UNITED Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
presents to Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, Dr
Augustine Mahiga, his book, which gives an account of responsibilities
during his tenure in office, which can be used as terms of reference. Dr
Mahiga is in New York, attending the 71st session of the United Nations
on behalf of President John Magufuli. (Photo courtesy of UN)
UNITED Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki Moon, has urged Tanzania to uphold mediation efforts in conflict-hit countries across the Great Lakes region.
Mr Ki Moon observed yesterday during his
meeting with Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister,
Ambassador Augustine Mahiga. Dr Mahiga is in New York, where he is
attending the 71st session of the United Nations on behalf of President
John Magufuli.
The UN chief stressed that Tanzania,
being an abode for peace, security and democracy, should sustain its
efforts to promote peaceful dialogue in conflict- borne countries,
including South Sudan, Burundi and DRC. “I thank the Tanzanian
government for a well done job in promoting peace and security in the
region.
South Sudan is currently giving us
serious doubts. President Magufuli should help restore security and
peace in the newest country,” he told Amb. Mahiga. Apparently, the UN
chief lauded Tanzania for a continued support in peace mission as well
as dedicated peace troop in Africa.
Mr Ki Moon seized the opportunity to
thank Tanzania for voting him into second term as UN Secretary General.
“I thank Tanzania, former President Jakaya Kikwete and you minister
(Mahiga) and other government leaders for facilitating my
re-appointment,” he stressed.
He paid tribute to the 17 souls lost
during the Saturday’s 5.7 Richter Magnitude Earthquake that struck
Kagera Region. Mr Ki Moon is in his last year in office and already the
process to get his successor is underway.
Dr Mahiga told the UN Chief that he is
representing President Magufuli who is still working on the earthquake
aftermath. On his part, Amb. Mahiga lauded Mr Ki Moon for his good work
as the UN boss during his ten years in office.
“On behalf of Tanzania, we are grateful
for the contribution that you have made during your leadership at the
UN. You offered a greater support to Tanzania, including appointing Dr
Asha-Rose Migiro to be your deputy, also appointing me as your special
envoy in Somalia,” Amb. Mahiga told the UN chief. He explained that Mr
Ki- Moon had given most priority to Africa and Africans during his
entire time in office.
The foreign minister assured Mr Ki-Moon
of Tanzania’s commitment to sustain mediation efforts in the Great Lake
region. Meanwhile, Tanzania has appealed to international community to
discuss the issue of stateless people at the ongoing UN General
Assembly.
Amb. Mahiga made the plea on Tuesday at
the assembly’s session in New York. Tanzania raised the concern as among
the countries that accommodate refugees or helping the latter morally
and materially, including granting them citizenship, employment and
humanitarian aid.
At the session held to discuss the
refugee issue, countries were required to give new pledges on helping
the displaced persons to get more opportunities to relieve them of the
many challenges they face. Dr Mahiga told participants that for Tanzania
to shelter the refugees, it was a historic matter that started many
years ago.
“Due to its geographical location,
Tanzania became an immediate place for refugees to seek asylum. For over
60 years now, we have been receiving them and giving them shelter,” he
said.
He pledged that the country will
continue supporting the refugees by considering local and international
laws. “We have always been insisting on having regular discussions on
the challenges facing the refugees.
But now another problem of having
stateless people is becoming rampant as a number of them, particularly
youth, is increasing,” he said. Such situation has been more seen in
southern part of the Great Lakes.
“When we discuss about the refugees,
it’s also good to consider that there is a problem of presence of
stateless people,” Amb. Mahiga pointed out.
Being a member of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), Tanzania
vowed to push the same agenda to these regional platforms for
discussion.
Dr Mahiga promised at the assembly that
Tanzania would help the refugee children access social services,
including education and health. For the adults, the country would
empower them to be able to employ themselves in agricultural sector.
Tanzania also pledged not to forcefully deport the refugees to their home countries
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