Zanzibar’s Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to strengthening and promoting the Kiswahili language through the East African Kiswahili Commission (KAKAMA).
Speaking in Zanzibar during celebrations to mark the Commission’s 10th anniversary, Mr Abdulla said the two governments have high expectations that KAKAMA will further enhance the use of Kiswahili at both regional and global levels.
Delivering congratulatory messages from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, he assured stakeholders that the government will continue supporting initiatives aimed at developing and promoting the language.
He said the anniversary provided an opportunity to review the Commission’s achievements since its establishment in 2016, particularly within the East African Community, and urged member states to strengthen their national Kiswahili councils to ensure effective implementation of agreed strategies.
Mr Abdulla also welcomed the decision by UNESCO to recognise Kiswahili as one of its official working languages from November 2025, describing it as a major milestone in elevating the language’s international standing.
Earlier, KAKAMA Executive Secretary Caroline Asiimwe said the Commission will continue working with member states to expand the use of Kiswahili in education, science, technology and digital platforms.
The event brought together national and regional leaders, ministers, ambassadors and language stakeholders, with calls for stronger collaboration and effective execution of policies aimed at advancing Kiswahili across the region and beyond.