Farewell, Tanzania: Continue the work we began together

DAR ES SALAAM: AS I depart Tanzania, I want to thank each and every Tanzanian for welcoming me and my wife Linda to your beautiful country.

Since our arrival in January of 2023, there have been many highlights that stand out over the past two years. Vice-President Kamala Harris visited early in my tenure, paving the way for the signing of the US-Tanzania Commercial Dialogue, which brings the US and Tanzanian public and private sectors together to increase bilateral trade and investment.

Just last month, President Biden travelled to Angola, where he met with Vice-President Mpango alongside other heads of state from the region, to discuss continued development of the Trans-Africa Continental Railroad.

The United States is a major investor in this project, which will greatly benefit the entire region through more integrated trade. Recognising that strong economies and strong democracies go hand-in-hand, I was proud to deliver additional assistance to strengthen the development of Tanzania’s health, education, democratic governance and economic growth systems.

I had the privilege of meeting beneficiaries of US-funded programmes in my many travels around Tanzania – my engagements with the people of Tanzania are memories I will cherish. I often say that the greatest asset Tanzania has is not its gold, nor its Tanzanite, nor even its abundant wildlife and natural beauty. Rather, the greatest asset Tanzania has is its people. Spending time with Tanzania’s inspiring youth has been by far one of the great highlights of my tenure as Ambassador.

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In August of 2023, I joined youth leaders from across the nation who participated in the Youth Democracy Dialogues. Supported by a U.S. embassy grant, this series of conferences highlighted the needs of Tanzania’s youth and encouraged them to play an expanded role in deepening Tanzania’s democracy.

By investing in the brilliant minds of Tanzanian youth and giving them the tools and capacity to succeed, we are investing in a prosperous future for Tanzania. That’s why we are ensuring more Tanzanians have access to high-quality education in US universities.

That’s why we brought the U.S.-Tanzania Tech Challenge to Tanzania, investing in the great ideas Tanzanian tech innovators have already developed. Over 100 tech innovators submitted proposals to develop Tanzania’s civic space using technological tools. That’s why we advocated to bring a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold project back to Tanzania, to support a more democratic future for all Tanzanians.

It’s also why I have continued to speak out both publicly and privately in support of the continued development of Tanzania’s democracy. Because a mature Tanzanian democratic governance will not only make Tanzania freer and fairer, but will also ensure it is wealthier and able to fully tap into the greatest resource this country has – its people.

That’s why the United States is Tanzania’s largest development partner. And we will continue to invest in strengthening the health sector, reducing deaths and improving the quality of life of tens of millions of Tanzanians. Through PEPFAR, we are supporting those living with HIV/AIDS to live healthy and prosperous lives, while interrupting the spread of infection, a health dividend from which future generations of Tanzanians will continue to benefit. I have crisscrossed this country and met people of all backgrounds.

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I remain impressed by the shared dedication Tanzanians have to the principles of umoja, utu and ushirikiano. A united Tanzania, committed to the ideals of respecting every citizen’s human dignity is a Tanzania that will positively impact the world. That was the dream of Mwalimu Nyerere and a dream I will keep in my heart long after leaving Tanzania.

I will always treasure my time here in Tanzania. And I will keep the many, many lessons I’ve learned from the people of Tanzania near and dear for the rest of my life. It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania.

● The writer is the US Ambassador to the Republic of Tanzania