UNITED States (US) Vice-President Kamala Harris accomplished her historic visit to Tanzania on Friday, leaving behind joyous Tanzanians, as the two countries fortified their relations.
The long-awaited visit drew a lot of people, from the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) to the city centre, to see the Democrat leader who is leading the US along with President Joe Biden.
The US established diplomatic relations with Tanzania (then-Tanganyika) in 1961. The US and Tanzania have an established partnership characterised by mutual respect and aspirations for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
Bilateral relations consist of the political, economic or cultural relations between two sovereign states.
When states recognise one another as sovereign states and agree to develop diplomatic relations, they exchange diplomatic agents such as ambassadors to facilitate dialogues and cooperation.
Through bilateral relations, states can develop tailored agreements that only apply to contracting states.
As it has been charted, US remains committed to strengthening democracy and working with Tanzanians on women’s and children’s health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition and food security, inclusive economic growth, wildlife conservation, sustainable development, and security.
VP Harris and her host, President Samia Suluhu Hassan held talks and pledged more cooperation for benefit of both countries and their people. Tanzania, along with Ghana and Zambia were chosen for the VP’s maiden tour.
After the talks and pledges, President Samia expressed gratitudeto the US Vice-President Harris for her historic visit to Tanzania.
The Head of State through her official twitter handle said that the visit by the US VP would definitely take Tanzania/ US relationship to greater heights for the benefit of both countries.
Dr Samia assured VP Harris of the government’s commitment to work on the matters they discussed, welcoming back the VP. It will be remembered the two leaders met in the US before.
Ms Harris arrived in Tanzania on March 29 this year for a three -day visit and was received by Vice-President, Dr Philip Mpango and Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax and other government officials.
While in the country, Harris met with President Samia in private talks before holding a joint press conference at the State House in Dar es Salaam. The US VP also visited the National Museum and later paid her respects to victims of a deadly 1998 US Embassy bombing.
During the press conference the two leaders announced a series of new areas of cooperation to strengthen ties between the two countries. The areas in which cooperation will be strengthened include commercial engagement, digital connectivity, investment in women and youth, fostering democratic values, food security, marine conservation and health.
The visit did not only provide opportunity for the countries to strengthen existing relationship, but also provided a platform for new areas of cooperation. Some memoranda of association were signed, including port cooperation and commercial dialogue.
VP Harris said the Biden-Harris administration was committed to strengthening the relationship between the two countries going forward, and that it was their shared goal to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties.
It is noted that President Samia has made improving Tanzania’s economic environment one of her top priorities since taking office in March 2021 and has publicly highlighted restoring domestic and international confidence in Tanzania’s business climate. Long live TZ-US ties.
