I had faith in Membe, ex-president Kikwete says in heartfelt tribute

Dar es Salaam. Former President Jakaya Kikwete has described the late Bernard Membe as a person who was highly supportive of him in both his professional and political life, stating that news of his passing startled and grieved him.

Membe, died on Friday, March 12, 2023, at the Kairuki Hospital as he was undergoing treatment, was a Member of Parliament for Mtama Constituency from 2000 to 2015. He also served as minister for Foreign Affairs for nine years, from January 2007 to November 2015, under Mr Kikwete’s presidency.

In his condolences, former President Kikwete said he had complete trust in Membe as his right-hand man in international diplomacy. “I believed and trusted him in all positions he served in my cabinet. He served as deputy minister for Home Affairs as well as Energy and Minerals.”

Mr Kikwete added; “He was the minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation for nine years. He did a good job of promoting Tanzania’s interests in the international arena,” he said.

Mourners will pay last respects to Membe today at the Karimjee grounds, and the remains of the former presidential candidate, through the ACT-Wazalendo Party, will be repatriated to his home village of Rondo in Lindi Region for burial on Tuesday.

In his tribute, Mr Kikwete stated that he had observed Membe’s aptitude while serving as the Secretary of Political Affairs and International Relations, a member of the Central Committee, and a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling party (CCM).

In those positions, Membe gave his all and left lasting marks, Mr Kikwete mused, noting that the nation has lost one of the most important people.

“I knew him for many years. We came a long way and helped each other in many areas. I knew him as a good diplomat, serious activist, scholar, God-fearing patriot, and hard worker,” he said.

“He was a brave man who was not afraid to speak the truth and stand for what he believed in,” he explained.

Mr Kikwete expressed his sympathy to the deceased’s wife, Dorcas Membe, and their children, Cecilia, Richard, and Dennis.

“I assure you that you are not alone. My wife Salma, family members, and I will always be with you,” said Mr Kikwete.

Former Tanzania’s ambassador to the US and Chief Secretary (CS) Ombeni Sefue said that the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation docket under Mr Membe was very well managed and was highly rewarded by the large number of high-profile statesmen and heads of state and government who visited Tanzania during that time.

In the tribute he paid to his former boss, Ambassador Sefue said the excellent performance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not only influenced by Membe’s professionalism but also by the statesmanship of the then President, Jakaya Kikwete.

“Both Kikwete and Membe had similar etiquette in diplomatic matters,” he said.

He noted that Tanzania made a lot of progress diplomatically and was visited by global leaders, among whom were US Presidents George W. Bush (2008) and Barack Obama (2013).

Others were President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil (2010), Chinese Presidents Hu Jintao (2009) and Xi Jinping (2013), and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (2011).

For his part, the opposition Chadema’s national chairman, Freeman Mbowe, said that despite the fact that they belonged to different political parties, he still appreciated Membe as a keen leader and that he will always be remembered for his service to the country.

“In the history of multiparty democracy in our country, Membe remained one of the senior leaders at the ministerial level who did not have the habit of denigrating other parties (the opposition),” said Mbowe.

“He was my friend because our ideological differences did not remove the fact that we shared many things in common... So I have received news of his passing with shock and great sadness. We have lost a skilled and experienced politician,” he said.

According to the politician’s personal doctor, Prof Harun Nyagori, Membe’s death was caused by a lung infection.

The specialist said the disease causes blood clots and prevents the lungs from delivering oxygen.