Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on April 15,2024.

Tanzania to come up with new drug policy

Tanzania’s government has committed to draft new laws and policies that will strengthen the country’s capacity in combatting drugs. This was said in parliament on April 15, 2024, by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jenista Mhagama.

“We have decided to strengthen the laws and develop a new policy to help combat drugs in the country, but these policies and laws should lead us to research to understand where we are our situation, and everything we need to do,” said Mhagama.

In her report Mhagama said in 2023, the government had seized about 1,900 tons of illegal drugs, making it the largest quantity of drugs seized in eleven years. Mhagama attributed this to the increased willingness of the government to combat drugs and not the increased supply of drugs as some of the members of parliament had suggested.

Between December 05 and December 23, 2023, Tanzania’s DCEA conducted an operation that resulted in a major drug burst in the history of the country seizing 2,180.29 Kilograms of methamphetamine and 1001.71 Kilograms of heroin. The operation was conducted in Kigamboni, Ubungo, Kinondoni and Iringa. Tanzania is considered as one of the major heroin trafficking routes from Southwest Asia, with traffickers primarily utilizing small vessels for transportation.

President Samia to visit Turkey following President Erdogan’s Invitation

Tanzania president Samia Suluhu Hassan is scheduled to visit Turkey from April 17, 2024, following an invitation from the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This announcement was made on April 15,2024, by Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, January Makamba,

During her visit, President Samia will convene with a delegation of 100 Turkish business leaders, aiming to encourage investment in Tanzania.

Minister Makamba highlighted Turkey as a “key source of FDI,” underscoring its increasing influence on the Tanzanian economy since 2017 when President Erdogan made an official visit to the country.

The value of Turkish exports to Tanzania has surged from $144 million in 2013 to $253 million in 2021, ranking Tanzania among the top 11 importers, while Tanzanian exports to Turkey remain small.

Turkey has significantly contributed to construction projects in Tanzania, particularly through Yapi Markezi, a Turkish construction company. The firm secured contracts worth $5 billion for the Standard Gauge Railway project, marking one of the most substantial deals for a Turkish company on the continent.

Tanzania urges caution and more research on the decision to permit marijuana use

Tanzania’s government has urged for more research and caution toward deciding on marijuana usage for medicinal purposes.

This was presented in parliament on April 15, 2024, when the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jenista Mhagama, responded to the question from Nkenge member of parliament, Florent Laurent Kyombo who asked about the government’s direction toward the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“The matter of granting permission for cultivation and use of marijuana is an issue that should not be rushed into decisions,” said Mhagama. “The government needs time to conduct sufficient research to make informed decisions.”

The minister acknowledged the global debate surrounding the medicinal use of marijuana, citing discussions within the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where many member countries have voted in favor of removing marijuana as a dangerous substance. However, she emphasized the need for Tanzania to independently assess the potential benefits and risks associated with marijuana use.

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