Samia pledges closer cooperation between Tanzania and Malawi

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday promised to sustain the cooperation between Tanzania and Malawi that will contribute to the economic liberation of the two countries and strengthen their citizens’ livelihood.

President Hassan was speaking during the 59th anniversary of Malawi’s independence where she commended the country’s government for being able to maintain peace, unity, stability and national cohesion which were the essential ideals for social economic transformation of any nation.

“To us in Tanzania, the independence of Malawi meant and continues to mean a lot. As neighbours, your independence completed ours, and your progress impacted our progress," she noted. "With your independence, we gained a dependable neighbour and an economic partner."

The President commended the choice of the theme of the commemoration; ‘celebrating renewed unity and patriotism’ saying it was timely an opportune not only for Malawi but for Africa at large which reminded of the country's common historic background, strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics.

She said the theme was a vivid reminder that independence came with responsibilities to safeguard and sustain the hard-won independence. “It reminds us of time and the sacrifices of those who paid a heavy price to secure our independence and make us live up to the expectations of improving welfare of our people and wealth of our nations through trade and economic relations.”

“Tanzania promises to continue to be a reliable strategic and dependable partner and neighbor. We will never be a stumbling block for Malawi’s way to economic prosperity as we see Malawi’s growth as our own growth,” she emphasized.

President Hassan noted that Tanzania will continue to own her obligations and support her neighbours' growth. “As a President of my dear country I take the liberty to confidently say that Tanzania is satisfied with the excellent levels of relations that exist between our two countries. Our promise to Malawi is to ensure that this relation grows from scale to scale.”

She said that the two countries need to continue working more closely to address challenges that their business communities were facing and do more to facilitate and ease the movement of goods and services. “Together, we can take our relations to greater heights.”

In his remarks, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi noted that his country has achieved a lot amidst terrible circumstances but they were aware that with great friends and partners like Tanzania they will accomplish even more.

“It is not a small thing to say that when the last disaster hit us, you stood with us and showed us kindness and solidarity as our friend and neighbour. On this day of our celebration it gives me great joy to have you here,” he concluded amid cheers from the cloud as he welcomed President Hassan to give remarks.

The two neighbouring countries share a history of brotherly relations, with Tanzania coming to the help of Malawi on several occasions with the latest one being in March, 2023 when the East African nation sent $1 million, food and medical consignments to help victims of cyclone Freddy that ravaged part of the Central African country.

An official Note Number 19/2023, which was relayed from the Tanzanian High Commissioner in Malawi to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanzania also sent two military heavy choppers from Dar es Salaam to support rescue operations in Malawi.

Cyclone Freddy first hit Madagascar and Mozambique in February, 2023. The storm went back out to the Indian Ocean and then made a second landfall in March that was far more devastating in Malawi where it killed about 500 people.