Salim Ahmed Salim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salim hamad Salim
|
|
---|---|
سلیم احمد سلیم
|
|
Salim in 2010
|
|
7th secretary general of the Organisation of African Unity |
|
In office 19 September 1989 – 17 September 2001 |
|
Preceded by | Ide Oumarou |
Succeeded by | Amara Essy |
Minister of Defense and National Service | |
In office 1985–1989 |
|
President | Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
Prime Minister of Tanzania | |
In office 24 April 1984 – 5 November 1985 |
|
President | Julius Nyerere |
Preceded by | Edward Sokoine |
Succeeded by | Joseph Warioba |
8th Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
In office 1981–1984 |
|
Preceded by | Benjamin Mkapa |
Succeeded by | Benjamin Mkapa |
Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations | |
In office 1970–1980 |
|
President | Julius Nyerere |
Personal details | |
Born |
salimu hamadi salimu
23 January 1942 |
Nationality | ![]() |
Children | 12
3
Maryam Ali Ahmed |
Alma mater | University of Delhi SIPA, Columbia (MIA) |
Committees | Chair, Mo Ibrahim Prize selection committee |
Positions | Chancellor, HKMU Chair, MNF |
Salim Ahmed Salim (born January 23, 1942) is a well-known Tanzanian politician and diplomat. He has worked in international relations since the 1960s. He also served as the Prime Minister of Tanzania from 1984 to 1985.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Salim was born in what was then called the Sultanate of Zanzibar. His father, Sheikh Ahmed Salim Riyami, was of Omani descent. His mother was Tanzanian, with both Arab and African heritage.
Education and Early Activism
Salim studied at Lumumba College in Zanzibar. He then went to St. Stephen's College at the University of Delhi for his first degree. Later, he earned his master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York.
He was a student activist in the 1950s. He helped start and became the first Vice President of the All-Zanzibar Student Union.
Roles in Tanzania
Salim Ahmed Salim held many important jobs in Tanzania:
- Chief editor of a Zanzibar newspaper (1963–1964)
- Secretary General of the All-Zanzibar Journalists Organisation (1963–1964)
- Minister for Foreign Affairs (1980–1984)
- Prime Minister of Tanzania (1984–1985)
- Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania (1986–1989)
- Minister for Defence and National Service (1986–1989)
- President of the Julius K. Nyerere Foundation (2001 – present)
- Member of the Central Committee of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Tanzania's main political party.
- Member of the Tanzania Commission for Constitution Review (2012–2014)
Diplomatic Work Around the World
Salim also held many important diplomatic roles for Tanzania:
- Deputy chief representative of the Zanzibar Office in Havana, Cuba (1961–1962)
- Tanzanian Ambassador to Egypt (1964–1965)
- Tanzanian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to India (1965–1968)
- Tanzanian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (1969–1970)
- Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations (1970–1980)
- Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba (1970–1980), while also at the UN.
- Tanzanian High Commissioner to Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago (1970–1980), while also at the UN.
- Secretary-General of the OAU (1989–2001)
- African Union special envoy for the Darfur Conflict (2004–2008)
His Work at the United Nations
Salim Ahmed Salim played a big part in the United Nations (UN):
- June/July 1972: Chairman of the UN Special Mission to Niue.
- August 1972: Part of the Drafting Committee for the Ministerial Conference of non-Aligned States.
- 1972 to 1980: Chairman of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization. This committee helped countries gain independence.
- April 1973: Chairman of a committee at a conference supporting victims of colonialism and apartheid.
- 1975: Chairman of the Security Council's Committee on Sanctions against Southern Rhodesia.
- 1976: President of the United Nations Security Council.
- 1979: President of the United Nations General Assembly for several sessions.
- 1981: President of the International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa.
- 1984: President of the Paris International Conference Against Apartheid.
Trying to Become UN Secretary-General
In 1981, Salim Ahmed Salim wanted to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations. He ran against Kurt Waldheim, who was already serving. Salim had strong support from African and non-aligned countries. China also supported him.
However, the United States did not want Salim to be Secretary-General. They saw him as too critical of their policies. The Soviet Union also opposed him.
The election was very close and went on for 16 rounds of voting over six weeks. Neither side would give in. In the end, both Salim and Waldheim decided to step down. This allowed other candidates to be chosen.
In 1996, Salim was considered for the role again. The US wanted him, but France said they would not support him. So, he was not nominated.
Other Important Diplomatic Roles
Salim has also worked on many other international projects:
- He became the African Water Ambassador in 2002. In this role, he helps raise awareness and support for water issues in Africa.
- He is Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) in South Africa.
- He chairs the International Board of Trustees for Africa Humanitarian Action (AHI).
- He is a member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Trustees for the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance at Africa University.
- He is a member of the Panel of the Wise, a group that advises the African Union.
On a global level, Salim serves on several important boards and commissions:
- Co-chair of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
- Member of the Board at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. This group supports good leadership in Africa. Salim also chairs the committee for the Ibrahim Prize.
- Member of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group helps support democratic leadership and solve conflicts.
- Member of the Board of the South Centre.
- Member of the Policy Advisory Commission for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- Member of the Foundation Council for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
- Eminent Member of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.
Awards and Recognition
Salim Ahmed Salim has received many honors and awards for his work.
Honors
Order | Country | Year | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Order of the Star of Africa | ![]() |
1980 |
![]() |
Order of the United Republic of Tanzania | ![]() |
1985 |
![]() |
National Order of a Thousand Hills | ![]() |
1993 |
![]() |
Grand Cross of the Order of Devotion | ![]() |
1994 |
![]() |
Order of Merit (Grand Officer) | ![]() |
1994 |
Medal of Africa | ![]() |
1999 | |
![]() |
National Order of the Lion (Grand Officer) | ![]() |
2000 |
![]() |
Order of the Two Niles | ![]() |
2001 |
![]() |
Ordre El-Athir | ![]() |
2001 |
![]() |
Order of Mono | ![]() |
2001 |
![]() |
National Order of Mali (Commander) | ![]() |
2001 |
![]() |
Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo (Gold) | ![]() |
2004 |
![]() |
Order of the Uhuru Torch (Second Class) | ![]() |
2011 |
Order of Friendship | ![]() |
2019 | |
Order of Amilcar Cabral (First Class) | ![]() |
2023 |
Awards
- 2014: Son of Africa Award by the African Union.
- 2006: Martin Luther King "Drum Major for Justice" award.
Honorary Degrees
Salim has also received special degrees from many universities around the world:
University | Country | Degree | Year |
---|---|---|---|
University of the Philippines Los Baños | ![]() |
Doctor of Laws | 1980 |
University of Maiduguri | ![]() |
Doctor of Humanities | 1983 |
University of Mauritius | ![]() |
Doctor of Civil Law | 1991 |
University of Khartoum | ![]() |
Doctor of Arts in International Affairs | 1995 |
University of Bologna | ![]() |
Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations | 1996 |
University of Cape Town | ![]() |
Doctor of Laws | 1998 |
Addis Ababa University | ![]() |
Doctor of Laws | 2003 |