Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
CCM and ACT-Wazalendo Conclude Zanzibar Election Campaigns
Zanzibar’s two main rival parties, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and ACT-Wazalendo, wrapped up their campaigns on Sunday, October 26, 2025, ahead of the general elections scheduled for October 28 and 29. Early voting will take place on October 28, while the main voting day is set for October 29, 2025.
The two parties, which are partners in the Government of National Unity, have run intense campaigns featuring a close contest between incumbent President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi of CCM and Othman Masoud Othman, the First Vice President and ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate.
CCM, led by Dr. Mwinyi, concluded its final rally at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Mjini Magharibi, while ACT-Wazalendo held its closing event at Kibanda Maiti grounds in the same region.
In his final address, Dr. Mwinyi, seeking a second term, reaffirmed his party’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the islands. He pledged to continue strengthening Zanzibar’s economy through infrastructure development and the improvement of social services such as education and healthcare.
Meanwhile, ACT-Wazalendo’s candidate Othman Masoud, who was appointed First Vice President in 2021 following the death of the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the party’s founding chairman, promised reforms centered on good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and economic empowerment of citizens, especially workers. He also vowed to enhance Zanzibar’s role within the United Republic of Tanzania.
Masoud commended the security agencies for ensuring that the campaign period remained largely peaceful and free of major incidents.
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Tanzania Police Urge Citizens to Turn Out and Vote, Assure Maximum Security
The Tanzania Police Force has urged citizens across the country to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, assuring the public that all necessary security measures have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful election.
Speaking on Sunday, October 25, 2025, Police Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime said the day marks an important moment for the nation, as Tanzanians will exercise their constitutional right to vote for leaders at the presidential, parliamentary, and councilors.
“Through this statement, the Police Force would like to assure all citizens and foreign visitors in the country that the security situation remains calm and stable. There is no security threat that could disrupt the election process,” said DCP Misime.
He emphasized that the Police are fully prepared to take firm action, in accordance with the law, against any individual or group that attempts, deliberately or otherwise, to violate the law or disturb public peace on election day or in its aftermath.
The spokesperson’s remarks follow a series of public statements issued by regional police commanders across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, reaffirming that the Force is well-prepared to ensure peace and stability during the election. Police have also been conducting public demonstrations of their newly acquired modern equipment and joint drills with other security agencies as part of their preparedness efforts.
These developments come amid calls circulating on social media encouraging citizens to take to the streets on October 29, 2025, to demand changes in the electoral system and protest alleged violations of civil rights and incidents of abduction.
“Anyone who dares to break the law should not complain about the consequences. Adequate civic education and warnings have been issued for a long time,” DCP Misime warned.
Beyond Fortresses: Charting a New Path for Conservation in Tanzania
For Moses Oleshengay, a 77-year-old Maasai elder from Endulen, history is repeating itself with tragic familiarity. In 1959, as a young man, he was forcibly relocated from the newly established Serengeti National Park.
He and his community were promised a permanent home in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Today, he faces the same threat of eviction from the land that was meant to be his last refuge.
“I recently returned to where my old home was,” recounts Moses. “I didn’t stay long. When the rangers realised I was Maasai—even though I had a regular tourist ticket—they firmly asked me to leave.”
His current reality in Ngorongoro reflects the systematic pressure being applied to him. “Pastoralism is under attack,” he says. “Farming is banned. Schools lack teachers and hospitals lack doctors. Services have been removed. Roads are impassable. Livestock are starving.”
His story is a living testament to a decades-long conflict between a state-driven conservation model and the indigenous communities who have co-existed with wildlife for centuries.
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Bank of Tanzania Injects USD 15 Million into Interbank Foreign Exchange Market
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has sold USD 15 million in the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM) as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain liquidity and stability in the foreign exchange market.
According to the Bank’s announcement, the auction was conducted under the Foreign Exchange Intervention Policy, 2023, at a weighted average rate of TZS 2,471.73 per USD. A total of 26 banks participated in the auction, with 14 banks successfully securing allocations.
The tender attracted bids amounting to USD 34.75 million, while the accepted range of bids fell between TZS 2,470.00 and TZS 2,472.00 per USD.
BoT said the intervention aims to enhance liquidity and ensure smooth functioning of the foreign exchange market.
Since October last year, Tanzania has recorded a significant improvement in dollar liquidity, attributed to the monetary and fiscal measures implemented by the authorities.
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