Dar secures the SADC Executive Secretary Post

Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation and the new SADC Executive Secretary.  She will be replacing the outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.  Also in the photo is Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Dar secures the SADC Executive Secretary Post

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

Lilongwe, Malawi

Tanzania has secured SADC’s Executive Secretary post with 79 percent votes, replacing the outgoing Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão who had served two terms of eight years.  The Southern Africa Development Community Council of Ministers voted last night, ending their two-days meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi.   

“We won 79 percent of the votes, securing a post of Executive Secretary to be held by Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, currently Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation,” said Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.  We are just now waiting for the Heads of State and Government to approve the nomination when they meet on 17 to 18 August 2013, said Minister Membe.

“This is the first time for a woman to hold such high post in the Community and we are truly honored to have a formidable candidate to secure such a post,” added Hon. Membe.  

The Executive Secretary position was tightly fought, leaving the other candidate from Seychelles, Hon. Peter Sinon, Minister for Investment Natural Resources and Industry with 72 percent of votes.  Indeed, the Ministers have postponed for one month the voting for a Deputy Executive Secretary position, after the current voting could not come into a consensus terms.  South Africa was vying for a Deputy Executive Secretary position.

The Council of Ministers also discussed the future of the SADC Tribunal, its protocol, functions and overall jurisdiction.  The Council left the matters to be further explored by the member states’ Attorney Generals and Ministers of Law and Constitution Matters, and that to provide their report by April 2014.

Meanwhile, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the current Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC-Troika organ of Politics, Defence and Security),  has already arrived in Malawi yesterday late afternoon, where he chaired a SADC Troika-Organ on Politics, Defence and Security meeting.

During the Troika-Organ meeting, President Kikwete was expected to give a full year report of the Tanzania's Chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.  The President is also expected to handover his Chairmanship to H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia.

Further, in Saturday's Heads of State and Government Summit, the agendas tabled to be discussed are the status of Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo.  For Madagascar, Mr. Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique will give his Mediation report which reflects the continued engagement of the Malagasy political stakeholders in efforts to resolve the current deadlock in the electoral process.  The SADC has once again asked the three controversial candidates (President of Transition Andry Rajoelina, former President Didier Ratsiraka and Lalao Ravalomanana, wife of former President Ravalomanana) to remove their names on the presidential election ballot. 

For Zimbabwe, the Summit is to receive a brief report about the recent presidential election, as the matter currently is in Court contested by  the other candidate, the Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.  And lastly for Eastern DR-Congo, the report on the Intervention Brigade. 

Tanzania had played a significant role in addressing regional conflicts that threatened security and political stability in the region throughout the course of her tenure.  Matters on the agenda were the deadlock in the implementation of a political roadmap in Madagascar, the implementation of Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe, and the deterioration of security situation in Eastern part of the DR Congo following the instability caused by the M23 rebels.

To the latter, another subject in the agenda is to welcome President Joyce Banda of Malawi, who is the new SADC Chairman for the period 2013/2014.  She is replacing President Armando Guebuza of the Republic of Mozambique.

End.

President Kikwete chairs the SADC Troika-Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in Lilongwe, Malawi

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (left), President of the United Republic of Tanzania walking towards the Meeting Hall where the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Troika-Organ on Politics, Defence and Security late this evening at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.  Walking next to him is H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa and the outgoing Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation welcomes H.E. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. 

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the outgoing Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in a discussion with the outgoing SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.  President Kikwete had just arrived late afternoon today and was received by his counterpart President Joyce Banda of Malawi at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi.  The President is also expected to participate in the 33rd Heads of State and Government SADC Summit scheduled to commence tomorrow August 17 to 18, 2013.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation sitting next to President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, as they are getting set to participate in SADC Troika-Organ meeting led by President Kikwete this evening.  

Other delegates in attendance.

The new Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Naimi Aziz (left) and H.E. Ambassador Radhia Msuya, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in South Africa were also in attendance during the SADC Troika-Organ, Chaired by the outgoing Chairman President Kikwete.  

Tanzania had assumed the Chairmanship from President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in August of 2012 during the 31st Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held in Maputo, Mozambique. H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia is expected to take the next Chairmanship later this month.

H.E. Ambassador Adadi Rajab (left), Tanzania High Commissioner in Zimbabwe, H.E. Ambassador Patrick Tsere (2nd left), Tanzania High Commissioner in Malawi and Dr. Laurean Ndumbaro, Political Advisor to President Kikwete.

Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation and the new SADC Executive Secretary replacing  the outgoing Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.  Also in the photo is Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Tanzania delegation during the SADC Troika-organ meeting.

Chief of Protocol Ambassador Mohammed Maharage Juma (right) in a light moment with Ambassador  Flossie Gomile-Chidyaonga, High Commissioner of Malawi in Tanzania.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

President Kikwete arrives in Malawi to attend the 33rd Heads of State and Government SADC Summit

H.E. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi awaits the arrival of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania late this afternoon at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi. 

Tanzania and Malawi Government Officials awaiting the arrival of President Kikwete.  Right is Ambassador Patrick Tsere, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Malawi,  Hon. Dr. William Augustao Mgimwa (MP) (3rd right), Minister for Finance and Ambassador Flossie Gomile-Chidyaonga (2nd left), High Commissioner of Malawi in Tanzania.

President Kikwete descending the stairs upon his arrival at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi late this afternoon.   President Kikwete is in Malawi ready to attend the 33rd Heads of State and Government SADC Summit to be held at the Bingu International Conference Centre. 

President Joyce Banda of Malawi welcomes her counterpart, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania. 

President Kikwete listens to a young boy whispering "when I grow up, I want to be a President just like you", just upon his arrival late this afternoon in Lilongwe, Malawi. 

President Kikwete impressively gives a young boy a present, while President Joyce Banda of Malawi witnesses the special moment.  

The Presidents share a light moment as they walk towards the Guard of Honor. 

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete inspects the Guard of Honor upon his arrival at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi. 

President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and his counterpart President Joyce Banda of Malawi observing National Anthems of both countries. 

President Kikwete addresses members of media who had surrounded him to inquiry about his expectation towards the 33rd Heads of State and Government SADC Summit scheduled to convene on the 17th to 18th of August, 2013.

Some women who have gathered to perform traditional dancing were also in hand to welcome President Kikwete. 

More of traditional entertainments.

A group photo of Hon. Dr. William Augustao Mgimwa (MP) (left), Minister for Finance, Hon. Ephraim Chiume (MP) (center), Minister for Foreign Affairs in Malawi and Ambassador Patrick Tsere, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Malawi.

Hon. Chiume and Ambassador Tsere share some few laughters.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (fourth left), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in a discussion with Tanzania delegation.  In the photo are Ambassador Radhia Msuya (left), High Commissioner of Tanzania in South Africa, Ambassador Adadi Rajab (2nd left), High Commissioner of Tanzania in Zimbabwe and Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha (3rd left), Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.  Also in the photo is Ambassador Patrick Tsere (3rd right), High Commissioner of Tanzania in Malawi and two Senior Advisors to President Kikwete. 

Hon. Membe discusses something with Ambassador Tsere, while Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha (left),  and Dr. Laurean Ndumbaro, Political Advisor to President Kikwete listen. 

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago