Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, September 18, 2023.
The Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change: Some take-home message for Tanzania
African Heads of State and Government convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4 to 6, 2023, for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS). Among other accomplishments of the summit was the adoption of the ‘Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.’
In this piece, I highlight the key issues raised in the declaration and make some reflections based on the Tanzanian climate governance experience.
The Heads of State and Government have acknowledged that the world, especially Africa, is not on track to keep the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C through emissions-cutting by 45 per cent by 2030.
They emphasised that Africa is now warming faster than the rest of the world and warned that this will worsen the adverse socio-economic impacts. Therefore, the leaders demanded immediate and rigorous efforts to lower emissions and reduce carbon dioxide concentrations.
Together, they expressed concern for the rapid urbanisation alongside rising poverty levels in African cities and urban areas. This threatens to increase vulnerability to climate hazards among the poor residing in these areas.
Full analysis here.
Tanzania, China hold joint military exercises on counter-terrorism
Tanzania and China have concluded the 12-day so-called ‘Transcend-2023’ China-Tanzania Marine Corps joint training, which counter-terrorism techniques and tactics in mixed groups.
Members from the countries’ Marine Corps wrapped up the training on September 15, 2023, reports emerged Monday, with the closing ceremony taking place at an unnamed training centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
According to reports by Chinese media, since the beginning of the training, the Chinese and Tanzanian troops focused on overseas and maritime counter-terrorism, conducting joint training by means of seminars, group training, and mutual learning around subjects like special shooting skills, boat operations and team tactics.
During the joint training, service members from both sides exchanged shooting skills and operation procedures of various types of light arms and engaged in firearm disassembly, assembly and shooting practices.
“In every training course, we would start from the demonstration,” Xu Da, a Chinese participant in the joint training, told Chinese media. “When coming across differences, we would discuss suitable tactics.”
The training troops of both sides also made use of their spare time to engage in cultural exchange activities.
“The Chinese and Tanzanian marines, through comprehensive mix grouped training, actively on combat strategies and training methods, exchanged experiences and learned from each other on combat strategies and training methods, which has deepened mutual trust and cooperation,” Hu Lin, another Chinese participant in the training, said.
Kenyan motorists cross into Tanzania for cheap fuel
Dozens of motorists and motorcycle riders, famously known as boda boda, in the border town of Namanga, in Kenya’s Kajiado County, have been reported to flock to Tanzania in search of cheap fuel.
According to a report by Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper, the move comes just a week after Kenyan authorities announced an increase in fuel prices, leading motorists in the border town to explore alternative sources for cheaper fuel.
According to the paper, as of Monday, a litre of Super petrol was selling at Tsh3,297, equivalent to Ksh184.18, while diesel was selling at Tsh3,343, equivalent to Sh186.76 at an exchange rate of Tsh 17.9 to a Kenyan shilling.
Kenyan motorists who cross into Tanzania for fuel save Sh27.46 and Sh14.23 for a litre of petrol and diesel, respectively.
However, it added that fuel prices in Tanzania have increased by a small margin due to the fluctuation in the exchange rate from Tsh17.3 to TSh17.9 for one Kenyan shilling.
It’s a booming business for unscrupulous fuel traders who cross into Tanzania through a clandestine route along the Kenya-Tanzania border and sell the scarce commodity in makeshift shops.
“Cheap fuel is being sold on the side streets,” one motorist told the Nation. “We know it’s illegal, but we are forced to buy. It’s survival of the fittest.”
On the Kenyan side of the border, petrol stations were deserted, the paper observed, and there was little activity, indicating a low level of fuel business.
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