United States Virtual Presence Post - Zanzibar, Tanzania

Press Release

Ambassador Lenhardt’s First Trip to Zanzibar

December 8, 2009

 

Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt visited Zanzibar December 2- 4, less than three weeks after presenting his credentials as the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. During his first trip to the isles, Ambassador Lenhardt paid courtesy calls on President Karume and the Grand Mufti Harith bin Khelef. He met with Zanzibar’s government officials, politicians, business and community leaders, and visited development projects funded by the American people.

During a visit to the Mpendaye registration center at Jang’ombe Secondary School in Unguja, Ambassador Lenhardt observed Zanzibaris registering for the next general elections. Speaking at a reception later the same day, the U.S. Ambassador called on Zanzibar’s political leaders to ensure that politics on the isles be conducted peacefully, constructively, and fairly: “No Zanzibari should feel permanently excluded from having a voice in the government, and no Zanzibari need fear political reprisal.” He also urged the supporters of the two main parties to follow their leaders’ example and work for peace and understanding: “Party supporters must learn how to compete respectfully and fairly, for the greater good of their society.”

In Unguja, Ambassador Lenhardt met with the program manager of the Zanzibar Malaria Control Program that has received support under the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative to combat malaria in Zanzibar. He visited RISE (“Radio Instruction to Strengthen Education”), a radio instruction project designed to expand access to quality early childhood education. The project, a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development, Zanzibar’s Ministry of Education, and international education experts, has reached more than 12,000 Zanzibari pre-school and primary-school children in 120 government schools and 126 community centers. RISE plans to broaden its reach to more than 20,000 children in January 2010. During the last five years, the American people spent nearly $15 million to support education programs for Zanzibar.

In Pemba, Ambassador Lenhardt visited the “American Corner” at Chake Chake Public Library, one of two American mini-libraries in Zanzibar. He also visited the site in Bopwe Village where the United States is building and furnishing a primary school. A water catchment project in Micheweni, another U.S.-funded development project, was also on his itinerary. The Micheweni water catchment facility is located near the walls of a historic 17-th century mosque. The mosque, restored under the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, is one of five cultural preservation projects in Zanzibar funded by the American people. Ambassador Lenhardt traveled through rural roads that are to be upgraded by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation. Zanzibar will receive more than $60 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation for Pemba roads and a new 100 megawatt submarine power cable linking Unguja to the mainland.

Before concluding his first visit to Zanzibar, Ambassador Lenhardt said, “We are partners with the Zanzibari people and their government, as we are with the Tanzanian people and the Union government, to promote aspirations for a more prosperous, peaceful and healthy society.”