Samia: Promote reconciliation, tolerance and reform for sustainable development

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for promoting reconciliation, tolerance and reform for the country to achieve sustainable growth.

President Hassan issued the call in the Uhuru Stadium on Friday, April 26, 2024, while leading Tanzanians in commemoration of the union's 60th anniversary.

The United Republic of Tanzania was established on April 26, 1964, following the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume was appointed as the first vice president and head of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council, while Julius Nyerere became president.

Several leaders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and East African Community (EAC) countries attended the spectacular commemorations.

The presidents in attendance and their respective countries in brackets are Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Azali Assoumani (Comoro), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Félix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of the Congo), William Ruto (Kenya), and Nangolo Mbumba (Namibia).

The event was also attended by the President of Somalia, Mr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is also slated to commence an official state visit to Tanzania tomorrow (Saturday, April 27, 2024).

Malawi and Uganda were respectively represented by vice presidents Saulos Chilima and Jessica Alupo, while Mozambique was represented by its Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, also attended the event, with other countries, including Zimbabwe, sending their representatives.

Addressing the nation during the event, the Head of State said promoting reconciliation, tolerance, and reforms would enable Tanzania to build sustainable peace and tranquillity, and bring about the country’s development.

“Today we are proud that our country has attained the lower middle economy status, with all evaluations showing indications of continuing to strengthen the realisation of the upper middle economy status,” she said.

“Therefore, we should continue maintaining the country’s peace to build the country’s economy and further bring prosperity to our people,” she added.

President Hassan said all this would be possible if Tanzanians continued working hard and skillfully to improve efficiency for the prosperity of the country, noting that the forefathers believed that work was a measure of personality.

“When we stand and advocate the rights of Tanzanians, the same should go concurrently with the obligation to work hard for the realisation of human beings’ basic rights, the prosperity of our people, and humanity,” said President Hassan.

She said the union between the two countries was a voluntary decision, noting that throughout the 60 years of unification, the country with over 120 tribes and religious disparities has successfully managed to remain unified through the Kiswahili language.

According to her, during that time, the country managed to protect and maintain peace and tranquillity.

“Through the union, we have managed to build cohesion and national solidarity, strengthen brotherhood, and make significant development strides politically, economically, and socially,” she said.

Welcoming President Hassan, the President of Zanzibar and chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi commended former union leaders for maintaining and progressing union goals as well as addressing its challenges.

Union 60

He said it brings comfort and encouragement that contentious matters that were considered challenges have been resolved, with the remaining few being at different levels of resolution.

“On behalf of the Zanzibaris, I promise fellow citizens that we will continue to be sincere believers in the union. We will ensure the union continues to exist, is strengthened, and lasts longer for the benefit of present and future generations,” he said.

Earlier, President Hassan said that despite the country’s happiness to mark the 60th Union commemorations, her government understood that citizens in some regions were grappling with the disastrous effects of floods due to the ongoing rainfall.

“We pray for their comfort, and they should stay assured that the government is doing everything in its power to restore the damaged infrastructure,” she said.

She called on citizens to follow and abide by precautions issued by the weatherman to prevent severe destruction.

“I should also use this opportunity to console our people and those in the neighbouring countries who are also struggling with similar effects due to heavy rains,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Sadc countries, President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani said the founding fathers of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Comoros have built a concrete foundation of cooperation for the countries’ social and economic development. “We promise to maintain and heighten the collaboration.”

On behalf of the EAC member states, the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, said Tanzania and Burundi historically relate to each other despite the existence of colonial boundaries.

President Hassan arrived at the Uhuru Stadium at 11:16 am, received 21 gun salutes, and inspected the six guides formed by all armed forces.

The six other guides were stationed outside the stadium and later entered the stadium, saluting the president, who doubles as Tanzania’s commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

They also displayed different military activities and training aimed at assuring Tanzanians of their readiness to protect the country’s borders ahead of the next 60 years of the union.