LONDON: Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic reforms and national reconciliation as part of ongoing efforts to uphold the principles of the Commonwealth, a senior government minister said after a meeting in London.
Palamagamba Kabudi, Tanzania’s minister of state in the president’s office (special duties), gave the assurance while leading the country’s delegation to the 72nd meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in the United Kingdom.
The meeting was chaired by Ian Borg, deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and tourism of Malta.
Kabudi said Tanzania remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting reconciliation and safeguarding the country’s longstanding peace and stability.
“We are firmly committed to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting national reconciliation and safeguarding Tanzania’s longstanding peace and stability,” he said.
He updated member states on the government’s response to events that occurred on Oct. 29 last year and outlined ongoing reforms being implemented under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Kabudi said the reform agenda is guided by a national framework known as “Repair – Rebuild – Renew”, aimed at reinforcing democratic institutions, promoting reconciliation and restoring public confidence in governance.
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During the meeting, he highlighted the work of an independent commission of inquiry chaired by former chief justice Mohamed Chande Othman and preparations for establishing a national reconciliation commission to support dialogue and social cohesion.
He also reaffirmed Tanzania’s readiness to facilitate a visit by the special envoy of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
CMAG welcomed Tanzania’s engagement and encouraged continued progress on the reform measures, emphasising the importance of democratic governance, the rule of law and adherence to the Commonwealth Charter.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is the organisation’s main mechanism for addressing serious or persistent violations of the political values and principles contained in the charter.
Its current members include Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Canada, Grenada, Malaysia, Mauritius, Samoa, Zambia and Malta, which serves as chair.
Tanzania said it would continue engaging constructively with the Commonwealth Secretariat and fellow member states as it advances its reform and reconciliation process.
The CMAG meeting formed part of a broader series of engagements in London linked to Commonwealth meetings, including the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM).
On the sidelines of the visit, Kabudi met Tanzanians living in the United Kingdom and conveyed greetings from President Hassan, encouraging members of the diaspora to continue investing in Tanzania and contributing their expertise to national development.
He said Tanzanians living abroad play an important role in supporting the country’s economic growth through investment, capital and skills gained overseas.
Kabudi urged diaspora members to participate in development projects, purchase shares in investment initiatives and collaborate with professionals in Tanzania to strengthen sectors such as health, education and technology.
He was accompanied during the visit by the president’s adviser on diplomacy, Lazaro Nyalandu. The delegation was received at Tanzania’s High Commission in London by High Commissioner Mbelwa Kairuki.
Speaking on behalf of Tanzanians in London, Hassan Khamis thanked Kabudi for meeting the diaspora and said Tanzanians abroad would continue working with the government to support the country’s development.