PRESS RELEASE
UN SECRETARY GENERAL STOPS IN DAR ON HIS WAY TO NEW YORK
H.E. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania has urged the United Nations to continue its support in bringing about political stability in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In his special message to the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres President Magufuli explained that the recent instability in the two countries has created refugees’ influx in Tanzania and its neighbors, hence the region is committed to ensure political stability is restored.
Delivering President Magufuli’s message to the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga said that as the chair of EAC, Tanzania is hopeful with the progress been made in the mediation process in Burundi under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and facilitated by the former President of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa. Hon. Mahiga also informed the UN Secretary General that the upcoming EAC Summit is expected to receive a progressive report about the process.
With regards to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Minister Mahiga revealed that the Southern African Development Community is intending to include the agenda of political transition in DRC, whereby SADC member states are expecting positive deliberations. Tanzania is the current chair of the SADC organ of political, defense and security with the mandate to support the achievement and maintenance of peace and security as well as the rule of law in the SADC region.
Upon receiving President Magufuli’s message, Mr. Guterres praised Tanzania for its ability to uphold principles of good governance in the country as well as maintaining peace and creating a peaceful environment in the EAC and SADC regions.
Mr. Guterres commended President Magufuli’s efforts in Burundi peace process, and his readiness to host refugees from Burundi, emphasizing the role played by regional communities in Africa in resolving leadership crisis in African countries.
“The United Nations appreciates the work done by President Mkapa in Burundi under the EAC and its leadership. If the region come together the way EAC has done in the case of Burundi, I am sure together they will be able to establish lasting solutions” he remarked.
Minister Mahiga told the reporters that President Magufuli met Mr. Guterres during the AU Summit in Addis Ababa earlier this year, where the two leaders exchanged cordial discussions about various issues concerning the region.
“President Magufuli instructed me to deliver his message to Mr. Guterres, and has also extended an invitation to the Secretary General at an appropriate time to have a working visit in the country” concluded Hon. Mahiga.
Mr. Guterres was met and held talks with Foreign Minister Mahiga at the Julius Nyerere International Airport yesterday night where he was on transit from Somalia and Kenya for a working visit. Also present at the airport was the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including the Director of Multilateral Cooperation Ambassador Celestine Mushy and Ministry’s Spokesperson Ms. Mindi Kasiga.
Issued by:
Government Communication Unit,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,
Dar es salaam, Tanzania
March 9, 2017.
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