High expectations as Poland Prez Andrzej Duda lands in Tanzania today

President Samia Suluhu Hassan will host her Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, who is expected to arrive in the country today for a two-day work visit.

The visit seeks to cement historic diplomatic ties between the two countries that have existed for many years, especially in the areas of infrastructure, wildlife conservation, education, water, environmental conservation, tourism, trade, investment and parliamentary issues.

“The visit is expected to explore opportunities for further cooperation in the areas of defence and security, energy and gas, minerals, transport, culture and the blue economy,” Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister January Makamba told a news conference last month.

However, a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign and East African Cooperation on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, says President Duda will be accompanied by his wife, Agata Karnhauser-Duda.

“On February 9, 2024, the honourable Duda will be officially received by his host, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the Dar es Salaam State House, where the duo are expected to hold a tête-à-tête. A delegate of senior government officials from both sides will also engage in special talks before a joint press conference is convened to shed light on what has been agreed,” reads part of the government’s statement.

The Polish leader is also expected to visit a treatment project at the Aga Khan Hospital in the city that has received $1.137 million (Sh2.842 billion) in funding from Poland.

“For 62 years, Tanzania and Poland have been working closely together in several development projects, ranging from agriculture and finance to education, tourism, health and water,”a statement released  by Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

This will be Mr Duda’s second visit to Africa after the one he made in 2022, where he visited Senegal, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

According to information from Polish media, besides improving bilateral cooperation, Mr Duda’s visit also intends to “combat Russian disinformation in Africa and assess the potential for independent policy-making on the continent.”

Tanzania and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1961, and by 1962, a Polish embassy was functioning in Dar es Salaam. The embassy was temporarily closed in 2008 but resumed operations in 2017.

Tanzania doesn’t have an embassy in Poland, and it engages with the East European nation from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.

Polish companies’ growing interest in investing in Tanzania in sectors such as water economy, lighting, cybersecurity, and tourism, plus President Samia’s willingness to embrace democratic values, have been reported to interest Mr Duda to visit the country, Polish media reported.

Poland  exports goods to Tanzania, such as machines and equipment, food, copper products, paper, clothes, tyres, and household appliances. It imports coffee, tea, cocoa, tobacco, cotton products and oilseeds from Tanzania.

During his conversation with his Tanzanian counterpart, Mr Duda is expected to raise several topics of discussion, which include climate policy.

The Polish leader’s visit to Tanzania comes almost two years since the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stergomena Tax, visited Poland in 2022. President Duda, also visited Kenya and Rwanda as part of his tour to Africa.

Additional  Source:Chanzo