Foreign relations of Tanzania

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Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere also was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and, during the Cold War era, Tanzania played an important role in regional and international organizations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the front-line states, the G-77, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) (now the African Union). One of Africa's best-known elder statesmen, Nyerere was personally active in many of these organizations, and served chairman of the OAU (1984–85) and chairman of six front-line states concerned with eliminating apartheid in Southern Africa. Nyerere was also involved with peace negotiations in Burundi until his death. Nyerere's death, on October 14, 1999, is still commemorated annually.

Tanzania enjoys good relations with its neighbours in the region and in recent years has been an active participant in efforts to promote the peaceful resolution of disputes. Tanzania is helping to broker peace talks to end conflict in Burundi and supports the Lusaka agreement concerning the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In March 1996, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya revived discussion of economic and regional cooperation. These talks culminated with the signing of an East African Cooperation Treaty in September 1999, which should in time lead to economic integration through the development of the East African Community. Tanzania is the only country in East Africa which also is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Historically, Tanzania has played an active role in hosting refugees from neighboring countries including Mozambique, DR Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. This normally has been done in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

[edit] Bilateral Relations

[edit] Burundi

[edit] People's Republic of China

The state has had good relations with the People’s Republic of China over the past 30 years, recently receiving the Chinese president (February 2009). This relationship is linked with bi-lateral co-operation including a railway project on the Tanzanian mainland.

[edit] Democratic Republic of the Congo

[edit] Denmark

Further information: Denmark–Tanzania relations

[edit] Finland

Further information: Foreign relations of Finland

[edit] Malawi

Tanzania is embroiled in a dispute with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).

[edit] Mozambique

[edit] Russia

Main article: Russia–Tanzania relations

Both countries have signed diplomatic missions on December 11, 1961 Russia has an embassy in Dar es Salaam, and Tanzania has an embassy in Moscow.^[1]

[edit] Rwanda

[edit] Uganda

[edit] United Kingdom

Britain and Tanzania are currently on good terms as Britain helped the poorer Tanzanian government during many disasters.

[edit] United States

Main article: Tanzania – United States relations

The U.S. Government provides assistance to Tanzania to support programs in the areas of health, environment, democracy, and development of the private sector. The U.S. Agency for International Development's program in Tanzania averages about $20 million per year. The Peace Corps program, revitalized in 1979, provides assistance in education through the provision of teachers. Peace Corps also is assisting in health and environment sectors. Currently, about 147 volunteers are serving in Tanzania. First Lady Laura Bush visited Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in mid-July 2005.