SAMIA – LOURENÇO TALKS: Economic ties top agenda

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan and Angolan President João Lourenço have agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment and social development, underscoring their shared ambition to transform the two countries’ historic ties into tangible economic gains.

In a post on her social media platforms, President Samia said the discussions on Friday evening focused on advancing bilateral relations in ways that would improve the welfare of citizens and fulfil the vision of the founding leaders of Tanzania and Angola.

President Samia was in Angola on a two-day working visit, during which she joined President Lourenço yesterday to officially inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hospital in Luanda.

The modern health facility, named after Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, symbolises Angola’s recognition of his unwavering support for independence movements across Southern Africa and his vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous continent.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Angola’s Minister for Health, Dr Silvia Lutucuta, said the hospital represents a lasting remembrance of Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy and his commitment to human dignity, education and development.

She said Nyerere remains one of Africa’s greatest statesmen whose leadership shaped the continent’s history, particularly through his support for countries fighting for selfdetermination.

“Julius Kambarage Nyerere, affectionately known throughout Africa as Mwalimu, was a statesman of unparalleled vision. He led Tanganyika to independence and became one of the greatest references of Pan-Africanism, African unity and cooperation among peoples,” Dr Lutucuta said.

She said Angola would never forget Tanzania’s solidarity and the political support extended by Nyerere during the country’s liberation struggle.

“Angola will never forget the solidarity, political support and unwavering commitment of the United Republic of Tanzania and President Julius Nyerere towards our national liberation struggle,” she said.

Dr Lutucuta noted that Tanzania under Nyerere provided a safe haven for liberation movements and stood firmly with African people fighting for freedom and independence.

She said the decision by President Lourenço to name the specialised medical facility after Nyerere was a recognition of his humanistic and transformative leadership.

The President Julius Nyerere Hospital will be providing specialised treatment for patients suffering from severe burns, complex wounds and other critical medical conditions. It integrates specialised services including burns treatment, complex wound management, reconstructive plastic surgery, regenerative medicine, intensive care, modern diagnostics and rehabilitation.

The facility has a capacity of 252 inpatient beds, including 56 intensive care beds serving adults, children and newborns.

She added that the project has also created employment opportunities and strengthened technical capacity in Angola, with about 2,900 workers involved in its construction, 80 per cent of whom were Angolan nationals.

Representing the Nyerere family, Madaraka Nyerere said the inauguration reflected the lasting friendship between Tanzania and Angola, founded on mutual respect, solidarity and a shared vision for Africa’s progress.

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“It is a very captivating moment, which reflects the lasting friendship between Angola and Tanzania,” he said.

He said the hospital represented the values that Mwalimu Nyerere championed, including human development, unity and service to humanity.

“An institution dedicated to curing illness, restoring hope and saving humanity embodies the ideals he cherished,” Madaraka said.