‘Tanzania open to friendship with all nations’

DODOMA: TANZANIA remains open to friendship and cooperation with all nations and will not inherit hostility from other countries, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo has said.

Ambassador Kombo declared this while defending the country’s diplomatic position and growing international engagement. Winding up debate on his ministry’s budget estimates in Parliament yesterday, Ambassador Kombo said Tanzania values sovereignty, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence with all countries.

“All nations are friends of Tanzania and we do not inherit other people’s enemies. No one has the authority to force Tanzania to hate another country because they consider it an enemy,” Ambassador Kombo said. He warned that the country would respond diplomatically to any external attempts to exploit its internal challenges or undermine its sovereignty.

“Those seeking to use our weaknesses to suppress, intimidate or undermine… Tanzania will receive a diplomatic response because this country deserves respect,” he said.

The minister praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for promoting reconciliation, political tolerance and national unity since assuming office, saying her leadership had restored Tanzania’s international image and strengthened diplomatic relations globally.

He said President Samia extended an “olive branch” to political leaders, religious groups and civil society organisations, attracting renewed international goodwill and cooperation. He added that Tanzania continues to stand out as a peaceful and united country free from religious discrimination and sectarian divisions.

“Tanzania has no religious discrimination. I do not even know the denominations of my deputies and they do not know mine,” he said.

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Ambassador Kombo also urged Tanzanians to continue supporting and praying for President Samia, saying she had endured immense pressure while steering the country through difficult moments.

“Our country faced serious challenges, yet President Samia carried the burden of criticism alone. Sometimes we must show compassion and support our leader,” he said.

The minister further called on Members of Parliament and other leaders to defend national unity in line with their constitutional responsibilities. He revealed that shortly after appointing him minister, President Samia entrusted him with delivering 25 special letters to different countries explaining Tanzania’s situation during a sensitive political period. “I travelled across the world explaining what had happened in Tanzania.

Many leaders asked why we had delayed engaging them, and I explained that the government was still being formed after the election period,” he said. Ambassador Kombo said Tanzania’s diplomatic outreach, including engagements with global leaders and institutions such as the Vatican, helped restore international confidence in the country.

On concerns regarding the safety of Tanzanians in South Africa, he said all Tanzanians there remain safe and none has been affected by recent incidents circulating online.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Mussa Zungu said Tanzania remains a land of democracy, prosperity and respect for human rights despite challenges experienced during the events of October 29, 2025. He called on the international community and development partners to support reconciliation and healing efforts in the country