Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Organisations condemn suspension, mistreatment of advocate Mpale Mpoki

Three human rights organisations on Tuesday issued a joint statement condemning the decision by the Advocates Committee to suspend popular lawyer and advocate Mpale Mpoki, describing the decision as a violation of the litigator’s rights as an advocate.

Mpoki, enrolled into the Roll of Advocates on December 15, 1989, with Roll No 506, was suspended on Monday during the proceedings involving Advocate Boniface Mwabukusi, whom the Attorney General brought before the Advocates Committee over his language in criticising the intergovernmental agreement between Tanzania and Dubai.

The Attorney General is looking to have Mwabukusi disbarred, citing his unprofessional conduct, and the hearing started Monday with Advocate Mpoki among ten attorneys defending Mr Mwabukusi, himself an advocate, in the case that has attracted much attention from the public.

Full story here.

How does Tanzania roll with the electric car revolution?

The international community will gather in Dubai in less than two weeks to assess its progress in halting climate change. 

A key topic at the UN climate change conference (COP 28) will be the energy revolution, as the world tries to wean its dependence on fossil fuels by replacing them with renewable energy in every sector of the economy.

In the realm of mobility, Tanzania is a leader and a laggard at the same time: It is the leading country in East Africa in deploying electric two- and three-wheelers. 

Over 5,000 such vehicles, mostly motorbikes, are currently used in the country, as a report by the NGO African Mobility Alliance revealed in March this year. The numbers for electric four-wheelers, however, are far less impressive. Only a handful of electric cars are in use, and electric buses have yet to be introduced.

Full story here.

Making sense of Tanzania’s stance on Israel-Palestine conflict

The Israel-Hamas fighting that began on October 7, 2023, has divided the opinions of many Tanzanians. Some support Israel and their biblical claim to the land, while others support Hamas and their struggle for a free Palestine.

The Tanzanian government has remained neutral in the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and the implementation of a two-state solution. On both sides of the debate, Tanzanians are dissatisfied with the government’s response and prefer that it take a side. 

Emotions were heightened with the announcement of the death of compatriot Clemence Felix Mtenga, who was said to be among two Tanzanians captured by Hamas. 

Tanzania issued its first public statement on November 7, 2023, reiterating the importance of observing international law, calling for a cease-fire, and urging the resumption of the peace process to achieve the two-state solution. 

Full analysis here.

Thirteen French SMEs in Tanzania to discover commercial opportunities

Bpifrance, a French public sector investment bank, and Business France, a French government agency, are accompanying a total of 13 Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMEs) to discover the Tanzanian market, a statement released Tuesday stated.

The delegation will be in Tanzania for three days, arriving in Tanzania on Monday, November 20, and is expected to depart on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

During their three-day trip to Tanzania, the 13 French SMEs will benefit from an intense program that includes individual and personalised business meetings with local companies, meetings with key local actors, and collective networking sessions.

This delegation of French companies from the construction, healthcare, aeronautics, and services sectors marks a new step forward in Franco-Tanzanian trade relations, which are extremely dynamic and illustrate a shared desire to build new partnerships.

The French embassy in Dar es Salaam said in a statement that the companies’ arrival in Tanzania illustrates French companies’ positive perception of the Tanzanian market and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s opening measures.

The delegation was received by the Ambassador of France in Tanzania, Nabil Hajlaoui, who highlighted the will of French companies to enter the Tanzanian market and improve their products to make them more suitable for this market.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs inaugurates India-Tanzania Business Roundtable

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri. V. Muraleedharan, on Tuesday inaugurated the India-Tanzania Business Roundtable here, underlining the “limitless possibilities” in economic partnership between the two countries.

Mr Muraleedharan is in Tanzania for a four-day state visit, which commenced on Monday and is expected to conclude on November 23, 2023, where he’ll proceed to neighbouring Kenya.

Accompanied by 30 Indian businesspeople, the minister highlighted that this new trade mechanism will provide an alternative avenue for businesses on both sides.

“My visit to Tanzania follows President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s successful state visit to India last month,” The Citizen newspaper quoted Mr Muraleedharan as saying. “This visit serves as a follow-up to ensure the realisation of agreements, and MoUs signed during her visit, aiming to enhance the business relationship between our two nations.”

He commended Tanzania’s position as a gateway to East Africa and a key transit trade point, highlighting developments such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACfTA) and increasing trade liberalisation within the East African Community (EAC) as factors that make Tanzania an attractive trade and investment destination for India.

Mr Muraleedharan urged the members of the India-Tanzania business community to play an active role in promoting bilateral trade, investing in joint ventures and business partnerships, and attracting entrepreneurs and startups from both sides to collaborate and network.

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