President Jakaya Kikwete
President Jakaya Kikwete left for Namibia yesterday afternoon for a three-day state visit during which, among other things, he is scheduled to attend the swearing in ceremony of President-elect Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Accompanied by First Lady Salma, the President is also expected to attend the 20th anniversary of Namibia's independence. The two ceremonies will be held concurrently in Windhoek today.
President Pohamba's ruling party South West African People's Orgnaisation (SWAPO) won the general election for the second time held on November 27-28 last year. The party won by 75 percent of the total valid presidential votes cast. The general elections results were announced on December 4 last year.
A state house statement said President Kikwete will be among the heads of state from SADC region invited to attend the swearing in ceremony as well as the country's Independence Day cerebrations.
The invited heads of state are Bingu Mutharika (Malawi), Jacob Zuma (South African Republic) Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Jose Eduardo Do Santos (Angola) and Rupiah Banda (Zambia).
The Namibian government has also invited other Tanzanians who made outstanding contribution during the country's liberation struggle until it gained her independence in 1990.
Those invited from Tanzania include third phase President Benjamin Mkapa, Secretary General of the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Brig. Hashim Mbita, then the secretary of the African Liberation Committee as well as Mwalimu's widow Mama Maria Nyerere.
Meanwhile, Mbeya Regional Commissioner John Mwakipesile has announced postponement of President's two-day tour of his region following Kikwete's invitation to Namibian independence celebrations.
The President was initially scheduled to start a tour of Mbeya Region tomorrow, the same day he is expected back in the country.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY