Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
CHADEMA in new tug-of-war with party registrar
Tanzania’s Registrar of Political Parties Mr Francis Mutungi has reportedly written to CHADEMA demanding the main opposition party in the country to explain why disciplinary measures should not be taken against it following its Secretary-General John Mnyika’s statement that President Samia Suluhu Hassan “lied” about the terrorism charges against CHADEMA national chairperson Freeman Mbowe.
Mr Mnyika said in a Twitter post that Mr Mutungi’s letter arrived at the former’s office yesterday, August 12, 2021. It wants CHADEMA to submit its defence not later than today, August 13, 2021. During his meeting with journalists on Monday, August 10, 2021, in Dar es Salaam, Mr Mnyika said all explanations that President Samia said about Mbowe’s case is a lie before accusing her of interfering with judicial proceedings.
During her interview with BBC Swahili aired on Monday, President Samia said that she does not think that the charges against Mr Mbowe are politically motivated, adding that the charges were filed officially in September 2020 but police failed to arrest him because the investigation into the charges had not been completed. “I think he did some [political] calculations,” the Head of State said during the interview. “Knowing that he faces [terrorism] charges, and the chaos that he is instigating, [Mbowe forced to make] his arrest appears as if it is related to his constitutional reforms activities. I think [but] I’m not sure.”
“I’ll comment on some of the statements [made by President Samia] while avoiding deep responses on some of them,” Mr Mnyika said during the press conference that took place at the party’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam. “[This is in spite of] all the big lies that President [Samia] made. [I’m doing this] so that [CHADEMA] does not fall on the same trap [that caught Samia] of interfering with judicial proceedings.”
Mr Mutungi reportedly described the above statement by Mr Mnyika as “abusive, defamatory, and unethical” in his letter to CHADEMA. Mr Mnyika did not indicate in his statement yesterday if the party is going to respond to the Registrar’s letter or not. The relationship between the Office of Party Registrar and CHADEMA is rather bitter and uncomfortable as the latter thinks the Office is used to maintain the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) hegemony in Tanzania, charges that it always denies.
Mr Mbowe was brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate Court for the first time on July 26, 2021, accused of taking part in conspiracies to blow up fueling stations and other public gatherings as well as funding terrorist acts. He was arrested in Mwanza together with eleven other CHADEMA cadres — who have since been released — ahead of a New Constitution conference that the party’s Youth Wing (BAVICHA) had called and which Mr Mbowe was expected to be the guest of honour. The hearing of his case is expected to resume today.
Court says Sabaya, accomplices have case to answer
Arusha Resident Magistrate Court yesterday said that the former Hai district commissioner Lengai ole Sabaya and his two other accomplices “have a case to answer,” several media outlets reported yesterday.
This means that now the accused will have an opportunity to defend themselves against armed robberies charges they are being accused of. This, however, is independent of the economic sabotage case that Mr Sabaya and others face.
Mr Sabaya and his two accomplices Sylvester Nyegu and Daniel Mbura face charges of stealing Sh2.7 million from businessman Mohamed Saad on February 9, 2021.
They are also accused of stealing Sh390, 000 from Bakari Msangi who is the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) councillor for the Sombetini Ward in Arusha on February 9, 2021.
The third charge that Mr Sabaya and his accomplices face is stealing Sh35, 000 and a Tecno mobile phone from Ramadhani Rashid on February 9, 2021.
Sabaya and his two co-accused will start defending themselves against the charges today, August 13, 2021.
World Bank appoints Tanzanian as new country manager for Cambodia
The World Bank said yesterday that it has appointed Tanzania’s Maryam Salim as its new Country Manager for a Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia, succeeding Inguna Dobraja who has moved to Moldova after five years of heading the Bretton Woods office in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Ms Salim is taking the responsibility at a time when the World Bank is implementing its Country Partnership Framework for Cambodia for 2019-2023 that focuses on improving the efficiency of the public sector and promoting private sector development, the international lender said yesterday in a statement.
The framework also focuses on investing in human capital by improving access to quality early childhood education and health services; diversifying agriculture and increasing its productivity; promoting the sustainable use of natural resources; and strengthening governance, institutions, and citizen engagement.
“It is my great pleasure to take this new position and I am very glad to be back to Cambodia, 17 years after first working [there] as a team leader for social fund projects to strengthen communities and fight poverty,” the WB statement quoted Ms Salim as saying. Ms Salim, the daughter of former Tanzania’s prime minister and distinguished diplomat Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, has more than 20 years of experience in the World Bank, most recently as the Country Manager for Albania.
“I look forward to working with my Cambodian colleagues to help the country manage the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, lay the groundwork for a robust recovery, and build resilience against future economic shocks,” added Ms Salim. Ms Salim becomes the only and the first Tanzanian to serve the World Bank on that capacity.
According to the Bank, Ms Salim held several high profile positions in WB operations policy in Washington D.C., most recently as the Country Manager for Albania. Holding a master’s degree in International Economics and Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, Ms Salim has more than 20 years of experience in the World Bank.
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