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JK off to India, China and Europe
2008-04-07 10:23:35
By Guardian Reporter
African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete will represent the continent at the two-day Africa-India Heads of State meeting in New Delhi scheduled to open tomorrow.
The President jetted off from Dar es Salaam yesterday for a 13-day foreign tour that will see him lead a delegation comprising several other African leaders to the meeting in India, one of the world`s emerging economic powerhouses.
A State House press statement issued yesterday said the other African leaders at the meeting will include Ghanaian President John Kuffour, immediate former AU chairman and current chairman of the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (Nepad).
Others are Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and a number of leaders representing Nepad member
countries, among them Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, Umaru Yar`Adua of Nigeria, Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.
Also at the meeting will be representatives of eight African economic blocs, including those of the Arab countries (AMU), Sahel-Sahara countries (CEN-SAD), Ecowas, East African Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), Southern African Development Community (Sadc), and Intergovernmental Authority and Development (IGAD).
After the New Delhi meeting, President Kikwete and his entourage will tour China, Denmark, and the UK.
He is scheduled to make a four-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, during which he will hold talks with his host in Sanya in Hainan Province as well as Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
The President will then proceed to Denmark to attend the first meeting of the special commission formed to strengthen links between Africa and Europe, of which he is a member.
The commission was set up by Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen, its thrust being on seeking solutions to problems facing problems facing African countries in the areas of youth and employment.
According to the State House statement, the commission will hold three meetings before releasing its final report and recommendations.
President Kikwete is scheduled to leave Copenhagen on April 16 for London, where he is expected to launch a network for Tanzanians in the Diaspora before having talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The President is scheduled to return home on April 19.
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