THE visit of the United States Vice President Kamala Harris to the country from March 29 to 31st this year is nothing but music to the ears of many Tanzanians.
This is a strong assertion of the diplomatic prowess that President Samia Suluhu Hassan possesses, as she clocks two years as the Tanzania’s Chief Executive Officer.
Since assuming office, Dr Samia has been slowly but surely demonstrated an unmatched determination of retaining Tanzania’s status in international diplomacy.
In her maiden speech at the Head of State two years ago, Dr Samia, through her reconciliatory tone, expressed her intent of rekindling Tanzania’s international relations and reputation, with Kenya being her first destination on her bucket list.
The two-day visit signaled the strengthening of ties between the two East African neighbours after years of feuding.
In 2017, the two countries were at odds when Tanzania police set ablaze 6,400 chicks for allegedly being imported illegally from Kenya.
The chicks were impounded at the northern Namanga border post before being set alight.
A few months later, diplomatic tensions threatened to flare up over pastures for cattle belonging to the Maasai community who live on the two sides of the border.
In March, last year, Kenya banned maize from Tanzania, claiming that it contained high levels of mycotoxins that exceed safety limits.
This wouldn’t not only end with Kenya, as DrSamia has extensively travelled to a number of countries, determined to retain Tanzania’s status.
From the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) to the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022 in Washington, D.C., DrSamia is truly living up to the billing of polishing the one stained image of the country.
Even when she travelled outside the country, the President didn’t shy away coming back with goodies. Last year, Dr Samia visited China and held talks with her counterpart, Xi Jinping.
The visit witnessed the signing of 15 agreements in Beijing, one of them being a $13.7 million grant to Tanzania as part of a new Economic and Technical Co-operation pact. The deal will mean the grant value is chalked off Tanzania’s debt to China.
Beijing has also approved a 2.5bn/- to Tanzania to help it curb outbreaks on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Similarly, United Arab Emirates companies have made in-roads into Tanzania, following President SamiaSuluhu’s trip to the Gulf country last year.
In February this year, Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and UAE-based Blue Carbon LCC announced a joint environmental conservation programme to promote sustainable forest management practices while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, Dr Samia visited and met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During the visit, the two leaders discussed a raft of issues, chiefly being boosting security cooperation and trade opportunities between the two countries.
“We have agreed to enhance our cooperation in the areas of trade and investment considering that South Africa is among the main sources of direct foreign investment in Tanzania,” said DrSamia.
She also singled out that tourism and manufacturing as the leading sectors for investment.
