Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.

Tanzania, Zimbabwe Pledge Stronger Economic Ties and United Front on Global Stage

Tanzania and Zimbabwe have agreed to deepen economic ties by focusing on key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and opportunities available under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area to boost trade between the two nations.

The agreement was reached during bilateral talks between the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Mpango, and Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Kembo Campbell Mohadi, who is on a two-day official visit to Tanzania.

During the discussions held at State House in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Dr. Mpango invited Zimbabwean businesses to purchase Tanzanian products, including food items such as rice and manufactured goods such as roofing sheets and cement.

Diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Zimbabwe date back to 1980, following Zimbabwe’s independence. In 1982, the two nations established the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) to strengthen collaboration in defense, trade, agriculture, tourism, mining, health, education, and culture.

According to a statement from the Tanzanian Vice President’s Office, the two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the historic solidarity forged during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, in which Tanzania played a key supporting role.

“Tanzania and Zimbabwe have agreed to build on their existing relations while preserving the shared history of the two nations,” the statement said.

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CHADEMA Youth Leader Arrest Sparks Abduction Fears – Police Clarify Detention

Tanzania Police Force in Arusha have confirmed the arrest of Gasper Temba, 30, the Chairman of CHADEMA’s Youth Wing (BAVICHA) for the Northern Zone, following widespread fears that he had been abducted.

Temba was taken into custody on Saturday, August 30, 2025, according to a statement released by the Arusha Regional Police. His arrest came after senior CHADEMA leaders raised alarm that he had been seized by unknown individuals in plain clothes while walking in Arusha town.

Arusha Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Justine Masejo, clarified that Temba was apprehended over forgery allegations, with the case initially filed in Dar es Salaam. He emphasized that the arrest was conducted lawfully and that further legal procedures are underway.

Before the official police statement, CHADEMA’s Northern Zone Chairman, Advocate Samwel Welwel, had expressed concern that the manner in which Temba was taken mirrored previous cases where opposition leaders were abducted and never resurfaced.

According to CHADEMA officials, Temba was being trailed by men in plain clothes driving a private vehicle. When they attempted to arrest him, he fled into a nearby bank but was eventually caught and forced into the vehicle.

“We have videos of the incident,” said Welwel. “The way he was taken does not suggest they wanted to bring him before a court of law—it looks like an abduction.”

The Police, however, have warned against spreading unverified information on social media, stressing that such reports could cause unnecessary panic among the public.

General Election Campaigns: More Parties Launch Presidential Rallies Over the Weekend

The race for Tanzania’s presidency gained momentum over the weekend as several political parties officially kicked off their election campaigns, following the nationwide launch on August 28, 2025.

On Saturday, August 30, Chama Cha Kijamii (CCK) opened its presidential campaign in Dar es Salaam at Kwa Tesha grounds in Mbagala. The party’s presidential candidate, David Mwaijojele, addressed supporters and unveiled his campaign agenda.

On Sunday, August 31, the Civic United Front (CUF) held its official campaign launch at Furahisha grounds in Mwanza. Its presidential candidate, Gombo Samandito Gombo, presented the party’s manifesto, highlighting key priorities such as free education.

The same day, the CHAUMMA party inaugurated its campaign at Biafra grounds in Dar es Salaam, led by its presidential flagbearer, Salum Mwalimu.

Earlier, other parties including ADC, SAU, and the ruling CCM had launched their campaigns on August 28 in Dar es Salaam. CCM’s presidential candidate has since taken the campaign trail to Morogoro and is currently in Dodoma.

Campaign activities continue this week, with more parties expected to launch. Among them is NLD, which has announced it will kick off its campaign today in Dar es Salaam’s Ubungo constituency.

Op-Ed: Tanzania’s 2025 General Election: The Curtain Rises, But Where Is the Contest?

August 28, 2025, marked the official launch of Tanzania’s general election campaign season. As expected, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kicked off with its characteristic grandeur, holding a large-scale rally in Dar es Salaam. 

Roads were closed, buses transported thousands of supporters to the venue, and helicopters flew overhead to add to the atmosphere. The event underscored CCM’s immense resources and deep political machinery. But what it lacked was the essential feature of any democratic campaign: a peer competitor.

Seventeen presidential candidates have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yet, ask the average Tanzanian to name more than one, and most will likely mention only the incumbent, President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The others remain largely unknown or politically insignificant – an unsettling reflection of the state of electoral competition in the country.

Tanzania’s leading opposition party, CHADEMA, announced earlier this year that it would block the election altogether, citing an uneven playing field and calling for electoral reforms. Its firebrand leader, Tundu Lissu, once hailed as the most formidable challenger to CCM’s dominance, is now behind bars facing treason charges – allegations that carry the risk of capital punishment.

Meanwhile, ACT-Wazalendo, which had shown signs of emerging as an alternative force, faced its own blow. Its presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, a recent defector from CCM, was disqualified by the Registrar of Political Parties.

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