Samia Suluhu Hassan became President of Tanzania on 19 March 2021 following the sudden death of John Magufuli.[1] She travelled extensively to various multi-lateral meetings on behalf of Magufuli when she was Vice-President. The following is a list of international presidential trips made by Samia Suluhu since assuming office.
Map showing International trips made by Suluhu as President
1 Visit
2 Visits
3 Visits
4 Visits
Tanzania
Number of Visits
Country
1 visit
Angola, Belgium, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City
2 visits
Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Malawi, Namibia, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Zambia
3 visits
Mozambique, United States
4 visits
Kenya, Uganda
2021
The following international trips were made by Samia Suluhu in 2021. She made 11 official trips to 10 different countries, totaling 28 days of official business travel outside the country.
Samia Suluhu made her first state Visit to Uganda. She made a one-day state visit to meet Yoweri Museveni and the various stakeholders in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. The Final Investment Decision agreement for the EACOP Tripartite project was signed.[2][3]
Samia Suluhu made her first visit to Kenya. The two day state visit was focused on improving trade relations between the two countries. She travelled with a delegation of the Tanzanian business community to help alleviate Non-Tariff barriers between the two countries.[4] Suluhu also addressed the Kenyan parliament on 5 May, becoming the 3rd foreign head of state to address the Kenyan Parliament and the second Tanzanian president after Jakaya Kikwete.[5]
Samia Suluhu made her first to a SADC summit in a two-day visit to Maputo. The main focus of the summit was to discuss the regional response to support to Mozambique in addressing the increase in terrorism within its borders. Further topics discussed between the heads of state was regional food and nutrition security, gender and development, and progress in the regional response to HIV and AIDS.[8][9]
Samia Suluhu made her first visit to Burundi as president in a two-day visit to Bujumbura. Suluhu focused her trip on increasing business co-operation between the two countries. She flagged off the Burundi Tanzania business forum and met with the Tanzanian diaspora living in Burundi.[10] There were around eight cooperation agreements signed in the following sectors: mining, agriculture, fishing, energy, health and transfer of detainees. There was a further agreement signed between the two countries to exchange skills in teaching Swahili and French across borders.[11][12]
Samia Suluhu made her first visit to Rwanda as president in a two-day visit to Kigali. Various bilateral agreements were signed in the following sectors: Immigration, Trade, ICT, and Defense. High on the agenda was to discuss the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado where both countries have an MoU with Mozambique. Rwanda's deployment of troops in Mozambique concerned the greater Southern African Development Community, and the meeting aimed to discuss how Rwanda can work with Tanzania one of the blocs core members in the region.[13] While in Kigali Suluhu also visited various industries located in the Kigali Special Economic Zone.[14][15]
Samia Suluhu made a two-day visit to Malawi to attend the 41st Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government. The summit's theme was "Bolstering Productive Capacities in the Face of Covid-19 pandemic for Inclusive, Sustainable, Economic and Industrial Transformation".[16][17]Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi assumed the position of chairman.[18]
Samia Suluhu made her first trip outside of Africa while president. She attended the 76th UNGA summit in New York City. She addressed the General Assembly on September 23, 2021. The last time a Tanzanian president addressed the General assembly was Jakaya Kikwete at the 70th UNGA.[20] The president also had various talks with various US government officials to strengthen bilateral ties.[21]
Samia Suluhu attended the Climate Change Conference in Glasgow also known as COP26. She addressed the assembly on November 1 and throughout the conference met with various heads of states on the sidelines.[22][23]
Samia Suluhu made an official state visit to Egypt for 3 days on invitation by Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Various trade and bilateral agreements were signed to help boost the relations between the two countries.[24] Suluhu also requested further technical assistance from Egypt with the ongoing operations of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station that is being constructed by Egyptian contractors.[25] She also met with ith the CEO of Elsewedy Electric to discuss their partnership in a $200m industrial park the company is looking to build in Kigamboni, Tanzania.[26]
2022
The following international trips were made by Samia Suluhu in 2022. She made 17 official trips to 15 different countries, totaling 58 days of official business travel outside the country.
Samia Suluhu made an impromtu day visit to Pemba Mozambique where she met her counterpart Filipe Nyusi. The details of the meeting was not made public, however, the talks most likely involved the two countries military involvement in the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado.[27]
Samia made her inaugural trip into the European Union by attending the One Planet Summit in Brest France that was focused on developing the Blue economy.
Post summit various Tanzanian ministers signed bilateral agreements with their French counterparts in trade and diplomacy.[28] After the visit in Brest, Samia also held various bilateral meetings with various agencies in Paris. On February 13 Samia met the Tanzanian Diaspora residing in France. On February 14 the president met with the Director-General of the UNESCOAudrey Azoulay. She concluded her visit by meeting the French president Emmanuel Macron.[29] Tanzania and France signed six agreements including funding for the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit and the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank.
Samia visited Belgium after concluding her trip in France. Samia attended the 6th EU-AU summit where she lobbied to have EU sanctions on Burundi lifted.[30] She met with EU president on the side lines. Tanzania received a grant of 425 million euros for various development projects.[31] Before the summit she also held talks with Exiled Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu.[32]
Samia attended Expo 2020 in Dubai to inaugurate Tanzania Day. On the sidelines, Samia met with various high-level members from the UAE.
Before the launch of the Tanzania pavilion at the expo, Samia met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and, On February 26, Samia also met with the King of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[33]
During the Expo, the president held various road shows for business opportunities in Tanzania and signed various agreements in Communication, Technology, Minnin,g and Tourism.[34]
Launch of the documentary, "Tanzania: The Royal Tour"
Details
Samia Suluhu arrived in the United States on April 14. She initially held bilateral talks with various United States counterparts and on April 15 held a joint press conference with US Vice President Kamala Harris. Per the vice president, the tour saw the signing of MOUs of almost $1 billion in investments from various US companies.[35] Samia attended the World Premiere of the documentary "Tanzania: The Royal Tour" in New York on April 18 and the Los Angeles premiere on April 21.[36] The documentary is a film she was part of to help promote Tanzanian tourism.
Samia Suluhu made a state visit to Uganda to help bolster bilateral relations between the two countries. The president also held bilateral talks with the president of Uganda Yoweri Museveni to help fast track bilateral infrastructure projects.[37]
Samia Suluhu made her first visit to West Africa primary to attend an African Development Bank summit. She received the "Africa Road Builders–Babacar Ndiaye Trophy", an awarded administered by the African Development bank for her role in increased infrastructure development in Tanzania.[38] The president also met with various Ghanaian officials to discuss trade expansion.[39]
Samia Suluhu made a 3-day state visit to Oman where she was welcomed by her host the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq. She addressed various Omani business members to continue to invest in Tanzania. Various MOUs were signed in Agriculture, Oil & Gas and Trade.[40]
Samia Suluhu attended the heads of state summit for Southern African Development Community leaders in DRC. The summit was the 30th anniversary of the formation of the organization.[42]
Samia Suluhu attended the World Innovation Summit for health where she spoke during the opening ceremony. She also held bilateral talks with Qatari Amir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[46]
Samia Suluhu made her maiden trip to China for a multi-date state visit per the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both heads of states held bilateral talks and signed 15 agreements. The deals included various loan restructuring agreements and new infrastructure financing deals.[47] Infrastructure deals such as upgrading the TAZARA Railway and the construction of Zanzibar International Airport's new terminal building.[48]
Samia Suluhu attended the COP27 conference in Egypt. Samia led a 12 nation delegation to present a $18bn plan to increase renewal energy generation in solar, wind and hydro power in Southern Africa.[49]
Separately the heads of state of the East Africa Community held a private roundtable with Angola to discuss the situation of the M23 offensive in the DRC[50]After the event, the president held bilateral talks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The two discussed bilateral trade and the progress of the construction of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station.[51]
Samia Suluhu attended the US-Africa Summit 2022 hosted by US President Joe Biden. The summit was attended by 40+ African Heads of state.[52] The president launched the new Tanzania Investment guide at the US Chamber of Commerce.[53]
2023
The following international trips were made by Samia Suluhu in 2023. She made 19 official trips to 18 different countries, totaling 39 days of official business travel outside the country.
Samia along with various African leaders attended the Feed Africa Dakar 2 Summit. Samia was a keynote speaker on Food, Sovereignty and Resilience. The summit hosted by the African Development Bank pledged to increase its investment in continental food production.[55]
Samia along with all other heads of states (minus Salva Kiir of South Sudan) from the East African Community attended an emergency summit hosted by EAC chair Évariste Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura. The summit was focused on the evaluation of the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.[56]
36th ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly
Details
Samia made her maiden visit to Ethiopia to attended the 36th Ordinary summit for the African Union. The summit focused on food security on the continent and Samia Alliance asked her counterparts to support Tanzania when they host the Green Revolution Forum in September. On the sidelines of the summit, Samia and all the other EAC leaders discussed their ongoing intervention in DRC.[57][58][59]
Samia Suluhu Hassan's first trip to South Africa as President of Tanzania. Hassan and her delegation met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Both heads of state co-chaired the Second Session of the Bi-National Commission and signed various MOUs between the two countries.[60]
An emergency summit was called of the SADC Organ Troika, Plus SADC Troika and Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries Heads of State and Government of countries involved in the conflict in Eastern DRC. The heads met to co-ordinate their approach and communications in the intervention in Eastern DRC as multiple countries continue to pledge troops to assist in the conflict.[61] After the summit, the president met with Tanzanian Diaspora in Namibia.
Samia Suluhu made a three-day visit to Malawi. As part of the visit, Samia was a guest of honor at Malawi's 59th Independence day celebrations. The state visit included the signing of various bilateral agreements, including Tanzania's full support to help Malawi introduce Swahili language in schools. On July 5, president Samia was conferred with the Freedom of the Lilongwe City or the Key to the city.[64][65]
Samia Suluhu made a three-day visit to India. Samia first met with the External Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar where the two delegations held bilateral talks. After this, the president headed to the Rashtrapati Bhavan where she was officially received by the President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Further talks were held between the two parties and new agreements were signed between the two countries in the sectors of Trade, Health and Infrastrcture.[69] On October 10 Samia began her day by attending a ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru University where she received an honorary degree.[70] In the evening the president was a chief guest at the India Tanzania Investment forum.[71]
Samia Suluhu conducted a three-day state visit to Zambia, where she participated in the country's 59th Independence Day celebrations as the chief guest, alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The visit also included their presence at the Tanzania Zambia Business Forum.
During the visit, both delegations engaged in bilateral talks and formalized their commitments through the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) including an agreement to export natural gas through the TAZAMA Pipeline. Samia Suluhu addressed the Zambian parliament, emphasizing the need for increased cooperation in joint infrastructure projects, such as the Tazama Pipeline, Tanzam Highway, TAZARA Railway, and the TAZA electricity interconnect, between the two countries.[72][73] Samia also expressed the readiness of the government to upgrade the Kasesya-Nakonde border post along the T20 road.[74] As part of a gesture, the Tanzanian government gifted the Zambian government 20 hectors of land at the Kwala Dry Port along with longer storage period of up to 45 days for Zambian bound cargo.[75]
Additionally, Samia expressed her intent to encourage the Tanzanian parliament to consider extending the visa-free entry for Zambian citizens from 90 days to 180 days, with the aim of promoting greater business cooperation between the two nations.[74]
Samia Suluhu made her first visit to the Southeast Asian country. She held bilateral meeting with President of Indonesia, Jokowi in Bogor State Palace, West Java. During the meeting, both leader signed five agreements in the fields of agriculture, minerals, bureau and maritime economy, diplomatic capacity, and investment promotion and facilitation.[84]
Samia Suluhu made an official visit to the Vatican to hold talks with Pope Francis. Following the meeting with the Pope, the President also held talks along with her delegation with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.[85]
Samia Suluhu made a state visit to Norway per the invitation of King Harald V. The visit aimed to improve bilateral relations between the two countries as the visit marked the 60th anniversary of the two countries establishing diplomatic relations. The visit is only the second state visit after Julius Nyerere visited Norway in 1976.[86]
37th ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly
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Samia Suluhu attended the leaders summit at the African Union. Samia Suluhu and other regional leaders were present during the unveiling of a new statue of the former Tanzanian President the Late Julius Nyerere at the African Union.[87]
Samia Suluhu made a five day state visit to Turkey, the first visit by a Tanzanian president in 14 years. On April 18, the president received an honorary degree in economics from the Ankara University.[89] She also met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the state house in Ankara where the president witnessed the signings of several bilateral agreements.[90]
Samia Suluhu co-chaired the Summit on Clean Cooking, co-chaired by Tanzania and Norway, in Paris.[92] The president also held bilateral talks with president Emmanuel Macron around the conference.[93]
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