Former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete….Photo/File
NAIROBI
Former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete has been appointed by the African Union Commission as the AU Horn of Africa Representative, a role tasked with promoting peace and security across the volatile region.
Kenya’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, extended his congratulations, saying, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my good friend, former President H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, following his appointment by the African Union. His leadership and experience are invaluable for peace in the Horn of Africa.”
Kikwete, who served as Tanzania’s president from 2005 to 2015, is widely remembered for his critical role in mediating Kenya’s post-election crisis in 2008.
Following the disputed 2007 presidential election, the country was engulfed in widespread violence that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
During that tense period, Wetang’ula was Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister and part of the government team navigating international and domestic diplomatic efforts.
Kikwete, as a respected regional leader, helped bring together President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, facilitating negotiations that eventually led to a power-sharing agreement and the formation of a coalition government.
Analysts say Kikwete’s appointment to the AU envoy role not only leverages his experience in regional diplomacy but also serves as a reminder of his historic contributions to stabilizing Kenya in one of its most challenging periods.
Wetang’ula emphasized that the appointment “reflects a leader committed to dialogue, reconciliation, and African unity.”
Kikwete’s new mandate will see him engage with governments across the Horn of Africa to resolve conflicts, support governance reforms, and strengthen security cooperation, continuing a legacy of peacemaking in the region.
