US President Barack Obama has assured President Jakaya Kikwete that his country would continue to support Tanzania’s poverty alleviation drive and efforts to enable its people to lead a better life. Mr Obama directed the Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton, and other aides to follow the pledges closely to ensure their implementation. Apart from Mrs Clinton, other high-ranking US officials present at the talks were Obama’s economic adviser, who was once Treasury Secretary, Larry Summers, defence adviser General James Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador A. Carson. Mr Carson had in his youth days served in Tanzania as a volunteer teacher at Malangali in Iringa Region. Mr Obama told Mr Kikwete that his decision to invite him to the US, being the first African head of state since his inauguration in January, was done in recognition of Tanzania’s leader impeccable credentials and his successful policies. ‘’I want you to succeed in your leadership. Tell me how you would like us to assist you to continue with your successful path. You are the first African head of state to meet me since I became president. This is a clear sign of my own confidence and that of my government in your leadership.I am really pleased with your leadership,’’ President Obama told Mr Kikwete. The US leader praised Tanzania for laying emphasis on education, which he described as a pinnacle of good leadership. He promised to step up American assistance in the Millennium Challenge Corporation projects in Tanzania to ensure more prosperity. President Kikwete requested the Obama administration to help Tanzania reduce maternal deaths and help Africa to cope with the effects of the global economic downturn. Mr Kikwete also briefed his US counterpart on the efforts to bring about political reconciliation in Zanzibar.The two leaders discussed about the situation in Darfur, DRC and Somalia. They also talked about the political situation in Kenya.
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