Ambassador Liberata Mulamula: Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In an exclusive interview with Respondent
Online reporter, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula reflects on her influential
career in diplomacy spanning three decades. From pivotal roles in peace
negotiations across the Great Lakes Region to breaking barriers as a woman in
international affairs, Mulamula's journey underscores her dedication to global
peace and Tanzania's interests. This feature explores her insights on
navigating global politics, and managing personal and professional challenges,
and offers invaluable advice to aspiring female leaders in diplomacy.
Q: From President’s
Senior Assistant to Ambassador: How did your diplomatic journey shape your
approach to international relations?
My journey from being a President’s
Senior Assistant to becoming an ambassador has profoundly shaped my approach to
international relations. It taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and
strategic thinking. Navigating the complexities of diplomacy, especially in
volatile regions, reinforced the value of building bridges and fostering
dialogue. Each role I held deepened my understanding of the delicate balance
between national interests and global cooperation. This experience has made me
appreciate the nuances of diplomacy and the need for genuine, respectful
engagement with diverse cultures and perspectives.
Q: You’ve been
pivotal in peace talks across Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC. What were the most
challenging and rewarding moments in these negotiations?
The peace talks in Rwanda, Burundi,
and the DRC were some of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my
career. One of the most difficult moments was dealing with the deep-seated
mistrust among the warring parties. Imagine sitting at a table where each side
sees the other as the enemy, and you're trying to convince them to see common
ground. It required immense patience and a keen understanding of their
historical grievances and fears. On the rewarding side, there were moments when
we saw real breakthroughs, like when former President Olusegun Obasanjo and
President Benjamin Mkapa got involved in mediation. These were pivotal in
shifting the dynamics toward more constructive dialogue. I'll never forget the
sense of accomplishment when we managed to get all parties to sign a truce,
even though maintaining that peace was another challenge altogether. Working
with various stakeholders, including youth, women, media, and religious
leaders, also brought a broader perspective and grassroots support to the peace
process, making the negotiations more inclusive and sustainable. Another
rewarding aspect was seeing the tangible impact of our efforts. For instance,
traveling across the DRC and witnessing firsthand the relief and hope in
communities affected by conflict was incredibly fulfilling. These experiences
reinforced my belief in the power of diplomacy and the importance of
perseverance and empathy in resolving conflicts.
Q: The recent
Cabinet shuffle sparked much speculation. What’s your perspective on the photo
incident at the UN General Assembly and its aftermath?
The recent Cabinet shuffle and the
photo incident at the UN General Assembly indeed sparked a lot of speculation.
From my perspective, the photo with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill
Biden was purely a diplomatic gesture. I was there in my capacity as Foreign
Affairs Minister, supporting Vice President Philip Mpango's delegation. The
image was meant to symbolize our strong bilateral relations, nothing more.
Unfortunately, some people misconstrued it as an overstep on my part,
which was never the case. The timing of my removal shortly after the UN meeting
added fuel to the fire, leading to rumors and assumptions that the photo played
a role in the decision. However, it's important to remember that Cabinet
reshuffles are at the President's discretion, and numerous factors could have
influenced her decision. I believe in respecting the President's authority and
focusing on the positive contributions I’ve made during my tenure. The whole
incident highlights the complexities and sometimes unpredictable nature of
political life, but I remain committed to serving my country in whatever
capacity I can.
Q: Balancing a
stellar career with family life, how did you manage the personal and
professional demands of your roles?
Balancing a stellar career with
family life has certainly been a juggling act. It wasn't always easy,
especially with the demands of high-profile diplomatic roles. There were times
when my children’s school events had to be attended by my mother-in-law, which
raised a few eyebrows. They would often ask why their grandparents were there
instead of me, and that was tough. But I was incredibly fortunate to have a
supportive family. My husband, with his diverse life experiences from living
abroad, is a rock. He understands the pressures of my job and is always ready
to step in when needed. We make it work through a lot of communication and
understanding. It is about prioritising and sometimes making difficult choices,
but always maintaining a close-knit family. Family has always been my anchor,
and their unwavering support has been invaluable, especially during the most
challenging times in my career.
Ambassador Liberata Mulamula of the United Republic of Tanzania in the United States, pictured with President Barack Obama at the White House after presenting her credentials. Photo: State House
Q: With extensive experience in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, what key lessons have you learned about navigating global politics?
Navigating global politics through
both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy has underscored the importance of
patience, empathy, and strategic adaptability. In bilateral diplomacy, I've
learned that understanding and respecting the unique histories and concerns of
individual nations is crucial. It requires building trust through consistent
and open communication, which often means listening more than speaking. Whether
negotiating peace in the Great Lakes Region or managing Tanzania's embassies
abroad, these principles have been foundational. Strategic thinking is also
essential; the ability to foresee and adapt to changes in the political
landscape can mean the difference between success and failure in diplomatic
endeavors. In multilateral diplomacy, the power of collective action stands out.
Addressing
global challenges requires cooperation among countries, bringing diverse
perspectives and resources together. Engaging stakeholders like youth, women,
religious leaders, and media enriches dialogue for inclusive, sustainable
solutions. My ICGLR and international experiences show collaborative efforts
lead to effective outcomes, highlighting integrity and competence for
credibility in global leadership."
Q: You were the
first Executive Secretary of the ICGLR. How did you approach the complexities
of peace, stability, and development in the Great Lakes region?
As the first Executive Secretary of
the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), I approached
the complexities of peace, stability, and development with a multi-faceted
strategy that emphasized inclusivity, trust-building, and strategic
partnerships. Understanding the region's volatile history and the deep-seated
mistrust among different groups was my starting point. I prioritized listening
to all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and local
communities, to grasp the root causes of conflict and instability. This
involved extensive travel and face-to-face meetings, often in challenging
environments, to ensure that every voice was heard and considered in the
peace-building process.
Building trust was central to my
approach. I worked tirelessly to foster open communication channels between
conflicting parties, encouraging dialogue over confrontation. This included
leveraging the influence of respected leaders like former President Olusegun
Obasanjo and President Benjamin Mkapa to mediate discussions. By involving
neutral figures, we could facilitate more objective and constructive
negotiations. I also recognized the importance of addressing the proliferation
of small arms and the presence of armed groups, which were major sources of
insecurity. Collaborating with regional mechanisms like the Regional Centre on
Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) was crucial in tackling these issues
collectively.
To ensure sustainable development, I
focused on integrating a broad spectrum of stakeholders into the peace process.
This meant engaging not only political leaders but also youth, women, religious
leaders, and the media. Their involvement brought diverse perspectives and
solutions, making the peace initiatives more comprehensive and resilient.
Additionally, I pushed for regional initiatives to manage common-border
security effectively, acknowledging that the long and porous borders were a
significant challenge. By promoting a collective management approach, we aimed
to enhance security and stability across the region. Overall, my tenure at the
ICGLR was about building a collaborative framework that could address the
immediate needs of peace and stability while laying the groundwork for
long-term development.
Q: As a woman who’s
broken numerous barriers in diplomacy, what advice do you have for young women
aspiring to lead in international affairs?
For young women aspiring to lead in
international affairs, my advice is to stay true to your values and work hard.
Education is your strongest tool, so never stop learning and seek opportunities
for continuous growth. Build your confidence and trust in your abilities, and
don't let anyone undermine your self-worth. Embrace patience and empathy, as
understanding different perspectives is key in diplomacy. Network and seek
mentors who can guide you through challenges and celebrate your successes.
Lastly, balance your professional and personal life, ensuring you have a strong
support system. Remember, integrity and competence will always be your best
assets in navigating the complexities of global politics.