Diplomats explore Tanzania, marking 50 yrs Independence

Various members of the Diplomatic Envoys listening on as Hon. Vuai Ali Vuai, the CCM Deputy Secretary General of Zanzibar, explained on how the Late President Abeid Amani Karume was assassinated as he seated on this office back in April 7, 1972.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is looking at various historical archives at the Museum of the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. Others are Amb. Juma Alfani Mpango, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (right) and Mr. Emmanuel Buhohela of ITV (center).

Hon. Membe leading diplomatic envoys to pay respect to Mama Maria Nyerere and the gravesite of the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere in Butiama.

This is the gravesite where the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was laid to rest. The Late Mwalimu died on October 14, 1999 at St. Thomas Hospital in London where he was admitted suffering from Leukemia.

The Ambassador of Palestine here in Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Nasri K. Abujaish greets Mama Maria Nyerere at her home in Butiama, Mara Region.

Hon. Membe explaining to the Diplomatic Envoys about the Laetoli Footprints at the Oldupai Museum in Ngorongoro. About 30 Envoys attended the three day official tour, started from Butiama to Serengeti, passing through Ngorongoro Craters and lasted in Zanzibar.

By Tagie Daisy Mwakawago

As Tanzania soon prepares to celebrate its 50 years of independence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation started preliminary celebration by creating a history of its kind.

Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe, the celebrations started with a three day official tour that included Diplomatic Envoys accredited to Tanzania.

The first day of the tour began on the 8th of October, where the Diplomats were taken on tour buses to the birthplace of the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere in Butiama, Mara Region.

Envoys joined the tour came from 29 different nations which included the United States of America, Germany, Canada, Finland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Angola, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Palestine, Pakistan, Nigeria, and few others.

Also on tour were Ambassador Juma Alfani Mpango, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps who is also an ambassador of Congo, Ambassador Tim Clarke, the Head Delegation of European Union (EU) and Dr. Alberic Kacou, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

While in Butiama, the Diplomats toured the archived museum of the Late Nyerere ‘Baba wa Taifa’ (the Father of the Nation) and paid respects to His widow Mama Maria Nyerere. Afterwards, they laid wreaths on the grave of the Late Nyerere.

In turn, the Nyerere family gave their vote of thanks, expressing their appreciation in having distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Community at their home.

On second day, the tour incorporated the wonders of Oldupai Gorge, historical sight in Ngorongoro Conservation Area where the Pliocene Site of Laetoli preserves hominid footprint trail and plants fossils which were discovered million of years ago.

Before touring the Oldupai Museum where an exhibition of the reburial footprint site was stored, Dr. Paul Msemwa, the Managing Director of Tanzania National Museum gave background history of the human evolution which began from 3.6 million years ago.

After Oldupai Gorge, the safari drive around Ngorongoro and Serengeti began and the Diplomats took some photos of the Maasai and various animals scattered along the dusty road - - lions, giraffes, zebras, and the likes. It was an opportunity to admire and see the beauty of these natural creations in close proximity.

Afterwards, the diplomatic envoys attended special dinner hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Speaking on behalf of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Ms. Devota K. Mdachi, who is the Director of Marketing, highly praised the TTB’s efforts in expanding the National Parks to attract many tourists.

She chronologically cited the success of the TTB in promoting tourism sector in Tanzania from various nations around the world which includes nations which some Diplomats were in attendance.

Ms. Mdachi also took an opportunity to entice and challenge the Envoys to visit the Ministry of Tourism’s website and vote for Mount Kilimanjaro as one of the Seven Natural Wonders in the World, to which the competition ends on November 11, 2011.

In turn, Hon. Membe expressed the need for Government to create more archeology schools, and pleaded to the members of the Diplomatic Community to assist in bringing their expertise in this field or provide training opportunities to their country.

On third day, the Diplomats were taken to view the Ngorongoro Crater. It was another opportunity to view animals up close and see the natural wonders of the Crater. Various animals like lions, elephants, zebras, antelopes, buffalos, wildebeests and rhinoceroses, were scattered around the area for photo taking view.

After the Ngorongoro Crater, the Diplomats headed to Zanzibar. Zanzibar was a special place for many reasons. The symbolization of the unification of the two countries of Tanganyika and Zanzibar later resulted in the birth of country Tanzania.

The Late Sheikh Karume championed the revolution which later led to the deposing of the last Sultan in Zanzibar. In addition, the close relationship that existed between the Late President Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, the First President of Zanzibar, and the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was historically special.

Arriving at Kisiwandui Zanzibar, the Diplomatic Envoys were welcomed with remarks from Dr. Mwinyihaji Makame, the Minister for State in the President’s Office and Chairman for the Revolutionary Council, and remarks by Hon. Vuai Ali Vuai, the CCM Deputy Secretary General of Zanzibar.

While at the CCM Headquarters, Hon. Membe told the Diplomatic Envoys that the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Headquarterrs in Kisiwandui holds a special memory as it is an historical site where the Late President Karume was assassinate on April 7, 1972.

He was playing board game known as ‘bao’ in his headquarter office of Afro-Shiraz Party (now known as CCM Headquarters in Kisiwandui, Zanzibar).

Looking at his historical office, there is a broken glass table and chairs where the late Karume was sitting prior to his assassination. On the wall, there are numbers of bullet holes, which were fired on that fateful night.

Afterwards, the Envoys proceeded to pay respects at the gravesite where the Late President Karume was laid to rest. Hon. Membe and Ambassador Mpango, the Dean for the Diplomatic Corps laid wreaths on the grave of the late President Karume.

One of the late Karume’s children, Ambassador Ali Karume, gave vote of thanks to the Diplomatic Envoys saying this was an historical moment for his family. He added that the respect his late Father received was special and his family was honored to be part of it.

Following up was dinner hosted by Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, the Second Vice President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

During his remarks, Ambassador Iddi thanked the Diplomats and welcomed them to visit Zanzibar again to discover the beauties of the Spiced Island.

He also praised the Diplomatic Envoys for their participation in the early Celebrations of 50 Years of Independence.