President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania on the occasion of their 55^th Independence Anniversary.

December 9 is celebrated each year in Tanzania as its Independence Day, popularly known as Siku ya Unuru. Earlier, a German colony known as Tanganyika, in 1918, it became a British mandate territory. On December 9, 1961, Tanganyika got its freedom from British rule. Later in 1964, Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar to become Tanzania. This is an important day when Tanzanians commemorate their nonviolent transition to freedom from British rule.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, in her message to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Mr, John Pombe Magufuli, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended warmest felicitation and best wishes on the occasion of the 55^th Independence Anniversary of that great country.

The Liberian leader entertained the hope that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between their two countries and peoples will be further strengthened in the spirit of African solidarity as they work together in furtherance of deeper cooperation at the African Union, the United Nations and other international fora aimed at promoting international peace and security among all nations and peoples.

She prayed that President Magufuli is endowed with abundant wisdom and strength by Almighty God as he leads his people to nobler heights.