Wasira: Russia’s visit is part of non-aligned policy

SAME: CCM Vice-Chairperson for Mainland Tanzania , Stephen Wasira, has said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s recent visit to Russia reaffirms Tanzania’s long-standing commitment to a non-aligned foreign policy rooted in national interests and peaceful international relations. He said Tanzania’s founding leaders, led by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, envisioned the country as a neutral actor capable of promoting peace, dialogue and mutual understanding in a world often divided by competing global interests. Mr Wasira made the remarks while concluding his tour of Same District in Kilimanjaro Region, where he met CCM members and residents to assess the party’s strength and the implementation of the CCM Election Manifesto. “We wanted to attain freedom and ensure that it endures. Preserving that freedom means retaining the right to make decisions based on our own national interests rather than relying on others to tell us what to do,” Mr Wasira said. He noted that Tanzania enjoys cordial relations with countries across the world. “We have good relations with Europe, good relations with the United States and good relations with many other countries because Tanzania has no enemies,” he noted further. Commenting on President Samia’s recent visit to Russia, Mr Wasira said some critics had questioned the purpose of the trip while remaining silent about her visits to other major world powers. “When our President visited China, nobody asked why she went there. When she visited the United States, nobody asked. But when she travels to Russia, some people immediately begin asking questions,” he said. According to Wasira, such reactions reflect the misconception that only Western countries wield influence in global affairs. “The world belongs to everyone. Since the time of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania has upheld the principle of not taking sides in global rivalries. When major powers disagree, our position is to remain neutral and engage with all parties,” he explained. Mr Wasira stated that Tanzania’s foreign policy is guided by national interests and principles rather than allegiance to any geopolitical bloc. “We are not aligned with any side. We assess issues on their merits and take positions based on principles and national interests,” Mr Wasira said. ALSO READ: CCM calls on Tanzanians to uphold peace, unity and national cohesion The CCM leader further stated that the party was founded on the principle of fighting injustice both within and outside the country. “We cannot support oppression, nor can we tolerate injustice at home. The freedom we fought for gives us the right to determine our own affairs and ensure our people live without oppression,” he added. Meanwhile, CCM Parents’ Wing Secretary-General Ally Hapi dismissed claims by CHADEMA that it would deliver greater development if elected to power, arguing that the opposition party’s record in councils it previously controlled did not support such assertions. Mr Hapi said that when CHADEMA governed several city and municipal councils, it failed to achieve the expected development outcomes and was instead characterised by leadership disputes and audit queries highlighted in reports by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG). The post Wasira: Russia’s visit is part of non-aligned policy first appeared on Daily News . The post Wasira: Russia’s visit is part of non-aligned policy appeared first on Daily News .