Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on July 30, 2025.
President Samia Unveils Pilot Uranium Processing Plant: ‘A New Era for Tanzania‘
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially launched a pilot Uranium Processing Plant operated by Mantra Tanzania Limited July 30, 2025 in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region
Speaking at the project site near the Mkuju River in southern Tanzania—an area rich in uranium deposits—the President highlighted the plant’s strategic importance as it is expected to operate for 20 years, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and energy resources.
Mantra Tanzania, the company behind the project, is a subsidiary of Uranium One Group, which is owned by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, ROSATOM. The Government of Tanzania holds a 20% ownership stake in the venture.
President Samia revealed that the investment is projected to reach USD 1.2 billion, and the economic benefits to Tanzania will include 750 permanent jobs, USD 373 million in royalties, USD 26 million in tree tax, USD 15.7 million in withholding tax, USD 1.01 billion in corporate tax, USD 20.8 million in license fees, and USD 40 million in government dividends from its equity stake annually.
In addition to these economic gains, President Samia instructed that the project must strictly adhere to Tanzania’s 2010 Mining Act (Cap. 123), particularly concerning local content and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Continue reading here
Legal Tug-of-War Continues as Lissu Awaits Verdict, Accuses State of Political Motives Behind Delays
Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga of the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has once again adjourned Case No. 8607/2025 involving the Republic versus CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu, pushing the next hearing to August 13, 2025. On that date, the court is expected to deliver a ruling on submissions made by both sides.
The case revolves around treason charges leveled against Lissu, who has been in remand since April 9, 2025, following his arrest by police in Ruvuma Region shortly after concluding a public rally. The rally was part of his party’s “No Reforms, No Election” campaign, which demands electoral reforms in Tanzania.
During the brief session, State Attorney Nassoro Katuga requested another adjournment, citing the pending decision by the High Court expected on August 4, 2025 regarding a motion by the defense demanding the disclosure of anonymous witnesses.
“The High Court is expected to issue a ruling, and we must wait for that decision before proceeding. This court cannot override the High Court,” said Katuga.
Lissu, who is representing himself, strongly objected to the delay, arguing the court had been in favour of state counsels on unnecessarily prolonging the case. He argued that since investigations are complete, the case should be transferred to the High Court for hearing, or charges must be dropped.
He further alleged that the repeated adjournments point to a coordinated effort to politically suppress him ahead of the general election.
Continue reading here
Govt Presses Ahead with Nyatwali Relocations Despite Human Rights Concerns
The government in Mara region is proceeding with the relocation of approximately 13,000 residents from Nyatwali ward in Bunda District to facilitate the creation of a wildlife corridor from Serengeti National Park to Lake Victoria.
However, residents have told The Chanzo that the exercise has been marred by numerous irregularities, including brutality and severe human rights violations.
Reliable information received by this publication reveals that on July 26, 2025, two vehicles carrying 14 armed officers from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) arrived in two villages, Tamau and Serengeti.
The officers allegedly beat residents, burned their homes, destroyed cattle enclosures, and forcibly removed livestock, abandoning them in unknown locations, among other atrocities.
Continue reading here
Maridhiano at 15: Rekindling the Spirit of Reconciliation in Zanzibar’s Politics
Fifteen years ago today, the people of Zanzibar voted with hope and conviction in a historic referendum that changed the course of our islands’ political history. On July 31, 2010, a resounding 66.4 per cent of voters said “YES” to a power-sharing system designed to end decades of political turmoil and pave the way for a new era of reconciliation, stability, and national unity.
The referendum was not just about constitutional reform. It was a profound national choice – a moment when Zanzibaris chose dialogue over division, peace over polarisation. It was the culmination of a courageous initiative led by the then-President of Zanzibar, Dr Amani Abeid Karume, and the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, then leader of the opposition. Their landmark handshake on November 5, 2009, at the Zanzibar State House — unthinkable just months before — sent a powerful message: that reconciliation was not only possible, but necessary.
Behind that symbolic act stood the tireless work of the Maridhiano Committee, composed of six individuals from both sides of the political divide: Mzee Hassan Nassor Moyo (Chairman), Hon. Abubakar Khamis Bakary (Vice Chairman), ourselves – Mansoor Yussuf Himid and Ismail Jussa – alongside Mohamed Ahmed Al Mugheiry (Eddy Riyami), and Salim Bimani as members. As part of the team, we witnessed firsthand the power of listening, compromise, and political courage. We saw leaders put the interests of the nation above personal or partisan gain.
The fruit of that effort was the 10th Constitutional Amendment, which enshrined the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Zanzibar’s Constitution — a bold experiment in inclusive governance aimed at breaking the cycle of post-election violence and deepening democratic legitimacy.
Continue reading here
African Liberation Movements Summit Opposes Arms Exports, Foreign Interference
A summit of African political parties that once led anti-colonial struggles concluded in South Africa this week with calls to restrict arms exports to conflict zones and warnings against foreign interference on the continent.
The meeting, held from July 25 to 27, brought together representatives from six ruling parties: South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), Angola’s MPLA, Mozambique’s FRELIMO, Namibia’s SWAPO, Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF, and Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
The discussions centered on concerns that Africa is being drawn into global conflicts, particularly through arms production and alleged foreign meddling in regional affairs.
As per the press release, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who chaired the summit, said South Africa would block weapons shipments to war zones, including Ukraine.
“We have taken a decision—in line with South Africa’s constitution and foreign policy—not to allow local arms manufacturers, whether state or private, to supply weapons to the conflict in Ukraine,” Mbalula said. He described the move as a “pro-peace” stance rather than an anti-Western position.
Continue reading here
This is it for today, and we hope you enjoyed our briefing. Please consider subscribing to our newsletter (see left), following us on X (Twitter) (here), or you can support us (here). And if you have any questions or comments, please drop a word to our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
