TANZANIA: MORE than 200 Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Officers have undergone capacity building training to discharge their duties in peacekeeping missions.
In line with this the participants have been awarded diploma certificates after completing French language classes.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk, made the revelation during the launch of the month of Francophonie in Tanzania recently in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Mbarouk said Tanzania appreciates the role of Alliance Francaise in supporting peace keeping efforts whereby, it has continued to provide French language classes to Tanzanian army officials, who are then deployed in peace keeping missions in different parts of the world some of which are French speaking countries.
He added: “As we kick off the Semaine de la Francophonie with the theme of ‘create, innovate and entrepreneurship in French,’ the week is an opportunity to celebrate the French language and culture that continues to unite its nearly 300 million speakers worldwide, in all its diversity across the five continents.”
“Tanzania is playing part in promoting the French language whereby we have incorporated the teaching of the French language in primary, secondary and university education.
We recognise the tireless efforts undertaken by the French cultural centre, Alliance Francaise who have and continue to play a leading part in increasing enrolment of students in French-language programme offerings, organising events showcasing French culture as well as offering a wide variety of online and offline resources covering different areas of the learning and teaching of the French language.
“As this year’s theme dictates for us to be creative and innovative, I would like to challenge the French community to expand its presence in Tanzania. As you know that the Government and most of its activities have moved to Dodoma, more and more people are moving to Dodoma, we therefore welcome the opening of a cultural centre and French schools in our vibrant capital city which will cater to the growing population.
On a similar note, we welcome collaboration between French and Kiswahili, which are now both international languages recognised by the international community.
On his part, France’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Nabil Hajlaoui said the launch of the month of the Francophone in Tanzania, celebrated by the embassy as well as other embassies of French speaking countries will culminate to the International Day of Francophone on 20th March, 2024. He said Tanzania is surrounded by many Francophone countries namely DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles and Mayotte as well as La Renuion Island located in the Indian Ocean, hence, very strategic in reaching them.
Elaborating, he noted that this year’s Francophone (community of French speakers) will be a vibrant occasion to enjoy French culture, where artists including Swiss Actors will perform concerts at the Alliance Francaise in Dar es Salaam.
In the list he also mentioned Belgium embassy organising a film screening at Ardhi University on 19th March, and Morocco embassy also showcasing Women Actors Fair on 8th March.
He added that the International City of French language, inaugurated by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023 is aimed at promoting French language as a tool of creativity, selfdevelopment, and socioeconomic inclusion, through culture and education, promoting the vibrant diversity of the world community of French speakers.
