AfricaPress-Tanzania: SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai Thursday administered oaths to three nominated Members of Parliament, with Amb Liberata Mulamula who has been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation pledging to promote economic diplomacy and strengthening Tanzania’s relations with other countries around the world.
Two other MPs who are also ambassadors nominated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday are Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk and Dr Bashiru Ally.
Speaking outside Parliament after taking oath, Amb Mulamula said that she will start by enhancing regional cooperation through various blocs such as International Conference on Great Lakes Regions (ICGR), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC).
“I will start by strengthening regional cooperation, as you are all aware, I served as ICGR Executive Secretary for a long time, therefore I am aware of many issues facing this regional bloc, such as conflicts, although it still has good relations with Tanzania,” she said.
She noted that Tanzania has good relations with most countries around the world… “fortunately our country has no enemy … Tanzania has been enjoying good relations with various countries except during the leadership of Iddi Amin, former Ugandan President.
“It is not that Tanzania has established embassies in all countries in the world, but it enjoys good relations with countries around the world through the United Nations and Regional Organisations,” she said.
Ambassador Mulamula further said that she will be a good advisor to President Samia, especially in promoting and strengthening relations with other countries.
“The president is also conversant with issues related to foreign relation because she has been in the fore front of strengthening good relations with regional blocs such as EAC and SADC.”
She further said that she will also push for economic diplomacy as an important component in attaining development in the country.
“Economic diplomacy involves issues such as investments and development projects, we want to have countries which we can cooperate with in executing these projects,” she said.
The envoy noted that although Tanzania has its own resources, it still needs to cooperate with other countries and financial institutions, saying that these are cross cutting issues but the most important thing is to strengthen relations with other nations around the world.
Besides serving as the first Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region of Africa for Peace, Stability and Development, Ambassador Mulamula (64) served in various capacities at the Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Diplomatic missions in New York (Permanent Mission to the UN), Canada and the USA.
For his part, Ambassador Mbarouk who has been appointed as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said that he will support President Samia because he has vast experience in foreign relations.
“I have worked with this ministry for 21 years, so I will use my experience to support the president,” he said.
Speaking after he administered oath to the MPs, Speaker Ndugai called upon cabinet ministers to work hard and cooperate with Members of Parliament to address challenges facing the citizens, especially poor Tanzanians.
Mr Ndugai cited petty traders, saying “we have been hearing complaints by petty traders, why are the ministers responsible not taking action?” he queried.
He also urged the minister responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government not to forget poor Tanzanians, especially in rural areas by providing them with important services such as health, water and education among others.
