Your Excellency Barack Obama, President of the United States of America and Madam;
Your Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, President of Zanzibar;
Your Excellency Mizengo Pinda, Prime Minister
Excellencies Retired National Leaders;
Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners;
Honourable Ministers, Officials of the US and Tanzanian Governments;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am truly delighted to once again to welcome you Mr. President, the US First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama and your distinguished delegation to Dar es Salam, “the haven of peace”. The people of Tanzania and I are extremely happy that you included Tanzania in your second visit to Africa. Your presence in our dear country today speaks volumes about the warm and fraternal relations that so happily exist between the United States of America and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Indeed, the news of your visit generated great enthusiasm and as I mentioned earlier, I have not see the people of Tanzania from all walks of life come out in such big numbers to receive a foreign Head of State. You are so special to the people of Tanzania. We love you, we love the United States of America and truly value our relations.
It is heartwarming indeed, this is your view and wish. You said it during the official talks and at the press conference. Let me once again express our deepest thanks and appreciation to you, your administration and the people of the United States of America for the continued support and assistance extended to the government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania. Your support in food security, education, health care, roads, electricity and water has help improve the lives of many people in Tanzania. I believe continued support will mean more people being lifted out of poverty. Your words of assurance that your government will continue to assist Tanzania in our development endeavors have been received so dearly by all of us.
Mr. President;
During the official talks we both underscored the need to take our relations beyond aid to increased trade and investment. The business meeting organized by the Corporate Council on Africa bringing together over 200 US businessmen and their Africa counterparts underscores this fact. From now on, Africa would wish to see increased investment and trade relations with the United States of America. This could be at bilateral and regional levels as exemplified by the cooperation being developed between the United States and the East African Community.
Mr. President;
Tomorrow you will be launching the “Power Africa Initiative” aimed at assisting African nations overcome the electricity deficit facing our many nations. This is a short in the arm coming at the right time. Africa is poised to take great strides on the path to high socio-economic growth and development. But these efforts are grossly being undermined by lack of adequate electricity. US intervention therefore will go a long way towards enabling African nations to unleash their growth potential and improve the wellbeing of its people. It will enhance competiveness, promote industrialization and make our countries active players in the global economy and partners in global trade instead of being more recipient of foreign aid.
Mr. President;
We thank you for your leadership in addressing development and security challenges facing African nations. You have been an inspiration to all of us who cherish the values of democracy, individual freedom, diversity, equal opportunity and a conflict free Africa. You are a true friend of Tanzania and Africa. We will always cherish this in our hearts and minds.
We hope you will find time in future to come for a longer stay so that we could show you more of Tanzania; the land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and the spice Island of Zanzibar.
Mr. President;
Madame Michelle Obama;
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After those many words, it is now my singular honour and pleasure to ask all of you present to rise and join me in a toast:
• To President and Mrs. Obama
• To the American People
• To enduring friendship and cooperation between Tanzania and the United States
I thank you for your kind attention.
Asanteni Sana!