President Samia Suluhu Hassan has arrived in Havana, Cuba, today for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and exploring new socio-economic opportunities between Tanzania and Cuba. Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, is already in Havana to prepare for the visit.
During her stay, President Samia will meet with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez tomorrow for discussions on bilateral cooperation and other shared challenges.
Additionally, she will visit the José Martí Memorial and lay a wreath in honor of Cuba’s national hero. She will also unveil a statue of Tanzania’s first President, Julius Nyerere, in the African Heroes area of Havana.
The focus of the visit will be on advancing diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries, including addressing global challenges that require joint solutions.
The trip is expected to further develop the longstanding historical ties between Tanzania and Cuba, particularly in areas such as education, health, and agriculture.
Political analyst Dr. Adam Mnyavanu from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) remarked that the visit reflects Tanzania’s commitment to maintaining the cooperation initiated by its founding leaders, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Fidel Castro.
He noted the historical context of the visit, highlighting the shared socialist ideologies of the two countries in the past and their continued collaboration in various sectors through personnel exchanges.
Dr. Mnyavanu also highlighted the potential for job creation for Tanzanians, particularly through the Kiswahili International Symposium, which President Samia is set to attend.
The symposium is seen as an opportunity to promote Kiswahili and foster cultural exchange. Kiswahili is already taught at several Cuban universities, including the University of Havana, and the symposium could open further opportunities for Tanzanians to teach the language in Cuba and other Caribbean nations.
The trip also offers prospects for deepening people-to-people relations, particularly in the arts and sports, and facilitating future collaborations in fields like book writing.
Dr. Mnyavanu further suggested that both countries explore areas such as joint research in defense, education, and agriculture as part of their continued cooperation.
The visit is also seen as an opportunity for Tanzania to adopt new strategies from Cuba, particularly in the tourism sector.
Dr. Delphine Kessy, Director for Research, Innovation, and Community Engagement at Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), noted that President Samia’s participation in the Kiswahili International Symposium highlights Tanzania’s efforts to promote its language and culture.
She expects the event to draw interest from tourists from the Caribbean, including Cuba and the Bahamas, who are interested in learning about Kiswahili.
Economist Dr. Hildebrand Shayo also emphasized that the visit could bolster trade, investment, education, healthcare, research, and agriculture between the two countries.
He noted that the visit builds on discussions from earlier in 2024, when Cuban Vice-President Salvador Mesa visited Tanzania and signed memoranda of understanding between Tanzanian and Cuban institutions in agriculture and healthcare.
Dr. Shayo also pointed out that the visit demonstrates Tanzania’s ongoing support for Cuba, particularly as Cuba continues to face the challenges of a long-standing economic blockade.
