Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

Thirteen arrested in Zanzibar in connection with child sex trafficking reports

Urban West Regional Police Commander Richard Thadei Mchomvu on Wednesday revealed that law enforcement organs in Zanzibar are holding thirteen people in connection with child sex trafficking reports The Chanzo revealed last week.

In the reports, which Mchomvu admitted sent shockwaves in several parts of the semi-autonomous archipelago, The Chanzo exposes a secretive criminal ring that lures unsuspecting and runaway boys under the age of eighteen and forces them into prostitution.

This publication revealed that the network involves multiple actors, including recruiters, agents, sellers, and buyers, causing a huge debate in several parts of the country.

Full story here.

Study recommends measures Petra Diamonds can restore community relations

A major study published earlier this month outlines key recommendations Petra Diamonds can implement restoring relations with communities neighbouring its Williamson mine in Shinyanga, emphasising the need to “improve [the mine’s] understanding of and responsiveness to the concerns and needs of local residents.”

Titled Petra Diamonds’ Attempts to Come Clean With Its Tarnished Past in Tanzania: Challenges in Securing Access to Remedy and Restoring Community Relations After Serious Human Rights Abuse at the Williamson Diamond Mine, the 92-page report was conducted by the International Peace Information Service (IPIS), a Belgium-based research institute.

Funded by the European Union (EU) and Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), the study assesses Petra Diamonds’ efforts to restore community relations and remediate the legacy of serious human rights abuse at its Williamson diamond mine in Shinyanga.

Full story here.

Peace talks between Ethiopia, Oromo rebels in Tanzania collapse – again

Ethiopian media reported Wednesday that a second round of peace talks between the warring Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army that concluded in Dar es Salaam recently failed to produce an agreement between the two parties.

The November talks followed the first round of peace negotiations between the two parties, which kicked off on April 25, 2023. The discussions followed a commitment by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to ending the decades-long fighting that has claimed thousands of lives.

Facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the second round of peace talks involved high-profile figures in the conflict, including Kumsa Diriba, the commander of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), who is popularly known as Jaal Marroo.

There was hope among observers that the talks would yield something substantive this time, given the failure of the first round of negotiations in Zanzibar to produce any tangible outcome.

Full story here.

Kenya’s Jambojet to start flying from Mombasa to Zanzibar beginning July next year

Kenya’s low-cost airline Jambojet will, starting in July next year, start flying from Mombasa to Zanzibar, Kenya’s Capital FM reported Wednesday.

Speaking at the ongoing Magical Kenya and East African Region Tourism Expo,  Jambojet Chairman Vincent Rague said the Mombasa-Zanzibar route is not just a flight route but “a bridge that cements the cultural heritage between our people, but also connects the beautiful coasts of Kenya and Zanzibar.”

“With its rich history, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture, the two destinations are gems within the Indian Ocean, and we are delighted to bring these breathtaking destinations closer to you,” he added.

The tourism sector is the engine of most countries in the East African Community (EAC), thus its importance to their economies. The EAC Tourism Marketing Strategy aims to position the region as Africa’s leading sustainable tourism destination.

The strategy has set five key objectives, among them developing competitive multi-destination tourism products, branding East Africa as a single tourism destination, and positioning and marketing EAC as a leading regional tourism destination in Africa.

“As Africa’s leading low-cost airline, we take pride in being part and parcel of the ever-growing tourism sector by adapting to market dynamics but driven mainly by consumer needs and insights,” Jambojet CEO Karanja Ndegwa stated.

“Multi-destination travel is only possible with reliable, affordable and accessible connectivity,” he added. “This is the role Jambojet seeks to play as we expand our network, evident in the new route Mombasa – Zanzibar.”

Jambojet flies to 7 destinations from its primary hub in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Ukunda (Diani), Lamu, and Goma in the Eastern DRC.

Jambojet also operates two routes from its secondary hub in Mombasa to Kisumu and Eldoret. The airline was named Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline at the World Travel Awards and has flown over 6 million passengers since its inception.

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