Dar es Salaam. Johan Borgstam, the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region, is currently visiting Tanzania from January 16 to January 18, 2024, following previous visits to Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Angola, Kenya and Uganda.
A statement released Thursday by the European Union Delegation to Tanzania explained that Mr Borgstam will hold high-level discussions with the Minister of Defence, Stergomena Lawrence Tax, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cosato David Chumi.
He’ll also meet and engage with other prominent members of Tanzania’s diplomatic community, academia, and civil society representatives.
The visit aims to exchange Tanzania’s role in the Great Lakes region and reaffirm the EU’s commitment to peace, stability, and security through the EU Great Lakes Strategy. Mr Borgstam will explore East and Southern African regional integration, considering its economic, political, peace and security dimensions.
“I am grateful to be in Tanzania and engage directly with key stakeholders on matters of regional importance,” the statement quoted Borgstam as saying.
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“Tanzania plays a vital role in addressing the security and humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in parts of the Great Lakes region, and I appreciate the positive and constructive nature of our discussions,” he added. “I look forward to continued collaboration between the European Union and Tanzania to promote regional peace, stability, and security.”
EU Ambassador to Tanzania Christine Grau, highlighted the enduring partnership between the European Union and Tanzania.
“The European Union remains committed to supporting dialogue in the region and long-term regional and peaceful solutions for the Great Lakes region,” she said. “The visit of the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes marks another step in our shared commitment to addressing the current challenges facing the region.”
This was EUSR Borgstam’s first visit to Tanzania since the start of his mandate, which focuses on supporting regional mediation efforts, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes, and fostering a stronger partnership with all Great Lakes countries to enhance prosperity and security.
Appointed as European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in September 2024, Borgstam’s mission is to support the implementation of the renewed EU Great Lakes Strategy, whose objectives include contributing to peace, stability and security in the Great Lakes region.
