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

WHO Africa Regional Director Race Heats Up: Prof. Janabi of Tanzania Among Five Candidates

The Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital, a renowned cardiologist and health expert, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has been officially announced as a candidate for the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa.

According to the WHO Africa regional website, five candidates nominated by their respective countries are competing for the position, which became vacant following the passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, the former WHO Regional Director-elect for Africa and former Tanzanian Minister of Health, who passed away on November 27, 2024.

Apart from Dr. Janabi, who is the only candidate from Southern Africa, the other contenders are: Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao from Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Dramé Mohammed Lamine from Guinea, Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo from Niger and Prof. Mijiyawa Moustafa from Togo.

Prof. Janabi, who also serves as a Senior Advisor on Health Matters to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was officially announced by President Samia that he will represent Tanzania in the race on December 10, 2024.

According to the WHO appointment process, any Member State of the African region may propose a candidate for the post of Regional Director. The nomination is conducted by secret ballot during a private meeting of the Regional Committee session, scheduled to take place on May 18, 2025, in Geneva.

Following the Regional Committee meeting, the nominated Regional Director will be officially appointed by the WHO Executive Board, based on the nomination made by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. 

The WHO Regional Director serves a five-year term, with the possibility of one reappointment.

Othman Masoud Speaks on Being Barred from Entering Angola, Questions Critics Who Claim He Didn’t Follow Protocols

The First Vice President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the ACT Wazalendo party, Othman Masoud Othman, has clarified that all necessary protocols were followed for his trip to Angola, where he was scheduled to attend the Platform for African Democrats (PAD) Forum from March 15 to March 16, 2025. 

Othman, along with other political leaders from various countries, including former presidents, was denied entry at Angola’s airport. Following the incident, ACT Wazalendo urged the government to take action regarding the matter.

“All government protocols were adhered to. For a Vice President to travel abroad, approval from the President of Zanzibar is required,” Othman stated. “Usually, when senior government officials travel internationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national security agencies make prior arrangements with the host country. This process was followed in my case.”

Othman expressed surprise at remarks made by CCM Vice Chairman Stephan Wasira and CCM Zanzibar’s Publicity Secretary Khamis Mbeto, who questioned his situation after he and other political leaders were barred from entering Angola.

“As a government official, I followed all proper procedures for international travel. Those trying to mislead the public are tarnishing their own government’s reputation by implying that a senior official traveled abroad without the government’s knowledge,” he emphasized.

While in Songwe Region on Friday, Wasira dismissed complaints from ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA leaders about Tanzania’s silence on the incident.

“They are complaining about why the government has remained silent, do we control Angola’s airport? Angola’s airport is managed by Angolans, and perhaps they had security concerns. If they had been harmed, would we then claim they were innocent victims?” said Wasira.

Othman and other political leaders were traveling to Angola to participate in the PAD Forum, an event organized by The Brenthurst Foundation. The forum aimed to bring together political stakeholders from across Africa to discuss democracy and exchange experiences.

A Rotten Crown and a Waking People: A Story by Dr Nasra Nassor

Once upon a time, in the vast and vibrant continent of Nyasanda, there were many kingdoms; some rich, some poor, and some simply lost in confusion. Each had its own peculiar way of running things, but one thing bound them all together: the magnificent art of avoiding responsibility.

There was the Kingdom of Mbwembwe, where leaders came to power promising free cows and endless feasts, only to later declare that cows were a “national security threat.” Then there was the Republic of Dandora, where elections were held, but somehow, the same faces always won… even when the people swore they had voted for someone else. And let’s not forget the Sultanate of Kwavinja, where leaders built golden palaces while their citizens mastered the fine art of eating wind.

Nyasanda was a continent of contradictions, where leaders preached unity but practiced exclusion, where wealth was hoarded while the streets overflowed with hunger, and where the voices of the people were drowned out by the deafening roar of power. But amidst this chaos, there were those who still believed in something greater.

Continue reading the Op-ED 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 .