By PREMMY KIBANGA in Berlin....
GERMAN President Horst Kohler said here yesterday that gone are the days when the West could dictate economic and social development programmes to Africa.
Mr Kohler made the remark during conversation with President Jakaya Kikwete who is here on a working visit. The German leader, who is former International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director, said that African countries are capable of devising and implementing their own economic and social policies that could promote people's development.
"I have been impressed to see a young president like you and I am optimistic that your country is in good hands," Mr Kohler said.
He requested Mr Kikwete to give an overview on the general economic, political and social development trend in Tanzania and Africa and an insight into economic and political development in the Great Lakes region countries, including Burundi, Rwanda and DRC.
President Kikwete, who attended the Leon Sullivan Foundation summit in Abuja, Nigeria that brought together African heads of state and blacks living in the Diaspora, arrived here yesterday.
"I have come here to introduce myself and assure you that we will not relent or waver in our economic, political and social policies," said Mr Kikwete.
He also met the German Minister for Economy and Development, Mrs Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who assured him of her country's resolve to maintain cordial relations with Tanzania and other African countries.
Mrs Wieczorek-Zeul also reaffirmed that her country would provide more opportunities and priorities to African countries once Germany assumes chairmanship of the highly industrialised countries (G8 countries) next year. "Germany will ensure it fulfils its responsibility to promote education and health sectors in Africa," said Mrs Wieczorek-Zeul.
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