Lebanon welcomes new Tanzanian envoy, Makanzo

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BEIRUT: TANZANIA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Lebanon after its Ambassador, Major General Richard Makanzo formally presented his credentials to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Beirut on May 5, 2026.

During the meeting, Ambassador Makanzo conveyed greetings from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and expressed condolences to the people of Lebanon over the loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement caused by the ongoing conflict in the southern part of the country.

According to information from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the envoy assured President Aoun that Tanzania would continue standing with Lebanon through solidarity, prayers and cooperation in peacekeeping efforts, particularly through the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), which is part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

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Additionally, the envoy also pledged to deepen people-to-people relations by promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

The Ambassador highlighted Tanzania’s strategic position as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets, backed by peace, political stability and efficient port infrastructure that supports regional trade and logistics.

President Aoun thanked the Tanzanian government and conveyed his greetings to President Samia, while commending Tanzania for maintaining peace and stability. He also urged Tanzania to consider opening an embassy in Lebanon and called for continued engagement on issues of mutual benefit.

In a separate engagement, Ambassador Makanzo met Lebanon’s Minister for Trade and Investment, where the two sides discussed practical strategies for advancing economic diplomacy and expanding bilateral business cooperation.