Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Samia Concludes Campaign in Zanzibar With Message on Peace and Security, Begins Ruvuma Campaign
The ruling party, presidential candidate, Samia Suluhu Hassan concluded her campaign in Pemba, Zanzibar, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, emphasizing peace and security during the election period.
Samia had been campaigning in Zanzibar, her hometown, since September 17, 2025. On the first day, she held a rally at Makunduchi, where she stressed that “election is not war.” She campaigned there alongside her daughter, Wanu Hafidh, who is contesting the Makunduchi parliamentary seat.
Speaking at the final leg of her Zanzibar campaign at the Gombani ya Kale grounds in Pemba on September 20, 2025, Samia continued to underscore the importance of security ahead of the polls.
“In the past five years, the term we are now concluding, we have worked very hard to maintain political stability, security, and peace within our country, throughout all those five years. You have not heard of whispers of instability; maybe some [road] accidents,” Samia told CCM supporters at a campaign rally.
Read the full article here.
Tanzania Bankers, BoT in New Round of Negotiations Following Release of Draft Cloud Computing Guidelines 2025
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has published the draft Cloud Computing Guidelines for Financial Service Providers, 2025, inviting final comments from bankers. The consultation window closes on December 31, 2025.
The main debate centers on two perspectives: bankers’ interest in leveraging technological developments, particularly affordability and efficiency, and the central bank’s priority of safeguarding the country’s critical financial infrastructure.
In the early consultation matrix prior to the release of the draft guideline, one of the most contentious issues is the definition of mission-critical systems.
“The definition of mission-critical systems is very wide, covering the majority of banking systems. Some of these systems would perform better on the cloud compared to on-premises computing,” stakeholders commented.
While stakeholders proposed reclassifying certain systems to allow cloud adoption, the BoT stood firm, stating:
“The definition of a mission-critical system is comprehensive and well-articulated. It aligns with similar definitions adopted by other SADC member states as well as India and Mauritius.”
The draft guidelines prohibit hosting mission-critical systems on cloud infrastructure located outside Tanzania. A mission-critical system is defined as one essential to the survival of a financial service provider.
Read the full article here.
ACT Wazalendo Mounts Final Legal Challenge to Restore Luhaga Mpina’s Candidacy
The opposition ACT Wazalendo party will pursue two separate High Court hearings on Monday in a bid to restore the electoral eligibility of Luhaga Mpina, whose disqualification has become the focal point of a bitter legal and political battle ahead of Tanzania’s October 29 general election.
The party announced on Sunday that the High Court will hear Constitutional Case No. 20027 of 2025 at 9:00 AM before a three-judge bench, whilst a separate case challenging the Registrar of Political Parties’ decision will continue before a single judge the same day.
The dual legal strategy comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disqualified Mpina for a second time on September 15, removing him from the ballot just two days after formally nominating him in compliance with an earlier High Court order.
Read the full article here.
Chief Justice Masaju Calls for Proper Treatment of Accused in Prisons
anzania’s Chief Justice has told prison officials to avoid treating accused persons as convicted criminals, emphasising the presumption of innocence during a meeting with senior prison service officials.
Chief Justice George Masaju made the remarks during a September 19, 2025 meeting with prison officials in Dodoma, according to a statement released by the judiciary on September 21. He said courts and accused persons must receive complete evidence in cases to enable proper defence.
“It is not enough to give someone the right to be heard if they do not have information about the charges and evidence against them. They may be given the right to be heard, but it becomes undermined in some way,” Masaju said, according to the statement.
The Chief Justice said some people are treated as criminals before being found guilty, contrary to constitutional provisions that presume innocence until proven guilty in criminal cases.
The meeting addressed various issues affecting cooperation between the judiciary and prison service. Masaju also called for continued collaboration to resolve challenges he identified during a visit to Isanga Prison.
Read the full article here.
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