Dozen African leaders to witness Tanzania’s 60’s union parade

DAR ES SALAAM: A total of seven heads of state from African countries are expected to join Tanzanians on Friday as the country celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Union.

Tanganyika and Zanzibar united on April 26, 1964, to form the United Republic of Tanzania under the leadership of former Presidents Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume.

Also read: ‘Union earns Tanzania high respect’ 

Tanzania’s Chief Government Spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi said on Thursday that presidents confirmed their attendance at the historic events are Azali Assoumani from the Union of the Comoros, Félix Tshisekedi from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Évariste Ndayishimiye from Burundi.

Others include Hakainde Hichilema from Zambia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from Somalia, Dr. William Ruto from Kenya, and Nangolo Mbumba from Namibia.

A statement issued on Friday states that vice presidents who will arrive in Tanzania for the celebrations are Saulos Chilima from Malawi and Jessica Alupo from Uganda.

Other leaders representing their countries include Adriano Afonso Maleiane, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique; Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, Rwanda; and Amb. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, who is ZANU-PF Secretary for External Affairs, Zimbabwe.

Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), will also attend the event.