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National army bids Mkapa farewell today
2005-10-21 07:51:57
By Guardian Reporter
Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces today will bid farewell to their Commander- in –Chief, who is also the President of the country, Benjamin Mkapa at a parade to be held at the national stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The celebration will start at 8.30 a.m. and the doors of the national stadium will be open earlier to give people an opportunity to witness the historic event, says a press release from State House.
Different national leaders, representatives of political parties, envoys and TPDF soldiers from various barracks, will attend the celebration.
President Mkapa is being bid farewell in the wake of few days to end his ten years of presidency.
Under his leadership, TPDF implemented its responsibility of defense and security with very higher integrity, a thing that has contributed significantly in maintaining the prevailing peace and harmony in the country, according to the statement.
During the period, TPDF participated fully in various social activities including rescue mission in various accidents such as that of MV Bukoba in Mwanza Region, Kilombero ferry disaster and other tragedies.
Other responsibilities carried out by TPDF during Mkapa’s rule included construction of a temporary bridge at Msata area in Coastal Region, construction of government houses at Mbweni in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, crack down of robbers in Arusha and Kagera regions.
In a bid to incorporate people in the national defense team, TPDF has continued to recruit militias in various regions in the country by equipping them with various defense strategies, says the statement.
During his time, the president promoted cooperation between the defense forces of the southern African Development Community and the east African defense Forces that participated in joint exercises of defense and against terrorism.
Mkapa is the third commander-in-chief to lead the TPDF, which was restructured in September 1964.
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