TANZANIAN PRESIDENT CHALLENGES JAMAICA TO ASSUME ITS RIGHTFUL ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF AFRICA

TANZANIAN PRESIDENT CHALLENGES JAMAICA TO
ASSUME ITS RIGHTFUL ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF AFRICA
 

President of the Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in his address to the joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament on November 25 recalled the vision of Marcus Garvey and called on Jamaica to take up the challenge of organizing the African Diaspora so that the vacant seat in the African Union that is reserved for the Diaspora can be filled. He noted that Africa was improving in democracy and needed all descendants to come back and help.

"Very much in keeping with the philosophy of Marcus Garvey, Africa would like to work closely with kith and kin wherever they are on this planet to promote growth and development of the continent. We know that our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora can make a huge difference in the fight against poverty in the motherland...Africa needs skilled manpower, particularly in the technical fields... The African Diaspora can really help with that. There are competent doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists; you name it, who can help in this regard. Africa needs to get access to all the technology. We believe that the African Diaspora can ease the intensity of this problem on the Continent....The Diaspora Seat in the African Union is still empty. My message to you is to get organized and fill it. Maybe Jamaica can take it. I made a similar appeal to the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus last year. I am repeating it here today. I appeal to our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. Come forward. Take your seat that is waiting for you. You need to assume your rightful role in shaping the future of our motherland."

President Kikwete assured the lawmakers that democracy and respect for human rights in Africa was growing across Africa and abuse of State power is an affront to countries, such as Tanzania, which is free from conflict and at peace with its neighbours. The President noted however, that the people of the continent needed support as all countries made that transformation.

"Democracy is taking root in Africa and so is good governance. In the first three decades of our independence, most African governments were at best governed through single party regimes or at worst through military dictatorships. The political landscape of Africa has completely changed....Incidences of seizure of power through military coups have become very rare. Africa is taking a strong stance in making constitutional changes and governments this is enshrined in the African Union that such governments will not be recognized and furthermore, that such governments be suspended from the African Union until democratic rule has been restored. This principle, this new paradigm, is effectively being enforced. The only misgiving we have is lack of good co-operation and support by the international community. Some countries and international institutions have even dared to extend recognition and support to butchers, thus weakening Africa's position. We are proud of the position taken by our nations in our Assembly in September this year in support of Africa guiding the prescription with regard of Madagascar. The President of Madagascar was refused the microphone to address the General Assembly. We see this as a new dawn and a step in the right direction.

It gives hope that Africa's hand be strengthened. We pray for a formal adoption of this position to be the official position of the United Nations to a change in Government not only in Africa, not only in Honduras, but anywhere else."

President Kikwete also noted that democracy is advanced by economic gains and that his country had been hit by the global recession but that they were committed to weather the storm on behalf of their people.

"For the past decade our economy grew 7.1%. Last year we recorded a 8% growth but due to global economic down turn and economic crisis we have unfortunately experienced serious setback, so much so that we have had to revise our growth projections downwards to 5% if are lucky and we are saying, we may get 3%. Our economy is projected to grow a mere 1.5% in 2009. That is why we keep on praying hard for globalization to end and this post war so that we can get further investments. We know that this is the prayers for all the people in this great country and of all of us in the developing world."

President Kikwete and his team close their State Visit to Jamaica today, Thursday, November 26.