Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Chissano places Africa’s democratisation agenda on the youth: ‘Seize the moment’
The second edition of the Africa Drive for Democracy Conference kicked off here Wednesday with the Mozambican statesman Joaquim Chissano giving a keynote address where he emphasised the role of the African youth in driving the democratisation agenda in the continent.
Organised jointly by the Centre for Strategic Litigation (CLS), Institute for Securities Studies (ISS), and MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS-TCDC), the yearly event brought over 300 participants from 45 African countries to discuss the future of democracy in the continent.
Four former African heads of state and governments participated in this year’s conference, which includes Chissano, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (Tanzania), Ernest Bai Koroma (Sierra Leone) and Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe (Ethiopia). The four leaders’ retreat between July 17 and July 18 preceded Wednesday’s conference.
In his keynote address, President Chissano, who served as the second president of an independent Mozambique from 1986 to 2005, urged the African youth to “seize the moment” and push the democratisation agenda in the continent.
“I’m directing this message to Africa’s greatest asset: our young people,” the former leader of the southern African nation said. “When we were engaged in liberation efforts, we were not as privileged with the tools that the digital revolution and advancement have afforded your generation.
“Seize the moment and take up the responsibilities for the destiny of your respective societies and the continent as a whole while strongly believing in the benefit of the digital revolution.”
Full story here.
Canada’s international development minister in Tanzania for five-day visit
Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, Harjit Sajjan, is in Tanzania today as he starts his five-day visit to the East African country.
While in Tanzania, Mr Sajjan will visit projects supported by the Canadian government focusing on health, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), inclusive economic growth and food security. Canadian Member of Parliament Arielle Kayabaga accompanies him.
The duo will also meet with Tanzanian officials to discuss realities faced in the region and Canada’s ongoing commitment to Tanzania. After visiting the United Kingdom (UK) and Rwanda, Tanzania is his last stop.
Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of Canada’s international assistance ($127M in 2021-22), according to data from the Canadian government. The country has contributed $3.54 billion in development assistance to Tanzania since its independence.
The Commonwealth member state is among the largest bilateral donors for Tanzania in the health sector, providing significant support in strengthening health systems and SRHR.
Report claim Adani Ports seeks to operate cargo berths at Dar’s port, TPA deny the report
According to a report by Swarajya, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), an Indian port operator and logistics company, is one of the companies that have bidded to secure the rights to develop and operate cargo berths at Tanzania’s main port Dar es Salaam.
The reports claims, if the company wins the tender announced by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), it will represent the third global acquisition by APSEZ’s port unit in recent years. TPA is expected to announce the winner of the tender anytime from now.
APSEZ was contracted by TPA in January of this year to operate four container handling berths (8 to 11) at Dar es Salaam Port. This came after the expiration of their five-year contract with Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd.
According to the report, APSEZ and Abu Dhabi Ports Group have reportedly joined forces to submit a joint bid for various berths at Dar es Salaam port, the main access point to Tanzania’s hinterland and the Great Lakes region of Africa.
However, Tanzania Port Authority Executive Director, Mr. Plasduce M. Mbossa has informed The Chanzo, that the report is incorrect, ‘I have no idea about the report’, said Mr.Mbossa.
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