President Samia Holds Final Cabinet Meeting Ahead of October General Election
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, held a Cabinet meeting on July 14, 2025, at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma, attended by ministers and other leaders who are members of the Cabinet.
According to a statement from the State House, this was the final Cabinet meeting before the upcoming General Election for the President, Members of Parliament, and Councilors, scheduled to take place in October 2025.
On June 27, 2025, President Samia also concluded the 12th Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, announcing that it will be officially dissolved on August 3, 2025.
Court Dismisses Petition Challenging 2025 Electoral Code of Conduct, Arguing Citizens Who Brought the Petition are Mere Neighbors to the Process
The High Court, presided over by Judge Abdi Shaaban Kagomba, has dismissed a petition challenging the 2025 Electoral Code of Conduct. In the ruling issued on July 11, 2025, the court states that only political parties, candidates, the government, and the National Electoral Commission are the primary stakeholders with the legal standing to contest the regulation.
The petition was filed by two citizens, Kumbusho Kagine and Bubelwa Kaiza, who had requested the court to temporarily suspend the implementation of the code until a full judicial review.
Represented by Advocate Mpale Mpoki and Jebra Kambole, the applicant tabled six reasons for their request before the court. First, they argued that the use of the words washiriki wa uchaguzi, translated to election participants in the preamble of the regulations, refers to the public. Second, they argued they are citizens of voting age, and have registered to vote; hence, they have a right to vote and be elected. Third, they argued they have the right to vote and be elected, that they may vie for electoral positions as candidates.
Fourth, they argued that they have an interest in a free and fair election in the country, and fifth, they argued that they have an interest in the Regulations as voters and also have an interest in voting for the candidates of their choice. The final argument is that they emphasized that the Regulations establish rights and responsibilities to candidates, members of political parties, and their followers, who may not be members, hence such responsibilities become a civic duty on every person as per Article 26(1) of the Constitution.
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Zanzibar Hosts Critical Tuna Talks for the Indian Ocean
Zanzibar is currently hosting a pivotal international meeting focused on the future of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean. The 15th Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria (TCAC15) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) began on July 14 and will run through July 17, bringing together delegates from around 25 countries.
The central agenda is to negotiate fair and sustainable criteria for allocating tuna fishing quotas vital to food security, livelihoods, and economic development across the region.
“This fishery is incredibly important. It supports food security and economic development, particularly for Tanzania,” said Professor Quentin Hanich, Chair of the TCAC. “We must cooperate across all Indian Ocean coastal states to manage these resources fairly and sustainably.”
Tuna is a highly valuable global commodity, and countries in the region are seeking equitable access. Tanzania, as host, has emphasized the importance of being recognized for a greater share of the tuna harvest to support its economy.
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The Energy Charter Treaty Fallout: Why Tanzania Must Rethink Its Energy Investment Framework Now
On 28 June2025, the European Union (EU) formally withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), a multilateral investment agreement designed to promote and protect foreign investment in the energy sector. This decision followed a European Parliament vote on 24 April 2024, which concluded that the ECT had become incompatible with the EU Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the Union’s long-term climate neutrality goals.
Despite years of debate over modernization efforts, the EU ultimately determined that the treaty, particularly its Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism and “sunset clause” posed significant risks. These provisions were seen as locking in fossil fuel investments and undermining the ability of states to shift their policies toward clean energy.
As part of the withdrawal arrangement, the EU clarified that existing investments made within its territory, and with respect to measures adopted by the EU and Euratom, would remain protected by the ECT until 28 June 2045. This 20-year extension reflects the treaty’s sunset clause, designed to shield investments made prior to withdrawal.
Although Tanzania is not a full signatory to the ECT, it has held observer status since 2015, alongside other East African Community (EAC) countries. This non-binding participation allowed Tanzania to engage in ECT dialogues and capacity-building processes, often seen as preparatory steps toward eventual accession.
Tanzania’s decision now appears prudent in hindsight. Nevertheless, the country is not immune to the ripple effects of the EU’s departure, especially since many energy multinationals investing in Tanzania originate from EU member states and have historically relied on ECT protections to mitigate investment risks abroad.
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