rufaa kwa mtu asiyestahili awe kiongozi au asiwe kiongozi. Pili, walikubaliana kuwa hospitali zilizopo ziboreshwe ili viongozi watibiwe hapa nchini.  Ukweli ni kwamba kufanya hivyo ndiyo sera ya Serikali.  Nililieleza hili mwezi Desemba 30, 2005 katika hotuba yangu ya kuzindua Bunge baada ya kuchaguliwa kwa mara ya kwanza kuongoza nchi yetu. 

Tumeiongeza sana bajeti ya sekta ya afya kutoka shilingi bilioni 300 2005/2006 hadi shilingi trilioni 1.2 mwaka 2011/12 na imekuwa ya tatu baada ya miundombinu na elimu.  Tumeziimarisha hospitali za Mikoa kwa vifaa tiba na wataalamu wa afya.  Kazi inaendelea katika hospitali za Wilaya. Tumewekeza katika Hospitali ya Muhimbili.  Hospitali hiyo ilivyo leo sivyo ilivyokuwa miaka sita nyuma.  Na kazi inaendelea hasa katika maeneo ambayo tunapeleka wagonjwa nje.  Matunda yake yanaanza kuonekana kwa upande wa figo, moyo, kinywa na mipango inaendelea kwa upande wa ubongo na mishipa ya fahamu.  Tunaendelea kuimarisha mafunzo ya  madaktari na madaktari bingwa, yote kwa nia hiyo hiyo.  Hivi sasa Chuo Kikuu cha Sayansi ya Tiba,Muhimbili kinachukua wanafunzi wengi zaidi ya ilivyokuwa siku za nyuma na makazi mapya ya chuo yanaendelea kuandaliwa ili kuchukua wanafunzi wengi zaid.    Mwaka 2005 tulikuwa na madaktari bingwa 46 mwaka huu tunao 520.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Jambo la tano ambalo pande zote mbili zilikubaliana ni kuhusu madaktari waliofukuzwa.  Hawa ni wale Interns waliokuwa wamerudishwa Wizarani kutoka Muhimbili na kupangiwa hospitali za Temeke, Ilala, Mwananyamala na Lugalo.  Hili ni jambo ambalo lilikuwa limemalizika kitambo na wote walikuwa wamerudi Muhimbili.

          Jambo la sita ni kuhusu mapendekezo mbalimbali yaliyotolewa na madaktari kuhusu kuboresha huduma ya afya.  Mapendekezo hayo yalihusu kutathmini sera na mpango wa afya ya msingi, bajeti ya afya kuwa asilimia 15 ya bajeti ya Serikali, kuwepo na utaratibu mzuri wa kuajiri madaktari na kuboresha viwango vya ubora wa madaktari na kadhalika.  Serikali imeyaafiki mapendekezo hayo na yatafanyiwa kazi.

          Jambo la saba, ambalo pande zote walilokubaliana ni kuhusu kuongeza posho ya uchunguzi wa maiti.  Hili ni jambo jipya halikuwepo mwazoni.  Hata hivyo, Serikali imelikubali na posho hiyo imeongezwa kutoka shilingi 10,000/= hadi kufikia shilingi 100,000/= kwa daktari na shilingi 50,000/= kwa wasaidizi wake.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Kuna masuala matatu ambayo yamekuwa na muafaka kwa kiasi fulani na kutoafikiana kwa baadhi ya mambo.  La kwanza ni suala la kufanya kazi katika mazingira hatarishi.  Serikali imekubali hoja ya kuchukua hatua ya kuwalinda madaktari wanaofanya kazi katika mazingira hatarishi.  Serikali iliwaeleza kuwa watumishi wa kada zote za afya watapatiwa chanjo dhidi ya maambukizi ya Hepatitis B na fedha zimetengwa katika bajeti ya 2012/13.

Aidha, Serikali imeeleza dhamira ya kurudisha posho ya mazingira hatarishi kwa watumishi wa umma wanaostahili.  Utekelezaji wake utafanyika baada ya uchambuzi wa kina wa kubainisha mazingira hatarishi ni yepi, viwango stahiki viwe vipi na nani hasa wahusike.  Madaktari wamekataa hili la kufanya uchambuzi, wanataka kiwango kiwe kama wanavyotaka wao, yaani asilimia 30 ya mshahara na kianze mara moja.

          Jambo la pili ambalo wamekubaliana nusu nusu ni kuhusu nyumba za kuishi.  Serikali imekiri wajibu wake wa kuwapatia madakari nyumba za kuishi.  Aidha, imeeleza mpango ulioanza wa kujenga nyumba 700 za madaktari kote nchini na kwamba hivi sasa ujenzi wa nyumba 90 unaendelea, 50 katika mkoa wa Mtwara na 40 katika mkoa wa Rukwa.

 Kwa maeneo ambayo madaktari wanalipwa posho ya pango Serikali imesema waajiri wataendelea kufanya hivyo kwa mujibu wa taratibu zilizopo kwa watumishi wa umma wenye stahili ya kupewa nyumba.  Jambo hilo limekataliwa na Madakari na kutaka lazima walipwe asilimia 30 ya mshahara kama posho ya nyumba.  Serikali kwa upande wake imeona vigumu kufanya hivyo na kuwasihi wakubali wanayotendewa wafanyakazi wengine wote wa umma

          Jambo lingine ambalo lilikuwa na makubaliano ya nusu nusu ni kuhusu posho ya kufanya kazi katika mazingira magumu.  Pande zote mbili ziliafikiana kuwa yapo baadhi ya maeneo nchini yanayo mazingira magumu kwa watumishi wa umma  hivyo hatua zichukuliwe kuwasaidia watumishi hao. Serikali imekubali wajibu wa kuweka utaratibu wa kuboresha maisha ya watumishi katika maeneo hayo.  Kwa ajili hiyo, Serikali itatoa mwongozo kwa mamlaka za ajira kuhusu namna ya kuwasaidia watumishi hao kupunguza makali ya maisha katika kila eneo badala ya kutegemea posho peke yake.

  Kuhusu posho, Serikali imeeleza kuafiki kuwepo posho ya aina hiyo ila itatekelezwa baada ya kufanya uchambuzi wa kuainisha mazingira husika, kutambua watumishi waliopo na gharama zake.

          Madaktari hawajakubali kusubiri zoezi la uchambuzi lifanyike, wanataka Serikali ilipe posho hiyo sasa.  Tofauti hapa si posho hiyo kuwepo, bali ni rai ya Serikali ya kubaini maeneo yenyewe na kupanga aina ya hatua na viwango vya posho kulingana na mazingira halisi ya maeneo.  Madaktari hawaoni haja ya kufanya hayo.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Mambo mawili hayakuwa na muafaka kabisa kati ya pande zetu mbili.  Jambo la kwanza ni posho ya kuitwa kazini (on call allowance).  Kwanza sina budi kueleza kuwa Serikali imekubali kuongeza posho hiyo.  Tangu Februari, 2012 posho iliongezwa kutoka shilingi 10,000/= hadi shilingi 25,000/= kwa daktari bingwa (Specialist), shilingi 20,000/= kwa dakari mwenye usajili wa kudumu (Registrars) na shilingi 15,000/= kwa madaktari waliohitimu ambao wapo katika kipindi cha mafunzo kazini (Interns).  Viwango hivyo vya posho vinatumika hivi sasa. 

  Madaktari kwa upande wao hawakukubali uamuzi huo wa Serikali na kusisitiza walipwe asilimia 10 ya mshahara.  Ugumu wa kukubali pendekezo la madakari ni kuwa sharti la malipo haya ni mtu kuitwa kazini.  Ukitaka ilipwe kiwango cha mshahara ina maana kuwa hata kama daktari hakupangwa kuitwa au alipangwa na hakutokea aendelee kulipwa.  Hili haliwezi kuwa sahihi kufanya.  Linaweza kuwafanya baadhi ya madaktari kutokutimiza wajibu wao kwa vile wana hakika mwisho wa mwezi malipo yako pale pale.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Jambo la pili ambalo muafaka haukufikiwa baina ya Serikali na madaktari ni kuhusu mshahara wa kuanzia kazi wa daktari.  Madaktari wanataka uwe shilingi 3,500,000/= wakati Serikali inasema kiasi hicho hatukiwezi.  Serikali imeeleza utayari wake wa kuongeza mshahara kwa kati ya asilimia 15 mpaka 20 kama ambavyo itafanya kwa watumishi wote wa umma katika mwaka huu wa fedha.  Kwa kiwango cha sasa cha mshahara wao, daktari ataanzia kati ya shilingi 1,100,000/= na 1,200,000/= kutegemea kiwango kipi hatimaye kitaamuliwa.  Madaktari wamekataa katakata na wameng’ang’ania shilingi 3,500,000/=.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Huo ndiyo mlolongo wa mambo yaliyozungumzwa na pande zote mbili na matokeo ya mazungumzo yenyewe.  Katika kikao cha sita kilichofanyika tarehe 30 Mei, 2012, upande wa Chama cha Madaktari ulisema kuwa kwa vile hoja ya nyongeza ya mshahara haina mabadiliko hawakuona haja ya kuendelea na majadiliano mpaka watakapowasiliana na wenzao.  Waliahidi kutoa taarifa ndani ya wiki mbili.  Tarehe 12 Juni, 2012, Rais wa MAT aliandika barua kwa Katibu Mkuu Utumishi ambaye ndiye kiongozi wa majadiliano kwa upande wa Serikali, kuwa Madaktari wameikataa taarifa na ufafanuzi waliopewa kutoka Serikalini kwa ujumla wake.

Ndugu Wananchi;

 Baada ya majibu yale ya madaktari, tarehe 19 Juni, 2012, Serikali na Madaktari walikwenda kwa Msuluhishi (CMA) kutoa taarifa kuwa mgogoro umekosa usuluhishi kama sheria inavyotaka.  Kwa pamoja pande zote mbili zilikubaliana suala hilo lifikishwe Mahakama Kuu Kitengo cha Kazi.  Wakati pande zote zinasuburi mgogoro huu kufikishwa ngazi hiyo ya juu, upande wa Madaktari ukatangaza kuwepo kwa mgomo kuanzia saa sita ya usiku tarehe 23 Juni, 2012.  Hatua hiyo haikustahili kwani suala lenyewe halijafika mwisho wa kushughulikiwa kwa mujibu wa Sheria za Mahusiano ya Kazi nchini.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Tarehe 22 Juni, 2012, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali akaenda Mahakama Kuu Kitengo cha Kazi kulifikisha suala la tishio la mgomo na kuomba zuio la muda kufanywa.   Mahakama Kuu ilikubali ombi hilo na kuagiza kuwa mgomo usitishwe.  Juhudi za kumtafuta Rais wa MAT, Dkt. Namala Mkopi na viongozi wengine wa MAT hazikufanikiwa, Ofisi ya MAT ilikuwa imefungwa na simu zote za viongozi wa MAT zilikuwa zimezimwa.  Hatimaye tarehe 25 Juni, 2012, alipatikana na kupewa amri hiyo ya Mahakama.  Tarehe 26 Juni, 2012, Dkt. Mkopi alifika Mahakamani ambapo alikana kuwa yeye hahusiki na kuitisha huo mgomo lakini hakumtaja aliyehusika.  Pamoja na rai hiyo, Jaji alimuamuru Rais wa MAT akawatangazie wanachama wake kusitisha mgomo.   Dkt. Namala Mkopi hajafanya hivyo hadi leo na mgomo umekuwa unaendelea kinyume cha Sheria.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Wagonjwa wanateseka na wengine kupoteza maisha kwa mgomo huu usiokuwa halali kisheria ambao pia haustahili kuwepo hata kwa mujibu wa maadili ya udaktari.  Viongozi wa  MAT na wenzao wanawaingiza Madaktari katika mgogoro na Mahakama na waajiri wao isivyostahili.  Ni vyema viongozi wa Madaktari na madaktari wakatambua kuwa wanashiriki katika mgomo usiokuwa halali ambao pia kiongozi wao mkuu amekana Mahakamani kuwa hahusiki nao.  Madaktari lazima watambue pia kwamba ajira zao wanaziweka hatarini.  Mfanyakazi ana kinga ya kutofukuzwa kazi na mwajiri kwa kushiriki mgomo unaokubalika kisheria.  Huu siyo.  Watapoteza ajira, hawana pa kukimbilia, hawana cha kiwalinda.  Kwa madaktari interns, wanahatarisha maisha yao kwani hawatapata cheti cha kudumu wakishiriki mgomo usiokuwa halali.   Lazima watafakari sana kwa hayo wafanyayo. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Napenda kurudia maneno niliyoyasema tarehe 12 Machi, 2012, kuwa kuboresha mishahara na maslahi ya wafanyakazi ni Sera ya Serikali yetu kwa maelekezo ya Ilani ya Chama Tawala (CCM).  Tumeitekeleza kwa vitendo sera hiyo, hata hivyo ni ukweli ulio wazi kuwa nia yangu njema tu pekee haitoshi, lazima uwezo wa kufanya hivyo uwepo.  Kwa kulingana na uwezo uliopo, tumeendelea kuboresha mishahara na maslahi ya wafanyakazi hatua kwa hatua tangu tuingie madarakani.  Tumefanya hivyo kwa jumla kwa wafanyakazi wote na kwa kada mbalimbali za watumishi wa umma.

Miongoni mwa wafanyakazi wa umma walionufaika na hatua hizo za Serikali ni madaktari na watumishi wa kada nyingine za huduma ya afya.  Tena nadiriki kusema madaktari tumewapa upendeleo mkubwa kuliko watumishi wengine wa umma.  Upendeleo upo kwenye mafunzo ambapo wanafunzi wa udaktari wanagharimiwa na Serikali kwa asilimia mia moja wakati wanafunzi wenzao wa taaluma nyingine hawako hivyo.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Mwaka 2004/2005, mshahara wa kuanzia wa daktari ulikuwa shilingi 178,700/=, mwaka 2005/ 2006 tuliupandisha na kuwa shilingi 403,120/=. Tuliendelea kuupandisha mwaka hadi mwaka mpaka kufikia shilingi 957,700/= wanazolipwa sasa.  Kiasi hicho ni mara mbili ya mishahara ya watumishi wa taaluma nyingine wenye shahada ya kwanza wanaoanza kazi ambao kwa wastani hupata shilingi 446,100/=.

Tunafanya hivyo kwa kutambua na kuthamini nafasi maalum ya madaktari katika jamii na ukweli kwamba bado tunayo safari ndefu ya kuziba pengo la madaktari nchini.  Lakini inaonekana juhudi zetu zote hizo hazithaminiwi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Sina budi kusisitiza  kwamba tunapofanya hivyo tunaongozwa na uwezo tulio nao wa kulipa.   Kwa sasa hatuwezi kuwaahidi kuwa tunao uwezo wa kuwalipa mshahara wa kuanzia wa shilingi 3,500,000/= na posho zote zile. Tukifanya hivyo malipo ya daktari anayeanza kazi yatakuwa shilingi 7,700,000/=.  Kwa hakika kiasi hicho hatutakiweza. Si vyema kutoa ahadi hewa kwa watu tunaowaheshimu na kuwathamini kama walivyo madaktari.

Kutokana na ukweli huo basi kama daktari anayeona kuwa hawezi kufanya kazi Serikalini bila ya kulipwa mshahara huo awe huru kuacha kazi na kwenda kwa muajiri anayeweza kumlipa kiasi hicho.  Nasi tutamtakia kila la heri.  Hana sababu ya kugoma ili ashinikize kulipwa mshahara huo. Asisumbuke, hatalipwa mshahara huo.  Isitoshe, hana sababu ya kuendelea kuwa na mgogoro na mwajiri ambaye hana uwezo wa kumlipa anachokitaka.  Huna sababu ya kumpa usumbufu mwajiri wa kukuandikia barua ya kujieleza au kukuachisha kazi.  Kwa nini upate usumbufu wa kupata barua hizo na kuzijibu. Kwa nini upate usumbufu wa kuachishwa kazi na kutakiwa kuondoka kwenye nyumba ya Serikali ndani ya saa 24.  Jiepushe na yote hayo kwa kujiondoa mwenyewe.  Usipofanya hivyo, mwajiri anakuwa hana jinsi bali kukuondoa kazini maana unakwenda kinyume na sheria za kazi na maadili ya kazi ya udaktari.

  Mamlaka za ajira zimeanza kuchukua hatua hizo na wataendelea kufanya hivyo kwa wote wanaoendelea kugoma.   Najua baada ya hatua hizo kuchukuliwa kuna manun’guniko ya kuonewa. Hivyo, mlitegemea mwajiri afanyeje? Ni bora kufanya hivyo ili ajue hana daktari aweze kufanya utaratibu wa kuziba hilo pengo na huyo ajae awe na mahali pa kuishi. Vinginevyo atakuwa anajidanganya kuwa anae daktari ambae hayupo kazini na wala hataki kufanya kazi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Napenda kuwathibitishia kwamba dhamira ya Serikali ya kuboresha maslahi ya watumishi wa umma wakiwemo  madaktari iko wazi.  Tumekuwa tunafanya hivyo, na tutaendelea kufanya hivyo kulingana na uwezo wa kibajeti.  Ni vyema watumishi wa umma wakatambua kuwa hatuwezi kutumia fedha zote au kiasi kikubwa mno cha pesa za umma kulipana mishahara.  Tukifanya hivyo, Serikali itashindwa kutoa huduma muhimu kwa wananchi ambao ndiyo wengi na wanastahili kuhudumiwa.  Hata hizo huduma za afya tunazosema ni duni tuziboreshe, hatutaweza kuziboresha kama tutatumia sehemu kubwa ya pesa za Serikali kuwalipa mishahara wafanyakazi. 

Hivi sasa matumizi ya mishahara ni asilimia 48 ya bajeti ya Serikali.  Kiwango hicho ni kikubwa mno.  Uwiano mzuri ni kuwa na matumizi ya mishahara yasiyozidi asilimia 35 ya bajeti na asilimia 65 zitumike kugharimia huduma na shughuli nyingine za maendeleo ya wananchi na taifa.  Sisi tumezidi kwa asilimia 13.  Hivyo, hatuna budi tukubali kujinyima kwa manufaa ya walio wengi. 

Suala la Dkt. Steven Ulimboka

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kabla ya kumaliza hotuba yangu, napenda kuungana na Watanzania wenzangu wote kuelezea masikitiko yangu makubwa na kuhuzunishwa kwangu na kitendo cha kinyama alichofanyiwa Dkt. Steven Ulimboka usiku wa tarehe 26 Juni, 2012. Kitendo hicho ni kinyume kabisa na mila na desturi zetu. Watanzania hatujayazoea mambo hayo. Nimeelekeza vyombo vyetu vya ulinzi na usalama kufanya uchunguzi wa kina ili ukweli ujulikane.  Nimesema kuwa ningependa ukweli huo ujulikane mapema ili tuondoe wingu baya la kutiliana shaka na kulaumiana kunakoendelea hivi sasa.

Natambua kuwa Serikali nayo inatajwa katika orodha ya wanaotiliwa shaka.  Mimi nimeshangazwa sana na hisia hizo kwani siioni sababu ya Serikali kufanya hivyo.  Dkt. Ulimboka alikuwa mmoja wa kiungo muhimu katika mazungumzo baina ya Serikali na Madkatari.  Ni kweli kwamba yeye si mtumishi wa Serikali, hivyo hakustahili kuwa sehemu ya majadiliano haya.  Kulikuwa na rai ya kutaka asiwepo, lakini nilisema wamuache maadam Madaktari wanamuamini kuwa anaweza kuwasemea vizuri zaidi kuliko wao wenyewe walioajiriwa na Serikali.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kama nilivyoeleza, mazungumzo yalienda vizuri na mafanikio makubwa yamepatikana.  Yapo maeneo machache na hasa eneo la mshahara ambalo hatukuweza kukubaliana.  Hapo tulipofikia si pabaya na tulikubaliana sote kurudi kwenye mkondo wa Sheria kusaidiwa.  Kwa nini Serikali imdhuru Dkt. Ulimboka? Na, kuhusu mgomo, Mahakama Kuu imekwishatoa amri ya kusitisha mgomo.  Anayekaidi amri ya Mahakama ananunua ugomvi na mhimili huo wa dola ambao wenyewe una mamlaka ya kumtia adabu mtu huyo.  Hivi baada ya kufika hapo Serikali iwe na ugomvi na Dkt. Steven Ulimboka kwa sababu ipi na jambo lipi hata iamue kumdhuru?  Kama kuna mtu wa Serikali kafanya, itakuwa kwa sababu zake binafsi na siyo za Serikali au kwa kutumwa na Serikali.

Ndugu Wananchi;  

Kwa niaba yangu na kwa niaba ya Serikali natoa mkono wa pole kwa Dkt. Steven Ulimboka na kumuombea apone haraka ili aungane na familia yake na Watanzania wenzake katika ujenzi wa taifa.  Kwa namna ya pekee namshukuru na kumpongeza Bwana Juma Mgaza, kwa moyo wake wa huruma na upendo na kwa hatua alizochukua za kumsaidia Dkt. Ulimboka.

Naomba kumaliza kwa kuwasihi madaktari kuacha mgomo na kurejea kazini.  Watanzania wenzenu wanateseka na kupoteza maisha.  Muwe na moyo wa huruma na upendo na msaada kwa wagonjwa kama kiapo chenu kinavyowataka.

Mungu Ibariki Afrika!

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania!

Asanteni kwa Kunisikiliza.

The Statement of the Deputy Minister in Albania

STATEMENT BY HON. MAHADHI JUMA MAALIM (MP), DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIFTH HIGH-LEVEL INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE ON DELIVERING AS ONE, TIRANA, ALBANIA, 27-29 JUNE 2012
 
Honourable Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albenia;
Ms. Helen Clark, UN Development Group Chair;
Your Excellency Mr. Dera Percaya, Vice-President of ECOSOC;
Mr. Diego Canepa, Deputy-Secretary of the President of Uruguay and President of the Steering Committee of the Uruguayan Agency of International Cooperation (AUCI);
Heads of Delegation from Pilot and Non-pilot Countries;
Heads of UN Agencies;
Representatives of Development Partners;
Co-chairs of the UN System-wide Coherence;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
At the outset, allow me to join others in thanking and congratulating the Government of Albania for taking the initiative and assuming the responsibility of hosting the Fifth High Level Conference on Delivering as One. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all the other delegates when I say that we are grateful for the brotherly reception and excellent facilities the Government and People of Albania have put at our disposable. We earnestly appreciate this Albanian generosity.
 
It is my honour and privilege to address this Conference on behalf of Honourable Bernard Kamillius Membe, Member of Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania. He extends his deepest regret that he could not make it to this Conference because of other engagements. He therefore conveys his best wishes for the success of the conference.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The presence of so many high-level dignitaries at this occasion illustrates the commitment and great importance that the Member States attach to the reform.  The inter-governmental fora that have been held prior to this one have provided a critical opportunity to exchange experiences and lessons learned on Delivering as One. I believe this meeting will build upon that foundation.
 
Drawing from our experience as one of the LDC Pilot Countries for the One, I want to acknowledge and appreciate that project has provided real opportunities to address our development needs in one roof and in its entirety as well as in a participatory manner. Through the previous Joint Programmes and now the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP), we have witnessed initiatives that are much more responsive to the needs of Tanzanians; from policy support to social services delivery and promotion of good governance.
 
All these are paramount in improving the wellbeing of our people. The initiative also helps to move forward in the implementation of our National Development Strategies and Plans, in achieving the Millennium Development Goals as well as other internationally agreed development goals. We in Tanzania, are proud that Delivering as One has further strengthened the cooperation among the Government, the UN and the Development Partners.
 
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
When Tanzania first volunteered to become a pilot country way back in 2007, we did not quite know what we were embarking upon and indeed, it has been quite a journey. This journey began with the establishment of the Joint Government and UN Steering Committee (JSC) for management of the One Fund. Under the co-Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the UN Resident Coordinator, the JSC has enhanced ties between the Government and the UN at the highest level. It has provided a vehicle for discussion not only on One Fund matters, but additional issues of common concern such as the finalisation of the second generation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSPs), the response to the Country-led Evaluation of Delivering as One in 2010 and of course the Independent Evaluation.
The primary role of the JSC, however, still is to guide UN programming, ensuring it remains fully aligned to our National Development Strategies and plans as well as priorities. We are proud to have pioneered an innovative approach to programming – the UNDAP– which brings all resident and non-resident agencies under a single coherent results-based Plan. The Government of Tanzania played a central role in the development of the UNDAP and indeed continues to enjoy an active partnership with the UN for its implementation and through the biannual review process of the Annual Work Plans.
 
Through the application of performance based allocations under the One Fund – which now accounts for 28 percent of the entire Programme of Cooperation for all UN agencies operating in the country - we incentivise UN agencies to be accountable for their interventions, to demonstrate clear results which serve best the people of Tanzania.
 
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
Under the reform, we have welcomed the realignment of the UN planning cycle at the country level to our own budgetary calendar year, running from July to June of the following year. This has helped to increase UN use of our national systems at the same time building the capacity therein under the One Office pillar of the reform – for which we are grateful. It has also helped to increase aid predictability and it enabled the incorporation of UN assistance into our budgeting process through the use of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.  
 
Harmonisation of Business Practices has the potential to yield real results in terms of increased efficiencies including a reduction in our transaction costs. We note the findings of the Independent Evaluation in this regard, and add our voice to the recommendations that this should be further pursued by UN Headquarters and Inter-Governmental bodies as a critical component of the reform.
 
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
In Tanzania, we place great value on the One UN Office. It has a critical function to reach prompt agreements and take action in all affairs of mutual interest between the Government and the UN System.  The One UN Office under the Resident Coordinator brings an important value addition by his support to the overall dialogue structure with all our Development Partners through his Permanent Chairmanship of the Development Partners Group. Important UN values, such as impartiality, transparency, participatory and people-centred economic growth greatly assist Tanzania Government – and I presume my fellow Government representatives from countries with sizeable Overseas Development Assistance would agree – to effectively lead and channel development cooperation in line with our National Development Strategies and Plans.  
 
We also attach importance to the concept of One Leader under Delivering as One in that it fosters a cohesive and forceful UN Country Team.  Effectively exercised, this concept brings to the front only UN Agencies with the requisite capacity and comparative advantage to support the issue at hand.
 
For these reasons, Tanzania recognizes that the authority of the Resident Coordinator is strongly linked to national ownership of the development process. Therefore, we support the move to strengthen accountability at the country level within the UN system. This should enhance the authority of the Resident Coordinator and enforce decisions of the Joint Steering Committee to the benefit of national ownership and leadership of the development path.
 
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
Tanzania Government has observed that a more coordinated UN Country Management Team can increase coherence among agencies and strengthen collaboration with our Government and other partners. The findings of the Independent Evaluation only confirm this. The One Voice principle has been instrumental in building capacity across the UN Country Management Team to engage with the media and other stake holders. Additionally, the principle plays the role of enhancing attention to the norms and standards of peace and security, human rights, social well being and equity developed under the leadership of UN bodies to which we remain fully committed.  It has also encouraged positive changes in patterns of communication within the country team, with people talking as much across agencies as within themselves.
​ 
Delivering as One has already yielded a more streamlined and effective collaboration for development results between our Government and the UN in Tanzania. This, in my view, signals success. The reform has illustrated a common commitment, shared vision, relevant strategies and adequate resources amongst the tripartite relationship of government, donors and the UN.
 
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen;
In conclusion, let me underscore that more support from the governing bodies and from Member States during the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) is required to realise the considerable benefits of Delivering as One and to address the development challenges before our countries. Real political will is required. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania therefore strongly appeals to all UN bodies and Member States to fully support the Delivering as One reform for the betterment of the peoples of the United Nations.  
 
I thank you very much for your kind attention.
 
 

Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul VI

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania has sent congratulatory message to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The message reads as follows;

“His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,

          Vatican City,

HOLY SEE.

Your Holiness,

On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you most sincerely on the occasion of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul VI’s, celebrations.

          Tanzania and the Holy See enjoy good bilateral relations, working closely and cooperatively. The celebration of your country’s National Day offers yet another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to continue working with you in further consolidating and strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that cordially exist between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Holy See.

          Please accept, Your Holiness, my best wishes for your good health, prosperity and many more years of service to the church” said the President.

Issued by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Dar es Salaam.

29^th June, 2012

Ambassador Kairuki meets Acting High Commissioner for India

HAmbassador Mbelwa Kairuki, the Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, welcomes Mrs. Hemalata Bhagirath, the Acting High Commissioner for India, who paid him a courtesy call today at the Ministry.  

Ambassador Kairuki discussing various issues with Mrs. Hemalata Bhagirath, which included the close friendly and cooperative relation that exist between the two countries since 1960s. India is one of Tanzania's major trading partners as well as an important source of essential machinery and pharmaceutical products. Tanzania’s Major imports from India include mineral fuels, oils, iron & steel, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles (including auto parts), articles of iron & steel, electrical machinery/ equipment, machinery/ appliances, plastic products including synthetic polymers, rubber items including tyres etc., cotton fabrics, apparel & clothing, cereals. Major exports to India include vegetables, pulses, cashew nuts, raw cotton, gemstones, cloves & other spices, wood and articles thereof, tanning/dyeing extract.

Ambassador Kairuki in talks with Mrs. Bhagirath, Acting High Commissioner for India in Tanzania.  Others in the photo are Mr. Kunal Roy (1st left), Councillor for High Commission of India, Mr. Tarunvir Chaudhary (1st right), First Secretary for High Commission of India and Mr. Charles Faini (2nd right), Desk Officer for India at the Ministry .    

Kikao cha Baraza la Mawaziri - Dodoma

Mhe. Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, akiongoza Kikao cha Baraza la Mawaziri leo, mjini Dodoma. (Picha na Freddy Maro wa Ikulu)

Source: www.issamichuzi.blogspot.com

Saharawi President official visit to Tanzania

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania welcoming his counterpart H.E. Mohamed Abdelaziz, the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.  H.E. President Abdelaziz has been in the country for an official visit from June 24th to 25th, 2012.

President Kikwete shake hands with his counterpart, President Abdelaziz of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic during his visit at the State House today in Dar es Salaam.

President Kikwete, his counterpart President Abdelaziz in a conversation together with Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and his counterpart, Hon. Mohamed S.O. Salek (left), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Tanzanian delegation led by H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in a meeting with H.E. President Mohamed Abdelaziz of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic along with members of his delegation.

H.E. President Kikwete (2nd right) giving his remarks during the meeting with President Abdelaziz (not on the photo).  Others on the photo are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (3rd right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. John M. Haule (1st right), the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internatioal Cooperation, Mr. Prosper Mbena (2nd left), Private Assistant to the President, and H.E. Ambassador Zahra Nuru, Private Assistant (Diplomatic Affairs)

Members of delegation from Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic that includes President Abdelaziz (3rd left), Hon. Mohamed S.O. Salek (1st left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat, Hon. Mohamed L. Bouhali (4th left), Minister of Defense and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat and H.E. Ambassador Brahim Salem Buseif (2nd left), Ambassador of the Sarahawi Arab Democratic Republic to the United Republic of Tanzania, during the meeting with President Kikwete (not in the photo).

President Kikwete together with the Tanzania delegation that includes Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd left), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. John M. Haule (3rd right), the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Prosper Mbena, Private Assistant to the President, Ms. Zuhura Bundala (2nd right), Assistant Director of the Department of Africa at the Ministry, Mr. Ali Bujiku (1st right), Desk Officer for the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic at the Ministry.

President Abdelaziz (center), along with Hon. Mohamed L. Bouhali, Minister of Defense and Member of  POLISARIO Front Secretariat and H.E. Ambassador Brahim S. Buseif, Saharawi Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania listening on to President Kikwete (not in the photo) during their meeting at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

President Kikwete showing his counterpart President Abdelaziz a memorable photo of the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the First President and the Founder of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) in a light conversation with H.E. Ambassador Juma Alfani Mpango (center), Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo and H.E. Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue (right), Chief Secretary.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe chats with Chief Secretary, H.E. Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue prior to the Luncheon hosted by President Kikwete in honor of the Saharawi President, H.E. President Mohamed Abdelaziz at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete gives his opening remarks prior to Luncheon he hosted in honor of his counterpart President Abdelaziz of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

H.E. President Mohamed Abdelaziz gives his remarks during the Luncheon hosted by President Kikwete at the State House in Dar es Salaam.  Listening on is Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and H.E. Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue (right), Chief Secretary.

President Kikwete (3rd right) and President Abdelaziz (2nd right) paying their respect to the National Anthem during the Luncheon hosted by President Kikwete at the State House.  Others on photo are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, his counterpart Hon. Mohamed S.O. Salek of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue (1st right).

President Kikwete and President Abdelaziz

Brass Band entertaining the Guest of Honor, H.E. President Abdelaziz of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

President Kikwete and His Guest of Honor, President Abdelaziz of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic watching and listening to the Brass Band.

 President Kikwete presenting a special gift of a Makonde designed roundtable together with a chess board and chess mates.  The legs of the roundtable are triangle shape and can easily be folded into one piece-board.  Others on photo are Hon. Mohamed S.O. Salek (1st left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat in Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and Mr. Japhet Mwaisupule (1st right), Acting Chief Protocol for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Here is a photo of President Kikwete showing his matching national suit of Saharawi, a special gift that was presented to him by His counterpart President Abdelaziz.

A group photo of President Kikwete along with his counterpart, President Abdelaziz (3rd left).  Others on photo are Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd left), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mohamed L. Bouhali (3rd right), Minister of Defense and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat in Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Hon. Mohamed S.O. Salek (1st right), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of POLISARIO Front Secretariat in Saharawi.

Joint Communique

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO TANZANIA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAHARAWI ARAB DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, H.E. MOHAMED ABDELAZIZ

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA 25 JUNE, 2012


At the invitation of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, H.E. Mohamed Abdelaziz made a two-day official visit to the United Republic of Tanzania from 24th to 25th June, 2012. H.E. President Abdelaziz was accompanied by Honourable Ministers and other senior officials of the Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

H.E. President Abdelaziz arrived on 24th June, 2012 and was warmly received at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport by his host, H.E. President Kikwete as well as Honourable Ministers and other senior officials of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The two-day visit was mainly for the purpose of strengthening the brotherly and historical bilateral relations that so happily exist between the Governments and Peoples of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

On 25th June, 2012, H.E. President Kikwete and H.E. President Abdelaziz held official talks and discussed bilateral issues, the current peace process in Western Sahara; regional issues as well as other issues of mutual interests to their two countries. The two Presidents expressed their satisfaction at the excellent historical and fraternal relations that have been maintained between the Governments and peoples of their two countries and exchanged ideas on how best they can further strengthen the relations.

With regard to bilateral issues, H.E. President Abdelaziz expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and the Saharawi people as well as on his own behalf for the support that they continue to enjoy from the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania in their tireless efforts in search for a peaceful solution to the Western Saharan conflict that had remained unresolved for decades now. In this connection, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania reiterated its unflinching support for the of the right self determination to the people of Saharawi.

Their Excellencies the two Presidents underscored the need to further strengthen the existing relations between their two countries by exploring possible areas of cooperation that would be of mutual benefit to the peoples of the two countries. They particularly noted that the Public Civil Service is an area they can explore possible cooperation between their two countries, most particularly training of their respective civil servants. To this end, Their Excellencies the two Presidents instructed the Ministers responsible for Public Civil Service to meet and initiate action.

With respect to the peace process in Western Sahara, Their Excellencies the two Presidents noted, with great concern, that the conflict of Western Sahara has remained unresolved for decades and the Saharawi people are yet to determine their destiny, hence, causing great suffering to the Saharawi people. They therefore jointly called upon the AU, the UN and the international community, as a whole, to take their responsibilities in ensuring that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is found sooner and not later.

At the end of his visit, H.E. President Abdelaziz expressed gratitude to the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania for the brotherly welcome and warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their brief visit.

H.E. President Abdelaziz and his entourage departed Dar es Salaam on the 25th June, 2012. At the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport, he was seen off by his host, H.E. President Kikwete, Honourable Ministers and other senior Government officials of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.


ISSUED AT DAR ES SALAAM ON 25TH JUNE, 2012

Saharawi President arrives in Dar es salaam

H:E Mohamed Abdelaziz, the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic arrived in Dar es salaam this evening for the two-day Official visit to the United Republic of Tanzania.

On arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, the visiting President, who arrived aboard Republic of Algeria plane, was met by his host, H.E Jakaya Kikwete, the President of the United Repulic of Tanzania.

While in Tanzania President Abdelaziz will hold official talks with his host at the State House in Dar es salaam before proceeding for launchen prepared in honour of the visiting President.

Congratulatory message to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania sends a congratulatory message to His Royal Highness, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, on the occasion of his country’s National Day on 23^th June, 2012.

The message reads as follows;

“His Royal Highness, Henri,

Grand Duke of Luxembourg,

LUXEMBOURG.

Your Royal Highness,

On behalf of the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to you and through you to the Government and people of Luxembourg on the occasion of the National Day of your great country.

The celebration of your country’s National Day offers me yet another opportunity to reaffirm my Government’s commitment to continue working together at both bilateral and multilateral levels in enhancing the relations that so happily exist between our two countries.

Please accept, your Royal Highness, my best wishes for your continued good health, peace and prosperity for the people of Luxembourg.

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA”

Issued by:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

22^nd June, 2012

DAR ES SALAAM.