Asha-Rose Migiro is known for her common touch
By Vicky Ntetema
BBC News
Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, becomes the first black woman and first African to hold
the position of deputy UN secretary-general, a post created in 1998.
When she made history last year, becoming Tanzania's first woman foreign
minister, some people started referring to her as the "Condoleezza Rice
of Tanzania".
But Mrs Migiro, a seasoned human rights champion, preferred the title "Dr
Asha-Rose of Tanzania".
She is a Muslim, has a law doctorate from Germany, and is described as
hardworking, modest and a down-to earth politician.
Married to a Christian, a university lecturer with whom she has two children,
she rose to prominence 10 years ago after acquiring a ruling party
parliamentary seat reserved for women.
No ivory tower Despite her former career in academia - she headed the law
faculty at the University of Dar es Salaam - Mrs Migiro is a person who likes
to be in touch with the grassroots.
Asha-Rose Migiro She is certainly a lady who stands out in the crowd. Unlike
some of her learned colleagues in the political arena she addresses ordinary
Tanzanians in Kiswahili without using English words.
When she is in rural areas, she does not demand urban hospitality - eating
what her hosts eat and chatting with them as if she was not a prominent
political leader.
This way, she believes, people will open up and talk freely.
Two year's ago, women's organisations urged Mrs Migiro to seek the nomination
as the ruling party's presidential candidate.
However, she turned the request down saying that she was waiting for the right
time.
Baptism of fire Some have questioned her appointment saying that she is not a
career diplomat.
Others argue that the fact that she has only held the foreign affairs
portfolio for a year does not give her enough experience to work at
the UN secretariat.
But her supporters say she has proved she can take the heat.
In fact, Mrs Migiro had a baptism of fire last year as her appointment as
foreign minister came as Tanzania took over the
presidency of the UN Security Council and she had to preside over its frequent
meetings in New York .
And while Dr Asha-Rose may be quiet and unassuming, she is certainly a lady
who stands out in the crowd.
This is exemplified by her wardrobe - a fashionable mixture of
African, Western and even Asian styles, but without clashing colours.
Source: http://news.
bbc.co.uk/
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6247789.stm
