Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on March 04, 2025.
Tanzania’s Chief of Defense Forces consoles family of soldier killed in DRC
Tanzania’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Jacob John Mkunda, visited Zanzibar to console the family of Sergeant Mohamed Abdallah Suleiman, a fallen soldier of the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF). Tanzania lost two soldiers, including Sergeant Mohamed and Private John, following advances by the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo.
The soldiers were part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) , which was deployed on December 15, 2023, involving troops from Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa.
“Our soldiers fought in the mission to assist their fellow in the Congo to restore peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately, we lost two of our soldiers from the Tanzanian contingent alone,” Mkunda said.
He continued: “After the incident, we did everything within our power to ensure that the body of our fallen hero was brought back and laid to rest with full Islamic and military honors. In collaboration with SADC, our military, and the family, we worked together to ensure that our beloved hero’s body was returned to the country so that he could receive his rightful and honorable burial. The deceased passed away on January 24, 2025, and we were able to lay him to rest on the 13th after a farewell ceremony at Lugalo on the 12th.”
In the incident, South Africa lost 14 soldiers, while Malawi lost three. In an earlier statement on February 2, 2025, the Tanzanian army reported that four of its soldiers had been wounded.
Mkunda told the family that he had been sent by the President to extend her condolences. He explained that the President was deeply touched by the incident and had entrusted him with conveying sympathies to the bereaved family.
On February 24, 2025, a joint meeting of the Chiefs of Defense Forces of SADC and EAC was held in Dar es Salaam. As part of the resolutions from the joint SADC Summit, the meeting was crucial in formulating security plans for eastern DRC.
Cuba’s National Assembly President visits Tanzania
Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State of Cuba, is in Tanzania for an official visit. During his stay, he is expected to meet with the Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Zubeir Ali Maulid, and Mama Maria Nyerere, the widow of Tanzania’s first President.
Before arriving in Tanzania, Lazo Hernández concluded his visit to Zimbabwe, where he met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on March 3, 2025.
Mining sector contribution to GDP expected to reach 10pc in 2025
The Tanzania Mining Commission has announced that the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy is projected to reach 10 percent by the end of 2025. This follows consistent growth from 7.2 percent in 2021 to 9 percent in 2023.
During a press briefing on March 4, 2025, the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Ramadhani Lwamo, highlighted key achievements over the past four years, including the sector’s increasing contribution to the economy. The Commission also reported that it has issued 41,424 mining licenses, surpassing its target of 37,318 licenses during the current administration.
Additionally, royalties collection has risen from TSh 624.61 billion in 2021/22 to TSh 753.82 billion in 2023/24.
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