BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The 5th session of the Algerian-Tanzanian Joint Commission for Cooperation, held in Algiers, concluded with a momentous decision to hold the 6th Joint Commission in 2025 in Dar Es Salaam. The meeting, co-chaired by the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, and the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ms. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, proved to be highly fruitful, with numerous agreements and memoranda signed, further cementing the bond between the two nations.
The Joint Declaration, issued at the conclusion of the commission, states that the two parties will set and communicate the date for the 6th Joint Commission through diplomatic channels. This move signifies the commitment of both Algeria and Tanzania to deepen their cooperation and explore new avenues of collaboration.
One of the major highlights of the 5th Committee meeting was the signing of eight framework agreements that span several crucial areas, including politics, diplomacy, defense, security, energy, the economy, social affairs, culture, education, sports, and youth. Both Algerian and Tanzanian officials emphasized the need to expedite the implementation of these agreements to foster stronger partnerships between the governments and peoples of the two countries.
Economic cooperation was a central focus during the meeting, and both ministers expressed a strong commitment to enhance bilateral trade while taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The establishment of the Algerian-Tanzanian Business Council was welcomed as a crucial step in promoting trade and investment between the two nations.
In the energy sector, Algeria and Tanzania resolved to intensify cooperation in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Additionally, Tanzanian officials will receive training in the field of hydrocarbons to bolster their expertise in this domain. Two memoranda of understanding were signed between Sonelgaz and the Tanzanian TANESCO, and between Sonatarch and the Tanzanian oil development company TPDC, solidifying the commitment to energy collaboration.
Education and cultural exchange also featured prominently during the discussions. Algeria pledged to continue offering scholarships to Tanzanian students, and the Tanzanian side appreciated the offer of multidisciplinary training for their officials from Algeria. The existing cooperation between the diplomatic institutes of both countries was also commended, indicating a commitment to nurturing diplomatic talent.
On the international front, both parties renewed their dedication to political consultations and efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, development, and integration across Africa, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In this context, the two ministers strongly condemned the recent unconstitutional change of government in Niger and endorsed the call for the reinstatement of the legitimately elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The ministers also reaffirmed their common position on the issue of Western Sahara, supporting the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. They urged the parties to the conflict to engage in negotiations, facilitated by the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, to find a lasting solution.
On the subject of terrorism, both Algeria and Tanzania expressed their unwavering condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, vowing to collaborate closely to eradicate this menace. Tanzania, as the home of the regional counter-terrorism center of the Southern African Development Community, plays a crucial role in this endeavor.
In closing, Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax praised Algeria’s consistent efforts to maintain peace and stability in Africa, including its significant contribution to the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali. The two countries also reiterated their support for the organization of transparent and free elections in Libya under the auspices of the United Nations, while discouraging any form of foreign interference in the country’s affairs. Both sides also expressed their solidarity with the State of Palestine’s bid for full membership in the UN and related organizations.
The conclusion of the 5th session of the Algerian-Tanzanian Joint Commission for Cooperation marks another milestone in the burgeoning relationship between the two nations. As they look forward to the 6th Joint Commission in 2025 in Dar Es Salaam, the commitment to fostering cooperation and regional stability remains unwavering.
