TANZANIA has appealed to the diplomatic corps and members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to support the candidature of Dr Tulia Ackson for the post of the body’s
president.Dr Tulia, Speaker of the Tanzania Parliament has been nominated by the country to run for the presidency of IPU, which is the United Nations partner organisation during the October election in Luanda, Angola.
IPU is a global organisation with almost universal membership that brings together national parliamentarians to deliberate and offer solutions to a myriad of challenges facing humanity.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax, notified of that during a brief session with members of diplomatic corps, who are also members of IPU with regard to the candidature of Dr Tulia in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.
“Tanzania has always counted on your support for her candidature. You have not let us down in the past, and I am sure, you will give us the needed support this time around,” said Dr Tax.
She added: “Tanzania counts on your valuable support and endorsement. May I, therefore, on behalf of the government convey our request to your esteemed governments to support the candidature of Dr Tulia at the election to be held during the 147th Assembly of the IPU in October 2023.”
According to her, this will be the first time Africa will be securing the position of Presidency in the IPU, indicating that Dr Tulia was currently the only candidate that has so far expressed interest in vying for the important post.
Elaborating why it was crucial for Dr Tulia to secure the position, the minister noted that the Tanzanian Speaker was a distinctive politician, a remarkable lawyer, and a distinguished academician who has demonstrated maturity, professionalism, dynamism, and outstanding leadership skills throughout her career.
She noted that as Chairperson of Africa Geopolitical group in the IPU, Dr Tulia is committed to improving the body’s effectiveness, transparency and accountability by among others, reviewing its statutes, processes and operations.
Besides, she was determined to spearhead constructive reforms in the IPU that would make the organisation more effective in promoting peaceful coexistence and global prosperity, as well as seeking to ensure that the geopolitical groups have a greater say and representation in the various organs of the IPU
The Speaker has also expressed determination to use the IPU platform to advocate for increased women representation in parliament, which currently stands at a mere 22 percent, globally.
“She intends to put in place mechanisms for implementing IPU’s resolutions and decisions; and intends to strengthen cooperation with the UN System and other stakeholders; and to set up avenues and mechanisms for regular consultations within and between the Geopolitical groups of IPU on key issues,” maintained the Minister.
Dr Tax said if she will be elected, Dr Tulia is going to be the first woman from Africa to hold that prestigious position, and the first ever president, hailing from the Eastern Africa sub-Region.
For his part, the Ambassador of the Union of Comoros and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Tanzania, Ahamada Mohamed Fakih said having worked with Dr Tulia he considers her as the right candidate for the position based on her experience and good performance.
“She was a member of the African Parliament…the crucial role of Tanzania in championing the liberation struggle of other African countries cannot be underestimated. Let’s all support Tanzania in this crucial endeavor,” noted Ambassador Fakih.
Singida West Legislator, Mr Elibariki Kingu (CCM) observed that the position will promote Tanzania and scale up the vision of women empowerment that is being championed by the government.
Mr Kingu appealed to Tanzanians, the diplomatic corps and media to push for Dr Tulia’s candidacy, so that she can emerge victorious for the betterment of our continent and world as a whole.
Prior to becoming a Speaker of the National Assembly in February 2022, the post she is holding to date, Dr Tulia served as a Deputy Speaker and a nominated Member of Parliament from 2016 to 2020, before wining Mbeya Urban parliamentary seat on CCM ticket in 2020. She also served as Deputy Attorney General of the United Republic of Tanzania for a brief period in 2015.
As Speaker, and Member of Parliament for Mbeya Urban Constituency, Dr Tulia has participated in numerous IPU meetings, including but not limited to, the 144th to 146th Assemblies of the IPU, the 51st Assembly session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), and several ACP Parliamentary Assemblies.
Her participation and engagement with delegates in these meetings have enriched her appreciation of the challenges faced by IPU member states, and opportunities that exist, and the need to enhance cooperation and solidarity.
Her appreciation of such challenges and opportunities accelerated her desire to not only share Tanzania and Africa’s perspectives on solutions for addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, but also the urge to steer the organization in fulfilling its lofty goals. For this reason, she became President of the African Geopolitical group of the IPU, and she is now vying for the Presidency of the IPU.
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