Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Committee postpones hearing on proposed amendments to key natural wealth laws as it seeks govt clarification
The Parliamentary Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee has postponed the public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act of 2017 and the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act, 2017 (No. 6 of 2017).
The committee’s chairperson, Joseph Mhagama, told The Chanzo Thursday that it was seeking further clarification from the government about the proposed changes that have raised some eyebrows among observers of the country’s affairs.
The laws were among the pieces of legislation included in the Written Laws (Misc Amendment) No. 2 Bill, 2023, which intended to amend, among other laws, the country’s natural wealth and resources legislations so that they will not apply to the operations of multinational logistics company DP World’s operations in Tanzania.
Full story here.
Why DP World saga fails to trigger wider movement for political changes
It’s been about two months since the DP World saga started, becoming one of the longest public discussions in Tanzania in recent years, yet the issue hasn’t quite snowballed into sentiments for wider political changes.
Yes, the public is shocked and angry. But there isn’t obvious evidence that support for the opposition as an alternative political option has increased. Nor has the public fury against the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party swollen. I have three theories that try to explain why that is the case.
Firstly, many consider the issue merely an incompetence problem that can be fixed, believing that it’s only a failure by the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to negotiate a better deal and not necessarily about an unpatriotic president on a mission to squander national resources.
Full analysis here.
Tanzania’s envoys must deliver. Here are some tips to ensure efficiency
For Tanzania, a professional and well-trained diplomatic corps is an indispensable asset on the global stage. These diplomats serve as tireless advocates for our nation’s interests, forging partnerships, resolving conflicts, and projecting a positive image.
As our nation strives to achieve socio-economic progress while addressing unique challenges, skilled diplomats foster a stable, interconnected world where mutual understanding and cooperation prevail.
In the dynamic landscape of international relations, the importance of nurturing a proficient diplomatic corps cannot be overstated, for it is through their efforts that our nation can navigate the complexities of the global arena and secure a brighter future for our citizens.
Full analysis here.
Govt, GIZ Tanzania in joint strategy against human-wildlife conflicts
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, in cooperation with GIZ Tanzania, a German development agency, has launched an ambitious project to curtail a spate of wildlife-human conflicts in the Lindi and Ruvuma regions.
The project comes against the background of increasing cases of human-wildlife conflicts in the two regions, and it will be implemented in sync with the ongoing national strategy against the challenge.
Data from the government show that in just one year – 2022 to 2023 – wildlife has caused the destruction of approximately 1,0724.05 acres of various crops in the regions of Lindi and Mtwara.
Full story here.
Tanzania opens new consulate in Ghana
Tanzania has opened its new consulate in Ghana, having received the Exequatur of the President of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. The new consulate will be located in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
A statement released Thursday stated that opening the new consulate would boost the long history of trade, investment, and Pan-African cooperation between the two countries.
“As is well known, Ghana and Tanzania enjoy a cordial relationship dating back to the independence era when our founding leaders, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Dr Kwame Nkrumah, were pioneers in pursuing African solidarity,” the statement said.
“The two countries have maintained this relationship through diplomatic engagements, cultural exchanges and educational programmes,” it added.
The statement said the consulate would be headed by Dr Ken Kwaku, who was appointed the Honorary Consul-General of Tanzania to Ghana. Dr Kwaku is a successful international civil servant with a long history of ties to Tanzania and Ghana.
“It has been long overdue for Tanzania to have a strong diplomatic presence in Ghana,” he said while inaugurating the consulate. “I was honoured to play a key role in opening the Ghana Consulate in Tanzania, and today, this consulate will continue that effort all in the name of Pan-African cooperation.”
Kwaku has a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, Canada and has built a long career in international civil service as a trade advisor, investment promoter, researcher, economic advisor and consultant.
For more than three decades, he worked at the World Bank, helping countries navigate complex relations and structures of international trade and investment. Upon retirement, Dr Kwaku served as economic advisor to the late former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa.
Tanzanian conjoined twins arrive in Riyadh
Conjoined twins Hasan and Hussein, accompanied by their mother, arrived at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh on Wednesday from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on a Medevac plane, upon the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
According to a report by Asharq Al Awsat, upon their arrival at the airport on Wednesday, the twins were immediately transferred to King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in the Ministry of National Guard for further examination of their case and to explore the possibility of performing a surgical separation.
The Advisor at the Royal Court, General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the head of the Medical Team, Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, emphasised that these actions demonstrate the Kingdom’s deep sense of humanity and solidarity.
He expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their unwavering support towards Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program and humanitarian efforts in general.
The mother of the twins extended her heartfelt appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their kind gesture and the warm hospitality and generosity they experienced during their stay in the Kingdom.
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