Be proud of Kiswahili, Chissano tells Africans

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Be proud of Kiswahili, Chissano tells Africans
Be proud of Kiswahili, Chissano tells Africans
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Be proud of Kiswahili, Chissano tells Africans
2004-11-23 08:22:06
By Peter Tindwa


President Benjamin Mkapa and Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano.

African's must be proud of having Kiswahili as one of their identities, Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano said.

Addressing Tanzanians at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam yesterday, President Chissano said Africans should strive to make Kiswahili their common identity as well as a catalyst for maintaining peace, unity and stability on the continent.

President Chissano was speaking after President Benjamin Mkapa had conferred The First Class Order of the Torch of Kilimanjaro on the Mozambican leader who is due to retire next month after leading the southern African nation for 18 years.

“Tanzanians have assigned me the task of ensuring the Torch is not extinguished in Mozambique, Tanzania and other parts of Africa as well as the world,” he said.

He said Africans should strive to maintain peace and unity in order to realize development and called on developed nations to refrain from imposing their brand of democracy on Africa.

“We need true freedom in politics, culture and economy.
Developed countries must stop interfering with our internal political affairs.

Every African should strive to maintain unity and peace regardless of his or her political affiliation,” President Chissano said.

The Mozambican leader advised opposition political parties in Tanzania, Mozambique and other parts of Africa to work closely with ruling parties in order to maintain their credibility.

“Politicians must put nationalism ahead of personal gain,” President Chissano said.

He paid glowing tribute to Tanzania’s founding father, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, for spearheading liberation struggles in Mozambique and other African countries.

He also thanked Tanzanians for offering both moral and material support to Mozambicans during their struggle against the Portuguese colonial regime.

He asked the Tanzanian government to look into the possibility of rehabilitating and preserving houses used by Mozambican leaders in Dar es Salaam, Kongwa and Nachingwea during the liberation struggle.

President Mkapa said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Jakaya Kikwete that President Chissano was a leader who commanded great respect nationally, regionally and internationally.

“Article 118(5) of the Mozambican Constitution permits you stand for re-election this year, but you voluntarily decided to pass on the tongs of leadership to someone else.

This also has earned you great respect nationally, regionally and internationally,” President Mkapa said.

He said The First Class Order of the Torch of Kilimanjaro had been conferred on President Chissano in recognition of his commendable service to the Mozambican people, contribution to the liberation of southern African countries and the historical friendship and cooperation between Mozambique and Tanzania.


SOURCE: Guardian