Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on July 11, 2024.
Tanzania President appoints new spy chief Suleiman Abubakar Mombo
President Samia Suluhu has appointed Suleiman Abubakar Mombo as the new Director General of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services (TISS) succeeding Ali Idi Siwa who has retired. This was revealed today July 11, 2024, by the State House.
Mombo is the twelfth Director of the institution key to the security of the country. Past Directors of TISS include Emilio Charles Mzena, Lawrence Gama, Hassy Kitine, Dr. Agustine Mahiga, Lieutenant General Imrani Kombe, Apson Mwang’onda, Othman Rashid, Dr. Modestus Kipilimba, Diwani Athumani Msuya, Said Hussein Massoro and Ali Iddi Siwa.
Mombo is also the third appointee of President Samia in the three years of her Presidency. The first appointee of President Samia was Said Hussein Massoro who was appointed on January 03, 2023, followed by Ambassador Iddi Siwa who was appointed on June 08, 2023.
The appointment comes days after the President has also removed several senior officials from her office. On June 22, 2024, President Samia announced the appointment of Hassan Juma Mnyika who was the senior official at the state house as District Executive Director Kilolo. Also, Addo Missama was appointed as the District Executive Director of Misungwi.
Other senior officials were transferred from the state house on June 15, 2024, including John Stephen Simbachamwene who was appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Industries, and Nkoba Eliezer Mabula who was appointed as the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources. Also, Dr. Habib Gallus Kambanga was appointed as an ambassador.
State House brief shows Mombo was a senior official at the State House. He has also served as a key official at the Tanzania Embassy in Brazil.
Japan increases grant budget for Kigoma port rehabilitation to 53 billion
Japan has increased its grant budget for the Kigoma Port rehabilitation project by 8.9 billion Tanzanian shillings, bringing the total to 53.5 billion shillings. This announcement was made during a signing ceremony held on July 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, Misawa Yasushi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of Tanzania, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba.
In a press release, the Japanese Embassy explained that the Government of Japan has provided a grant totaling $20,391,000 for this project. The funds will be used to address the transportation needs at Kigoma Port, including the rehabilitation of both the passenger and cargo wharves as requested by the Tanzanian government.
The increase in the grant budget is attributed to changes in the exchange rate for the Japanese yen. On February 4, 2022, Japan issued a total grant of 2.73 million Japanese yen, equivalent to 44 billion Tanzanian shillings. This has now been increased to 3.27 million yen.
Tanzania and China strengthen collaboration in science studies
The Tanzania Institute of Education (TET) has signed a cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) of China to enhance the teaching and learning of science subjects. The agreement was signed by TET Director General, Dr. Aneth Komba, and ZJNU President, Prof. Huang Xiao, on July 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam.
Dr. Komba stated that this collaboration will establish the Science and Digital Education Center, making TET a regional training hub for science subjects. The initiative will include capacity building for curriculum developers, expert teachers, and science trainers through short courses and master’s and doctoral programs.
The partnership will also involve knowledge exchange through research, the preparation of teaching and learning materials such as textbooks and electronic guides, and academic exchange visits between TET and ZJNU experts. Additionally, there will be short programs for students and international educational conferences held annually in either China or Tanzania.
Prof. Huang Xiao emphasized that this cooperation underscores their commitment to promoting education and innovation in digital education. He noted that ZJNU has a history of collaboration with African educational institutions and that this agreement will enhance educational outcomes and prepare students for the future.
Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark to dock in Dar on July 16
Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark will dock in Dar es Salaam between July 16, 2024 and July 23, 2024. This was revealed yesterday by the acting spokesperson of The Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF), Lieutenant Colonel Gaudentius Gervas Ilonda.
“The naval ship will be in the country between July 16 and 23,2024, as part of the sixty years celebration of the Tanzania and China relations,” reads part of the statement from TPDF.
The ship will offer free medical check-up services, perform general treatments, small surgery, gynecology treatments, and treatment for burned skin, ear, nose, throat, dental, colon, and heart treatments. These services will be provided in collaboration with the TPDF experts. A group of medical doctors coming with the sip will also visit Temeke, Mwananyamala, and Amana hospitals.
The ship has five medical areas, including those for emergencies, triage, outpatients, inpatient care, and rescue, as well as eight operating rooms. Additionally, this ship is equipped with medical equipment such as CT scanners, DR systems, Color Doppler diagnostics, gastroscopes, biochemical analyzers, auxiliary devices, and more than 2,030 sets of various medical devices across 250 different types.
The ship was built in China, officially launched in December 2008. It is 178 meters long, 24 meters wide, and 35.5 meters high, with a rescue helicopter available on board. Since its creation, Peace Ark has conducted nine overseas missions, visiting 46 countries across three oceans and six continents, providing medical services to 290,000 people, earning it the reputation as the Ship of Life.
The ship has over 100 medical staff. Among them, 74% are mid-to-senior level specialists, and 67% have performed specialized medical tasks. Among the specialist doctors on the ship are those in neurology, reproductive health, orthopedics, dentistry, and general medicine.
This will be the fourth time the ship visits Tanzania to provide free medical services. The ship first arrived in the country in October 2010, then again in November 2017, where it provided free medical treatment to 6,441 Tanzanians. In 2021, the ship docked again and served various patients.
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