President Uhuru Kenyatta left the country this morning to Tanzania for the bicentennial celebrations of the unification of mainland Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar to form the current United Republic of Tanzania.
Recently, commenting on the union of the two regions, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete lauded the progress of his country, saying  the most significant thing in the life of Tanzania is that the union has survived.
” The most significant thing is that the Union has survived. It’s not been easy. There are examples of countries trying to come together but failing like Senegal-Gambia, I think Ghana-Guinea failed, Egypt, Libya tried, but we have survived 50 years and that’s one of the landmark achievements. There have been difficult moments, challenges, but we have managed to overcome them and not only has the Union survived but it has gone from strength to strength. The current exercise we are undertaking of the constitutional review will strengthen it further and consolidate the gains so that we have a stronger Union,” said Kikwete
Meanwhile, world leaders begun sending congratulatory messages to the Tanzanian leader over the 50th Anniversary milestone after the unification of his country. Among the high profile leaders who sent the messages are Pope Francis and the presidents of Germany, France, Ireland, India, South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Algeria, Egypt, South Korea, South Sudan, Benin and People’s Republic of Korea.
In his message, Pope Francis entrusted Dr Kikwete and Tanzanians to the providence of God. “I pray that you may continue to be guided in your efforts to promote the common good, in solidarity with all the people of Tanzania,” said the Pontiff.
Federal Germany President Joachim Gauck, praised President Kikwete for creating a climate of tolerance and the dialogue between religious communities.
“I follow with great interest the broad public discussion about constitutional reform in Tanzania. With your initiative, you gave the country an opportunity to advance the rule of law.
I wish all actors concerned skill and courage, especially to compromise when indifferences arise,” he said.
The President of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, cherished friendly relations that exist between the two countries since time immemorial.
“I would like to express my hope that our bilateral and regional relations will continue to flourish in the years to come and that we will work together to adopt economic, political and social development solutions for the mutual benefit of our two countries and for global prosperity.”
Meanwhile, several Tanzanian missions abroad will arrange special programmes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Union.
Such programmes have been organised in Washington DC, Moscow, Maputo, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur, Cairo and Paris.