H.E. Jakaya Mrisho
Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania gives his opening
remarks earlier today during the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the
African Union Peace and Security Council in Serena Hotel, in Dar es
Salaam. Second right is H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security and Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (1st right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
Listening to
President Kikwete's opening remarks were Dr. Joram Biswaro, Ambassador
of the United Republic of Tanzania in Ethiopia (1st left) and Ambassador Maharage Juma, Chief of Protocol.
Distinguished guests during the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
President Kikwete in a brief discussion with Hon. Membe.
H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security gives his remarks during the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-opertaion gives his remarks during the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (center), Ambassador Vincent Kibwana (left) and Premi Kibanga observing to Tanzania National Anthem playing in the background by the Brass Band (not in the photo) during the opening ceremony of the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (front- 2nd left) walking together with Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (right), his Senior Advisor (Diplomatic Affairs) and Ambassador Joram Biswaro.
H.E. President Kikwete (center) shares a light moment with Hon. Membe and H.E. Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security.
President Kikwete in a group photo with distinguished members of the AU Peace and Security Council.
President Kikwete addresses members of media.
AU: Madagascar on right track to
end
Political Impasse
By Tagie Daisy Mwakawago
“We must have a mindset of peace and security
within our regions. We must not waver,” said President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President
of the United Republic of Tanzania, urging his fellow Africans to uphold principles
of democracy and build a strong foundation that can keep and maintain stability
within the Continent.
President Kikwete gave his opening remarks earlier
today during the 368th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and
Security Council, where he thanked the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, for her admirable
leadership and for enabling this meeting to take place for the first time in
Tanzania since the establishment of the AU Peace and Security Council in
2004.
During his remarks, President Kikwete, who is also
the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) – Organ
on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, stated that AU has been a driving
force in promoting peace within the continent, and that the time has come to
strengthen its framework in order to act swiftly whenever crises arise.
This year marks 50 years Anniversary of the
Organisation of African Union (now African
Union) where Africa has seen significant step towards peace and stability
since its independence. President
Kikwete said that such positive shift results from the active engagement of the
AU and regional economic communities where peace and security challenges have
been addressed progressively.
“We must stay the cause and guard against divisive
politics based on ethnicity, regionalism or religion,” asserted President
Kikwete, adding that those who enter into office by force or undemocratic mean
shall not be tolerated.
Speaking on the situation in Madagascar, President
Kikwete said that SADC-Organ welcomed the decision by both former President Marc
Ravalomanana and the current President of the Transition Andry Rajoelina of not
contesting in the upcoming presidential election slated for July 2013, pointing
that it is a positive step towards a peaceful and democratic elections.
“This is a patriotic commitment that the two
leaders have shown, setting aside their own personal interests for the benefit
of the people of Madagascar,” said President Kikwete, commending the two
leaders and urged them to honor such commitments.
President Kikwete
further thanked President Chissano for his tireless efforts and dedication in
molding the crumbled political situation in Madagascar. To the latter, the President also
acknowledged the perseverance shown by the collective efforts and unity of the AU,
the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the International Organization
of La Francophonie as well as the
SADC Members in their continuing support and efforts in finding solutions to
the crisis in Madagascar.
Speaking earlier, the AU Commissioner for Peace and
Security H.E. Ramtane Lamamra stated that Tanzania has been at the forefront in
the search for Continental peace and security since its leading role as a Chair
of the OAU Liberation Committee, spearheaded by the Late Mwalimu Julius
Kambarage Nyerere. He also lauded
President Kikwete for his leadership in peace building within the Continent
during his time as a Foreign Minister and currently as the President of
Tanzania.
For his part, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister
for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation also briefed the AU
delegates about the previous SADC decisions on political situation in Madagascar
made in December 2012 and January 2013 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The decisions underscored the importance of
the full implementation of the Roadmap set in by the AU and SADC-Troika.
“We are meeting today to review any implementations
of the Roadmap in the hope to secure a peaceful, free and fair election in
Madagascar,” said Hon. Membe, speaking on behalf of Tanzania Government which
currently sits as a chair of the AU 368th Ministerial Level Meeting of the
Peace and Security Council for one month.
He said the Meeting is set to consider a report of
the former President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique on the political situation
in Madagascar and discuss the interim AU and SADC-Organ sanctions implemented
by President Rajoelina.
The AU member states will also discuss a framework to
ensure that constitutional order is restored back in Madagascar.
The 368th Meeting was attended by Ministers and
other Representatives from member states of the AU Peace and Security Council
that included Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d’Ivoire,
Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Lesotho, Egypt, Mozambique, Nigeria Uganda
and Tanzania. Also the following
attended during the opening ceremony: United
States of America, the United Kingdom, International Organizations of
Francophone, the European Union and the African Diplomatic Corps.
The meeting is expected to be concluded later in
the evening today.
End.
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