By Prosper Makene
Geneva, Switzerland – The United Republic of Tanzania has called for the international community to give Kiswahili its rightful place as a global language of unity, inclusion, and cultural identity.
Speaking recently during the commemoration of the International Day for People of African Descent in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Hoyce Temu, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, emphasized that language is central to preserving African heritage, dignity, and justice.
The event was organized by the Université Populaire Africaine en Suisse, UPAF, and other partners and was held within the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, 2025–2034. Ambassador Dr. Temu thanked UPAF for its continued work in promoting African heritage through projects such as the Kiswahili Project.
Ambassador Dr. Temu told the gathering that for Tanzania, Kiswahili is more than a means of communication. “It is a language of African unity, identity, peace and regional integration. It connects millions of people across borders and increasingly serves as a language of diplomacy, education, culture and international cooperation,” she said.
She noted that while Tanzania celebrates Kiswahili, it also recognizes the rich linguistic diversity of Africa, including Hausa, Yoruba, Oromo and many others, which carry the history, knowledge and cultural expression of African communities. The promotion of Kiswahili, she stressed, does not diminish other African languages but forms part of a broader effort to ensure Africa’s linguistic heritage is respected globally.
Highlighting progress made under the leadership of Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ambassador Dr. Temu pointed to several milestones in the internationalization of Kiswahili.
She pointed out that in 2021, UNESCO proclaimed 7 July as World Kiswahili Language Day. In 2022, Kiswahili gained further recognition within the African Union. In 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/312 proclaiming 7 July as World Kiswahili Language Day. And in 2025, the UNESCO General Conference recognized Kiswahili as its seventh official language.
“Tanzania subsequently called upon the UN General Assembly to explore the possibility of recognizing Kiswahili as the seventh official language of the United Nations,” she added.
Ambassador Dr. Temu posed a direct question to the international community: “How much longer must Kiswahili wait, and what more is required, before a language spoken by more than 200 million people and already recognized across major African and international institutions can take its place as an official language of the United Nations?” She said the issue goes beyond language.
“It is a question about inclusion, representation, cultural dignity and the place of Africa within multilateral institutions.”
Tanzania therefore urged the African Union, UN member states, civil society, academia and international partners to continue building support to elevate Kiswahili from “a language of African unity to a language of global diplomacy.”
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation that under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania will continue to advance Kiswahili as part of its cultural diplomacy and commitment to African identity on the world stage.
