Membe: Nation bids farewell to a steadfast diplomat, politician

Arusha/Dar. Bernard Membe's leadership qualities came to fore yesterday when hundreds of mourners paid their last respects to the former Cabinet minister in Dar es Salaam.

 Membe, who died on Friday in Dar es Salaam, was eulogised as a patriot who went out of his way to safeguard national interests in diplomacy and security.

Also Read: Membe's complex political legacy

Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister Stergomena Tax said Membe was not ready to see Tanzanian candidates shortlisted for international jobs not getting the posts.

She cited the post of South African Development Community (Sadc) executive secretary, which was fiercely contested by candidates from various member states.

Dr Tax was picked by the government for the position, but faced stiff competition from scores of other candidates fronted by their respective states.

“At the national level, the process was coordinated by the Foreign Affairs ministry. It was a big fight for the executive position,” she told mourners.

Dr Tax, who was then permanent secretary in the East African Community (EAC) ministry, finally landed the post after a tough struggle.

“Were it was not for the late Membe, it would have been a futile effort. He would not let go of any chance to boost the country's diplomatic standing,” she said.

Dr Tax added that Membe had a big impact on her career in diplomacy after being one of her cheerleaders when she vied for the plum Sadc post.

She was the first woman to hold the position of executive secretary of the 16-member economic bloc, which has its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.

“At that time there were many competent candidates for the post, but he reiterated his confidence in me, telling me he fully supported me and the country was also behind me.”

Dr Tax also recalled how Membe spearheaded efforts to review the country’s Foreign Policy to reflect the changing times.

Opposition politician Zitto Kabwe narrated a case where Membe, then serving as Home Affairs deputy minister, intervened and rescued a family that had been expelled from Kigoma Region over its nationality in 2006.

“The family was sent to DR Congo on suspicion that they were not Tanzanian citizens,” said the ACT-Wazalendo party leader, who was then the Kigoma North MP.

"He will be remembered as a champion of democracy and human rights, who was principled on what he believed was right,” Mr Kabwe said.

During the solemn occasion at Karimjee grounds, Mr Kabwe also criticised “inept” public officials.

He described the late minister, who will be buried tomorrow in Lindi Region, as someone who stood by what he believed, “even if it rubbed the powers that be the wrong way”.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan led senior government officials and hundreds of other mourners in paying pay their last respects to the late minister.

In honouring the legacy of a prominent diplomat, the Head of State said Membe had left a lasting mark on the country's Foreign Policy.

She added that the former minister had a distinguished career in diplomatic service, having served for eight consecutive years as Foreign Affairs minister.

President Hassan said Membe, who died at the age of 69, did a lot to promote regional integration and cooperation during his tenure as Tanzania’s top diplomat.

She described him as a hardworking diplomat, noting that his death was a loss not only to his family but the country at large.

The late minister has also been credited for strengthening Tanzania's relations with neighbouring countries, including the Comoros, which was once plunged into a political crisis, prompting Tanzania to send troops.

Membe was one of Tanzania’s longest serving Foreign Affairs ministers after Jakaya Kikwete (1995-2005) and the late Benjamin Mkapa (1977-1980 and 1984-1990).

His fortunes changed after he lost the bruising CCM presidential candidate nomination race ahead of the 2015 General Election. He stood as ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate in the 2020 elections.

One of his last public engagements was on April 27 when he delivered a lecture on peace and security at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA).

It was not clear whether he was planning to make a political comeback before his death after he was reinstated as a CCM member following his expulsion from the party during the reign of the late President John Magufuli.

One of his former assistants, Mr Assah Mwambene, currently working in Arusha, said Membe had intimated to him that he would be busy writing books and that he had completed three manuscripts.