Jokowi Welcomed Enthusiastically Using Indonesian Language and Angklung Music in Mozambique

Dream - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) continued his official visit to the African continent from Tanzania to Maputo, Mozambique, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

According to the Presidential Secretariat, Jokowi and his entourage arrived at Maputo International Airport around 17:00 local time or 22:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time).

Upon arrival at the airport, Jokowi received a warm welcome from teenagers in Mozambique wearing traditional Betawi dancer costumes and greeted him in Indonesian language.

Not only that, the president was also welcomed by the sound of angklung music and Indonesian citizens living in Mozambique. In addition, attention was drawn to teenagers who welcomed him wearing traditional Dayak costumes from Kalimantan.

Under the aircraft stairs, Jokowi was also greeted directly by Mozambique Minister of Mineral Resources Carlos Joaquim Zacarias and Maputo State Secretary Manuel Vicente. Afterwards, two children were seen presenting a flower bouquet to the President.

At the end of the honor line, the Indonesian Ambassador to Mozambique and Malawi Herry Sudrajat and his wife, as well as the Indonesian Defense Attaché in Pretoria Colonel Mar. Burhanudin, were present to welcome the president.

Several Mozambican officials were also seen welcoming Jokowi, including Mozambique Deputy Foreign Minister Manuel Jose Goncalves, Mozambican Ambassador to Indonesia Belmiro Jose Malate, and Maputo Governor Iolanda Cintura.

From the airport, Jokowi and his entourage went directly to the hotel where they stayed during their visit to Mozambique. At the hotel, the President was welcomed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cecep Herawan, the Coordinator of Political, Information, and Socio-Cultural Functions/Head of the Chancellery of the Indonesian Embassy in Maputo Budi Santoso.

Prior to that, Jokowi and his entourage took off from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania at around 15:00 local time or 19:00 WIB.

In the flight, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Jokowi's First Visit to Africa Warmly Welcomed by Indonesian Citizens

Dream - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi made a working visit to four countries in the African region on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Since taking office as president in 2014, this is Jokowi's first visit to the African region.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, Jokowi received a warm welcome from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya Alfred Mutua and the Minister of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Kenya Salim Mvurya as the Escort of Honour.

In addition, Jokowi was also welcomed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya Mohamad Hery Saripudin and his wife, the Indonesian Defense Attaché in Pretoria Colonel Mar. Burhanudin and his wife, as well as other Indonesian citizens living in Kenya.

In a video shared on the Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat, it can be seen that Indonesian citizens eagerly awaited Jokowi's arrival and wanted to shake hands with him. Some even brought their children while welcoming Jokowi.

They were willing to crowd together just to see the number one person in Indonesia with his warm smile.

"Mr. Jokowi, stay healthy," said an Indonesian citizen who managed to shake hands with a joyful face.

In Kenya, President Jokowi is scheduled to meet with the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Next, the President will visit the United Republic of Tanzania to meet with the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and hold a business meeting with several business leaders in Tanzania.

Then, Jokowi will visit Mozambique to hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi.

Jokowi's visit to the African region will be concluded by visiting South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit 2023. Jokowi will return to Indonesia on August 25, 2023.

"For South Africa, Indonesia is invited to the BRICS Summit, and of course, during the BRICS Summit, various bilateral meetings will be held with other heads of state," said Jokowi as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat.

Not alone, in his first visit to Africa, Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, as well as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.

In the same flight, there were also the Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Head of State Protocol Andy Rachmianto, Presidential Military Secretary Rear Admiral TNI Hersan, Commander of the Presidential Security Forces Major General TNI Rafael Granada Baay, and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.