JAKAYA KIKWETE

Jakaya Kikwete was born in 1950 in Msoga, within the Chalinze District of Tanzania, and belongs to the Kwere ethnic group. His early education took him to Karatu Primary School and Tengeru School in the Arusha Region, followed by secondary schooling in the Pwani and Tanga regions. He later attended the University of Dar es Salaam, where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in political science and public relations.

Kikwete’s political journey began within the ranks of Tanzania’s ruling party. After the merger of TANU and the Afro-Shirazi Party to form Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in 1977, he was assigned significant roles in organizing and administering the party’s operations in Zanzibar. Over the next decade, he held various positions in regional party offices before being appointed to the central government in 1988.

In 1994, Kikwete became one of Tanzania’s youngest finance ministers at the age of 44. The following year, President Benjamin Mkapa appointed him as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held for a decade. During this time, Kikwete played a vital role in regional diplomacy, contributing to peace efforts in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also led initiatives within the East African Community, particularly in the establishment of a customs union.

In December 2005, after securing the CCM's nomination for presidential candidacy, Kikwete won the general election and was sworn in as Tanzania’s fourth president. His presidency was marked by efforts to foster regional cooperation and peace in Africa. After leaving office, Kikwete continued his involvement in international affairs, serving as the African Union’s High Representative in Libya and working on various global initiatives.

Beyond his political career, Kikwete is passionate about sports, particularly basketball, which he played competitively during his school years. He is married to Salma Kikwete, and they have five children.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakaya_Kikwete