African Diplomatic Corps bids farewell to Malawi, Tanzania Ambassadors in Kuwait
‘Kuwait became a second home’: Malawi, Tanzania envoys leave Kuwait, reflect on years of lasting friendships and memories
The African diplomatic community in Kuwait bid farewell to the ambassadors of Malawi and Tanzania, praising their professionalism, friendship and contribution to strengthening relations between their respective countries and Kuwait during their tenure.
The farewell reception was hosted by Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Comoros Ambassador H.E. Dr Al-Arif Sayed Hassan to mark the completion of the assignments of Malawi Ambassador H.E. Younos Abdul Karim and United Republic of Tanzania Ambassador H.E. Saidi Hussein Masoro.
The event was attended by Minister Plenipotentiary Khaled Al-Wazzan, representing the Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Counselor Ahmad Shanar Al-Bakhit, representing the Assistant Foreign Minister for Protocol Affairs, as well as heads of diplomatic missions, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his remarks, Dr Al-Arif praised the two departing ambassadors for their professionalism, commitment and efforts to deepen relations between their countries and Kuwait. He also highlighted their active participation in the activities of the African diplomatic corps and their contribution to strengthening cooperation and communication among African missions in Kuwait.
He said both ambassadors had represented their countries with distinction while building strong bonds of cooperation and friendship with their colleagues. Their participation extended across political, cultural, media, social and sporting activities organized by the African diplomatic community, particularly the annual Africa Day celebrations.
Dr Al-Arif noted that Abdul Karim chaired the organizing committee for the 2025 Africa Day celebrations, while Masoro served on the committee for the 2026 celebrations. Their involvement, he said, reflected their commitment to advancing joint African initiatives and strengthening ties among African diplomatic missions in Kuwait.
“As you begin a new chapter in your careers, your contributions in Kuwait will remain in our memories and in the history of relations between our countries,” he said, adding that the two ambassadors would always be welcome among their African colleagues. He stressed that the farewell marked the end of their official assignments, but not the personal relationships they had built in Kuwait.
“Today, as we officially bid you farewell, we are not saying goodbye to you as friends. You have been and will remain brothers whom we hold in high regard,” he said, wishing both ambassadors and their families success, happiness and a bright future. Dr Al-Arif also expressed deep appreciation to Kuwait, its leadership, government and people, describing the country as a hospitable nation and a center of humanitarian work.
He thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its continued cooperation with diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Kuwait, as well as for the facilities and support provided to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
Masoro: Kuwait became a second home
Speaking at the reception, Tanzanian Ambassador Masoro thanked the African diplomatic corps for the gathering and for the friendship and support he received during his time in Kuwait. “Being away from home is not easy, but having good friends around you makes a great difference,” Masoro said, noting that his colleagues helped ease his homesickness and, in many ways, made Kuwait feel like a second home.
He praised the spirit of cooperation and unity among African ambassadors, saying they had worked “as one team,” supported one another and built relationships based on friendship and solidarity. Masoro called for this spirit of cooperation to continue, particularly as he looked ahead to the forthcoming Africa-Kuwait Conference.
He said the conference should be used to showcase Africa’s diversity, resources and potential while opening new avenues for cooperation between African countries and Kuwait. He also stressed the importance of encouraging Kuwaitis to visit African countries and expanding opportunities in trade, investment and tourism. The conference, he said, could help deepen Africa-Kuwait relations and broaden cooperation across different sectors.
Masoro said he would leave Kuwait with many fond memories and lasting friendships, adding that he would particularly miss his African diplomatic colleagues, including members of the African Diplomatic Corps football team and the matches and gatherings they shared.
Abdul Karim: ‘I may leave Kuwait, but not my friendships’
Malawi Ambassador H.E. Younos Abdul Karim expressed his gratitude to the African diplomatic corps, friends and colleagues in Kuwait as he prepares to complete a four-year-and-five-month assignment. He described it as a great honor to have worked alongside his African colleagues, praising the friendship, solidarity, cooperation and sense of African unity that characterized their time together.
Abdul Karim also expressed appreciation to Kuwait, its leadership, government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the various Kuwaiti institutions and officials with whom he worked. He said their cooperation and support helped create a positive environment for diplomatic work.
He said working together in Kuwait had strengthened the ambassadors’ understanding that, despite differences between their individual countries, they shared a broader African identity and a common responsibility to strengthen ties between Africa and Kuwait.
“I may leave Kuwait, but I will certainly not leave the friendships I made here,” Abdul Karim said, expressing his gratitude for the professional relationships and personal bonds he had built during his years in the country. He wished Kuwait continued peace, stability and prosperity, and Africa greater unity, peace and development.
At the conclusion of the reception, Dr Al-Arif, on behalf of the African ambassadors and diplomatic missions, presented commemorative gifts to Abdul Karim and Masoro as a gesture of appreciation, friendship and respect, wishing them success in their future assignments and careers.
