YEAR ENDER. 2023: Year of honouring Dr Salim 

TANZANIA: THE launch of the Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Digital Archive last year by reflecting on the journey of his life as a leader, public servant and a renowned diplomat indicates how the diplomat contributed in flying Tanzania’s flag high on the diplomatic stage.

The digital archive launching in Dar es Salaam was followed by renaming of the Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) after the diplomat’s name, a task that was carried out by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

This indicated 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.

“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,” Dr Samia was quoted as saying.

According to her, the aim of renaming the institution after the diplomat was 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,” Dr Samia said.

She added: “As I went through the archive, I learnt that it’s going to reflect on the history of the country through the lens of 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.”

Speaking further on the importance of the digital archive, President Samia said it was a great asset for the country with great benefits to all those who would like to learn issues of leadership, diplomacy and international relations.

According to President Samia, the performance of Dr Salim served as a great reminder to present and future leaders on the importance of integrity, resiliency, humility and patriotism.

“The content of this digital archive serves as a great asset to think tanks and academicians on various issues relating to leadership, diplomacy and development as a whole,” President Samia said.

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 leaders who attended the event described Dr Salim as person who flew Tanzania’s name high in the world of diplomacy.

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,” Judge Warioba recalled the incident.

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

He advised youth 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 history 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 the diplomat had a golden heart and 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.