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Samia flies Salim’s name high

  • Warioba says Dr Salim is highly knowledgeable
  • Liundi describes the diplomat as a good listener, humble leader
  • Amina says Dr Salim is shining star in the world of diplomacy

PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan on Saturday renamed the Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) after the renowned diplomat Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, indicating that the former Prime Minister deserved the credit due to his outstanding role in the area of diplomacy.

Dr Samia joined other dignitaries to shower praises on the great leader and pan-Africanist, describing him as a person of high leadership calibre, integrity, resiliency, humility and patriotism.

The President revealed this at the launch of “The Salim Ahmed Salim Digital Archive” in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.

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“Since charity begins at home, it’s true that we all acknowledge that Dr Salim was a renowned diplomat. That being the case, we have agreed to name CFR after him…it’s now official the college will be identified as Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations,” said Dr Samia.

According to her, the aim of renaming the institution after the diplomat is to recognise his contribution after his long outstanding service in the field of foreign diplomacy, the area he served with honour, integrity and without giving up.

She applauded Dr Salim and the family for establishing the archive in collaboration with the government, noting it was not only beneficial to the country but Africa and the entire globe. “It’s of great importance for people to learn about his history and that of the nation and the African continent.”

Elaborating, Dr Samia said the digital archive reflects the journey of the life of Dr Salim as a leader, public servant and a renowned diplomat.

“As I went through the archive, I learnt that it’s going to reflect on the history of the country through the lens and Dr Salim’s own narration, all combined in a special way with his speeches, written communication, newspaper cuttings, photos and video footage.

“The same applies to letters and other written communication which show Dr Salim’s capabilities to advise and strengthen liberation movements and development of the African continent,” she said.

She added: “This is a great asset for the country with great benefits to all those who like to learn issues of leadership, diplomacy and international relations. It’s also a great reminder to present and future leaders on the importance of integrity, resiliency, humility and patriotism.

“A great asset to think tanks and academicians on various issues relating to leadership, diplomacy and development as a whole.”

She urged Tanzanians and leaders to have a culture of documenting and preserving their life histories to benefit present and future generations.

“The archive bears a lot of teachings but to me the most important one is on endurance and not giving up and observing discipline in work and leadership,” pointed Dr Samia.

As a mentor and adviser, she noted that Dr Salim helped many in realising their dreams as he gave priority to education for himself, family members and people around him.

She called upon them to emulate the good example of Dr Salim by starting to document their own lives.

Former Prime Minister Judge Joseph Warioba considered Dr Salim as a person   who is highly knowledgeable and constant learner.

“After being appointed PM in 1984, he brought huge changes within 19 months only…I remember the time he went to Lindi and found people with no proper clothing. Upon his return from the trip, he ordered authorities to take cloths to the region immediately without notifying the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere,” he said.

Describing Dr Salim and how he knew the diplomat, Ambassador Christopher Liundi observed that the former PM had good listening skills, including being time conscious and a very humble person.

He advised youths to effectively use the digital archive to acquire knowledge, recommending that the archive should be part of Africa’s heritage.

Ambassador Liundi requested the government to establish a single body responsible for collecting and preserving notable histories of liberation movements, noting that information is currently in the hands of many individuals among the public.

For her part, Ambassador Amina Salum, who was mentored by Dr Salim, described the leader as a shining star in the world of diplomacy and politics, stressing that he had a golden heart which wanted to see every person prosper.

Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, Mr January Makamba said the former fifth Prime Minister and the eighth Secretary General of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU), contributed in strengthening international cooperation and efforts to resolve conflicts between countries.

“The archive will be a great asset to the ministry and nation as whole, particularly the future generation,” noted Mr Makamba.

Earlier, the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr George Simbachawene revealed that the government possesses an archive in Dodoma.