President Jakaya Kikwete swears in Ambassador Celestine Mushy (R) as Director for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Tryphone Mweji)

President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday swore in ten new directors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who will also assume diplomatic status with most of them promising to strengthen cooperation between Tanzania and other countries.

Speaking shortly after the function held at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Naimi Aziz who becomes the director for regional cooperation said she would focus on strengthening the existing regional integration.

She said Tanzania must foster close ties with other African countries especially those within the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Vincent Kibwana, director (department of Africa) promised to collaborate with experienced staff to find solutions to problems facing African countries.

“Africa as a continent has a lot of challenges…I promise to work on them in collaboration with my colleagues”, he noted.

Bertha Somi, director, (department of Diaspora) said that among other things, she will make sure that Tanzanians living abroad contributes to the country’s development.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benard Membe said the new directors will increase the number of Tanzanian ambassadors from the current 32 to 42.

Membe said Ramadhan Mwinyi who comes from Zanzibar will represent Tanzania in the United Nations. He said the appointment has considered gender balance, with three of new appointees being women.

Others in the list are Celestine Mushy (department of multilateral cooperation), Yahya Simba (department of Middle East), Irene Kasyanja (legal department); Dorah Msechu (Europe and America department); Mbelwa Kairuki (Austral-Asia department) and Silima Haji (Foreign Affairs department, Zanzibar).

Before the appointments, Kibwana, Simba, Somi and Haji were Principal Foreign Service Officers whereas Aziz, Msechu and Kasyanja were Deputy Directors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Celestine Mushy was Acting Private Secretary to the Prime Minister in the Prime Minister's Office while Kairuki was personal assistant to the President, President Office.

Their appointments became effective in May 2nd this year.