Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Wednesday, June 05, 2024.

Tanzania turns to China for standard gauge railway financing

Tanzania’s Finance Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, and experts from the Ministry, held an online meeting with the President of Exim Bank China, Ren Shengiun to discuss financing for Tanzania’s development projects. The Ministry highlighted the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as a key area for Exim Bank’s support.

The Tanzanian delegation included Deputy Permanent Secretary Amina Khamis Shaaban, Commissioner for External Finance Rished Bade, and Assistant Commissioner for Resource Mobilization Tiba E. Kisonga.

This meeting follows a recent discussion between the Tanzanian Finance Minister and officials from the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE) in May 21,2024. SINOSURE has committed to financing lot five of the SGR, which stretches from Isaka to Mwanza (341 km), and lot six, from Tabora to Kigoma (506 km). These segments are being constructed by Chinese firms CCEC and CRCC at costs of USD 1.3 billion and USD 2.7 billion, respectively.

The total cost of constructing Tanzania’s SGR is estimated at USD 10 billion. The first four lots are being constructed with Turkish firm Yapi Merkez at a cost of USD 6 Billion. Tanzania has already started testing of its firs lot from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.

Exim Bank China is the largest international creditor to Tanzania, with a total debt stock of TSh 3.9 trillion. Much of this debt financed the construction of a gas pipeline from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam.

The latest meeting is the second meeting between Tanzania and Exim China, in August 18, 2023, the two parties met in China for similar discussions.

Seven days without two-year-old Asiimwe Novath: Concerns grow over safety of people with albinism

It has now been seven days since the abduction of two-year-old Asiimwe Novath, who was taken on May 30, 2024, from Bulamula Village, Mbale Hamlet, Kamachumu Ward, Muleba District, Kagera Region. The silence from the police regarding efforts to recover the child has heightened concerns about her safety.

The Tanzania Albino Society (TAS) has strongly condemned the abduction, announcing its intention to request a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. TAS hopes that a statement from the President will help end such cruelty, emphasizing that it is disgraceful for a country claiming to value human dignity to have its citizens with albinism living in fear.

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Tanzania signs 422.16 Billion loan with South Korea

The Government of Tanzania has received a loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea amounting to USD 163.6 million, equivalent to TZS 422.16 billion, for the construction of Binguni Referral Hospital in Zanzibar.

The loan agreement was signed in Seoul Yesterday, June 5, 2024, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Natu Mwamba, on behalf of the Government of Tanzania, and by the Executive Director of the Exim Bank, Hwang Kiyeon.

The signing of this agreement was witnessed by the Minister of State, President’s Office, Finance, and Planning of Zanzibar, Saada Mkuya, who stated that once completed, the construction of this hospital will enhance the availability of quality medical services for the people of Zanzibar. The loan is part of the USD 2.5 billion commitment from the South Korean government.

Songwe residents file lawsuit against Ngorongoro Conservation Authority to oppose eviction

About 120 residents of Ndolezi Village in the Songwe Region have filed a lawsuit against the government and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) in the High Court’s Mbeya branch. The lawsuit opposes plans to relocate them to allow for the expansion of the Mbozi meteorite area.

Speaking to the press on June 5, 2024, Advocate Philip Mwakilima, who is representing the residents, stated that the court has given the government until June 12, 2024, to submit their written arguments.

“This case, filed by the residents of Ndolezi Village, challenges the government’s and the NCAA’s attempts to remove them from their ancestral lands. It should be noted that the Ndolezi area, also known as the Kimondo area, has never been declared a national park,” explained Mwakilima. “The government must present their written arguments by June 12, and on behalf of the plaintiffs, we will submit our objections on June 19. The case will be mentioned again on July 10.”

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Ensuring transparency in Tanzania’s relations with the outside world is key to preventing unnecessary misunderstanding

Like many Tanzanians, I enjoy Korean dramas. My favourite actor is Lee Min Ho. City Hunter is my top K-drama. Although I haven’t been to Seoul yet, I like the city. I even know a few Korean words; I can at least say Komowo, which means thank you, in English, if they gift me the latest Samsung mobile phone!

My fondness for Korea piqued my interest in following all the details of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to the Republic of Korea, famously known as South Korea, which has brought significant benefits to Tanzania, including a favourable loan of US$2.5 billion, or Sh6.5 trillion, and the signing of key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for developing the mining sector, particularly focusing on strategic minerals.

However, following the announcement, VOA Swahili reported that Tanzania had received the loan from South Korea and suggested it involved giving away mineral resources and maritime territory to Korea. That sparked outrage among Tanzanians. 

Some accused the government of relinquishing national resources, while others criticised VOA Swahili for causing alarm. The government’s swift clarification compelled the American state broadcaster to amend its headline, omitting the statement that suggested Tanzania has given away its minerals to Korea.

Read the full analysis here

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