Category: The Citizen

Dodoma. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has nullified 10 wards and relocated 292 polling stations as part of administrative boundary adjustments announced by the government earlier this month.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, October 12, 2025 by INEC Chairperson Justice Jacobs Mwambegele, the decision follows the abolition of several areas previously hosting polling stations, leading to the reassignment of voters to new locations. Justice Mwambegele said the commission’s move aligns with Government Notice No.

596 of October 3, 2025, in which the Minister for Home Affairs declared Ulyankulu in Kaliua District (Tabora Region), Katumba in Mpanda District (Katavi Region) and Mishamo in Tanganyika District (Katavi Region) as designated refugee settlements. He further noted that under Government Notice No.

600 of October 3, 2025, the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) announced administrative boundary changes that abolished the wards of Litapunga, Kanoge, Katumba, Mishamo, Ilangu, Bulamata, and Ipwaga, as well as Milambo, Igombenkulu, and Kanindo. As a result, seven councillor candidates from the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) who had been nominated to contest in the affected wards have been disqualified from the October elections.

Those disqualified are Elius Elia (Katumba), Salehe Msompola (Kanoge), Mohamed Asenga (Litapunga), Nicas Nibengo (Bulamata), Sadick Mathew (Ilangu), Rehan Sekota (Ipwaga), and Juma Kansimba (Mishamo). Justice Mwambegele said the commission reached the decision during its meeting on October 6, 2025, after reviewing the government notices, and subsequently issued official resolutions through Government Notice No.

604 of October 10, 2025. “The commission has formally nullified the 10 abolished wards from the list of electoral areas for the 2025 councillor elections and revoked the nominations of seven candidates who had been selected in those wards,” he said. He added that for Milambo, Igombenkulu, and Kanindo wards in Kaliua District, no election processes had yet been conducted.

Justice Mwambegele also said INEC, in consultation with local government authorities, has established new polling centres near the areas where voters were relocated. The number of new centres matches the 292 polling stations that were nullified to ensure that all eligible voters can access polling stations conveniently.

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Yaounde. Cameroonians were set to vote on Sunday in a presidential election where incumbent Paul Biya, the world’s oldest ruler at 92, is widely expected to maintain his 43-year grip on power despite an energized opposition pushing for change.

Biya’s opponents include former government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma, 76, who has drawn large crowds demanding an end to the veteran leader’s long tenure. Tchiroma’s bid has drawn endorsements from a platform of some opposition parties and civic groups.

However, analysts say that Biya, in power since 1982, is likely to be re-elected given his firm control of state machinery and the fragmented nature of the opposition. DECADES OF ECONOMIC STAGNATION His critics are still hoping he can be ousted after decades of economic stagnation and tensions in the Central African nation of 30 million people, an oil and cocoa producer.

In the Briqueterie neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde, driver Hassane Djbril said he hoped the election would bring change. “For 43 years, Cameroonians have been suffering.

There are no jobs,” said Djbril, who plans to vote for Tchiroma. “We want change because the current government is dictatorial.

” Biya’s government has always denied this, saying Cameroon is a democratic country with regular free elections. Voting starts at 0700 GMT and ends at 1700 GMT, with results expected within 15 days.

Biya abolished term limits in 2008 and has long deployed divide-and-rule tactics. The single-round electoral system gives victory to the candidate with a simple majority.

“A surprise is still possible, but a divided opposition and the backing of a formidable electoral machine will, we predict, give the 92-year-old his eighth term,” said Francois Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics. “Biya has remained in power for nearly 43 years by deftly dividing his adversaries, and, although we think he isn’t very aware of what is going on, it seems that the machine he built will divide to rule one last time,” Conradie added in a note.

BIYA’S SLOGAN IS ‘GREATNESS AND HOPE’ Under the slogan “Greatness and Hope,” Biya has held just one campaign rally in the northern city of Maroua, relying on tightly controlled state media and posts on social media, while his team promises more economic development. “For me, things have only gotten worse.

Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed,” said Herves Mitterand, a mechanic in the commercial capital, Douala.

“We want to see that change, we want to see it actually happen. We don’t want to just keep hearing words anymore.

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Antananarivo. Madagascar’s prime minister called for calm and unity on Saturday, hours after some soldiers joined youth protesters, escorting them as they entered Antananarivo’s May 13 Square for the first time since demonstrations began last month.

The protests, inspired by Gen Z-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages but have since escalated, posing the most serious challenge to President Andry Rajoelina’s rule since his reelection in 2023. Earlier on Saturday, some troops from the elite CAPSAT unit that helped Rajoelina seize power in a 2009 coup urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and back the youth-led protests. PM SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL LISTEN Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, speaking on the state-run TVM channel late on Saturday, said the government was “fully ready to listen and engage in dialogue with all factions – youth, unions, or the military.

” Rajoelina appointed Zafisambo and a new defence and security minister after dissolving the previous government last week in response to the protests. But the moves have failed to assuage public anger.

Videos circulating on social media on Saturday showed CAPSAT soldiers urging fellow troops to “support the people.” A video broadcast by local media showed that dozens of soldiers left the barracks to escort thousands of protesters into May 13 Square, the scene of many political uprisings, which had been heavily guarded and off limits during the unrest.

The army’s chief of staff, General Jocelyn Rakotoson, later made a statement broadcast on local media urging citizens to “assist the security forces in restoring order through dialogue.” The demonstrators are demanding that Rajoelina step down, apologise to the country, and dissolve the Senate and electoral commission.

Late on Saturday, the presidency released a statement in response to what it called “the spread of false information on social media,” following widespread speculation that Rajoelina, who also has French citizenship, had fled the country. In the capital Yaounde, presidential candidate Cabral Libii drew cheering crowds.

“It is hereby made known to everyone that the President of the Republic is in the country and is overseeing the management of national affairs together with the Prime Minister, head of government,” the statement said. At least 22 people have been killed and 100 injured in the unrest, according to the United Nations.

The Malagasy government has disputed the figures, with Rajoelina saying this week that 12 people were killed in the protests. .

Unguja. Makini presidential candidate for Zanzibar, Ameir Hassan Ameir, has outlined how he plans to raise funds to pay every Zanzibari Sh50,000 per month, pledging to cut unnecessary government spending, particularly on the President’s convoys, and redirect savings to citizens.

Mr Ameir said that, if elected, he would reduce the number of presidential vehicles to no more than six, arguing that curbing excessive expenditure would help channel more resources towards the welfare of the people. Alongside fiscal discipline, his party has identified nine key sectors to strengthen and expand revenue collection, targeting monthly government income of at least Sh1.7 trillion.

He made the remarks on Sunday, October 12, 2025, while briefing journalists on his campaign progress and addressing growing questions on how he intends to fund the proposed monthly payment to every citizen. “For each month, we will ensure we collect Sh1.7 trillion.

With Zanzibar’s population estimated at two million, allocating Sh50,000 per person would cost about Sh1 trillion, leaving Sh700 billion for government development projects,” said Mr Ameir. However, according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Zanzibar’s population stands at 1,889,773. Mr Ameir said his administration would channel a larger portion of government revenue directly to citizens rather than spending it on government operations, saying the people are the rightful owners of the country and its resources.

He listed nine key sectors to be prioritised: tourism, fisheries, organic agriculture, education and skills development, economic infrastructure, and the development of small and medium industries. Others are attracting both local and foreign investment, strengthening good governance and anti-corruption measures, and expanding digital systems.

“We will bring change through action, not words. We’ll introduce strict new laws, embezzlement of public funds will be treated as treason, punishable by a minimum of 15 years in prison and full asset forfeiture.

Any leaders convicted will be permanently barred from holding public office,” he said. Expounding on his plans, Mr Ameir said the tourism sector would be diversified to include cultural, ecological, and historical tourism instead of relying heavily on beach tourism, which currently dominates the industry.

“We will improve hotel services, transport, and tourist safety while investing in new markets across Asia, the Middle East, and within Africa,” he said. On fisheries, he pledged to invest in modern fishing equipment and deep-sea fishing, as well as adding value to fish products through processing and packaging.

In education and skills development, Mr Ameir said his government would focus on equipping youth with marketable skills in technology, business, and entrepreneurship, alongside expanding vocational training institutions. He also pledged to improve economic infrastructure, including roads, electricity, clean and safe water, ports, and communication networks.

Mr Ameir further promised to enhance the investment climate by reducing bureaucracy, increasing transparency, and providing incentives such as affordable loans for local investors. On governance and anti-corruption, he vowed to ensure proper management of resources and accountability across both public and private sectors.

He also announced plans to introduce digital cards to monitor government revenue and deliver public services transparently, including for vehicle parking and public toilets. Assessing his campaign so far, Mr Ameir said he had received strong support from Zanzibaris and expressed confidence that he would defeat the ten other presidential candidates.

“What gives us confidence is the way we conduct our campaign. We go to the people where they are instead of ferrying supporters from other areas.

Our policies, especially the Sh50,000 monthly payment–have been warmly received,” he said. Makini Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Fahmi Khalfan Abdalla, said that while every party has its own priorities, Makini’s agenda has resonated strongly with voters, giving them confidence that the party will win and form the next government.

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Rombo. Students at Mashati Secondary School in Rombo, Kilimanjaro, have developed a digital voting system designed to simplify the election process for citizens.

The innovation was created by students in Forms Five and Six, using knowledge gained from Computer Science classes to demonstrate creativity and technological skills. During the school’s 16th Form Four graduation ceremony on 11 October 2025, Form Six student Eliabu Japhet said the idea was inspired by a desire to contribute to national development through technology.

“We used the skills we have learnt in class to build a website and an online voting system, showing how technology can simplify elections. With this being a general election year, we created a model for digital voting,” Japhet said.

He explained that the system mirrors the principles of the National Electoral Commission (INEC), displaying presidential candidates and allowing voters to select their preferred choice. “The system securely records votes, and each voter receives a digital receipt as proof of participation, which remains private,” he added.

The Commissioner of Conservation at the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Prof Dos Santos Silayo, praised the students for their innovation and boldness in applying school knowledge to practical solutions. “Congratulations on this impressive innovation.

You have shown how ICT education can provide solutions to societal challenges. Keep refining this idea, as it could bring great benefits in the future,” Prof Silayo said.

Meanwhile, the school’s headteacher, Emmanuel Mrosso, said the project highlights the importance of ICT education in solving social challenges through youth-driven innovations. “Our students have shown that education is not just theoretical; it can create positive change in society.

We are proud to see our young people being innovative and using technology for the public good,” Mr Mrosso said. .

By Badru Juma Rajabu As Tanzania prepares for future elections, its greatest hope — and responsibility — lies in the hands of its young people. According to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, over 60 percent of Tanzanians are under 35 years old.

That makes youth not just the largest voting bloc, but the living heartbeat of the nation’s stability. Every electoral season tests unity.

It is a moment when emotions rise, loyalties harden, and the country’s democratic maturity is put to the test. Yet, amid all this, the Tanzanian youth stand uniquely placed — as peacebuilders, mediators, and defenders of national harmony.

From the UN to the AU: Frameworks that recognise youth power Global and continental institutions have long recognised that peace cannot be sustained without the inclusion of youth. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) was the first to formally acknowledge young people’s vital role in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.

Later resolutions — 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) — deepened this call, urging member states to give youth a voice in decision-making and peace processes. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security echo this vision, stressing that Africa’s demographic dividend will only bear fruit if youth are fully empowered.

Similarly, the East African Community (EAC) encourages civic education and regional cooperation to promote peaceful, issue-based politics across its member states. The UNDP SELECT Project (2023) reinforces this approach, showing that youth participation in elections must go beyond voter turnout — to roles as educators, observers, and advocates for non-violence.

Tanzania’s youth: The custodians of peaceful elections Tanzania’s history of peace did not happen by accident. It was cultivated — through deliberate civic education, interfaith dialogue, and youth engagement.

Today, young artists, social media influencers, and student networks across the country lead campaigns against hate speech and fake news. Yet the African Union’s “Youth Perspectives on the New Agenda for Peace” reminds us that in Eastern Africa, mistrust between citizens and institutions, unemployment, and manipulation of young voices remain real risks.

At the same time, the report insists that young people are the “backbone of preventive diplomacy” — especially in the digital age, where online spaces can spread peace or fuel division. For Tanzania, this means equipping young citizens with digital peace literacy — the ability to use online platforms responsibly to promote tolerance and truth during election seasons.

Why youth must lead the peace agenda 1. Demographic power and moral duty: With most voters under 35, the tone of Tanzania’s elections will reflect the behaviour of its youth.

Their actions online and offline will decide whether politics divides or unites. 2.

Agents of creativity and prevention: UNDP research shows that youth innovate in peacebuilding — using theatre, radio, street art, and social media to inspire non-violence and dialogue. 3.

Guardians of intergenerational equity: Today’s youth safeguard the peace that future generations will inherit. Their civic participation is an investment in tomorrow’s stability.

4. Rebuilding trust in institutions: Declining trust in political institutions is a global concern.

Youth-led election monitoring and transparency campaigns can rebuild confidence in Tanzania’s democratic system. Turning vision into action For peace to endure, Tanzania must translate good intentions into structured policy and practice: Adopt a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, in line with AU and UN frameworks.

Fund youth-led peace networks and civic education programs, particularly in rural districts.Harness digital media for peace messaging and countering misinformation.

Empower political party youth wings to be centres of ethical leadership and non-violence.Strengthen regional partnerships with the EAC and AU Youth for Peace initiatives to share experiences and build capacity.

A peaceful legacy, one generation at a time Peaceful elections are not simply the absence of violence; they are the presence of justice, trust, and participation. As both the UNDP (2023) and African Union (2024) reports affirm, young people must be included at every stage of the electoral cycle — before, during, and after voting.

Tanzania’s youth are not just witnesses to democracy; they are its architects. By embracing dialogue over division and hope over hostility, they can ensure that every election strengthens — rather than strains — the nation’s unity.

“Sustaining peace begins with the courage of young citizens who choose ballots over bullets, truth over tension, and dialogue over division.” References UNDP (2023): Youth Participation to Sustain Peace during Electoral Processes (SELECT Project).

African Union (2024): African Youth Perspectives on the New Agenda for Peace. United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), 2535 (2020).

United Republic of Tanzania (2022): National Population and Housing Census. East African Community (2023): Youth, Peace and Security Framework.

Badru Juma Rajabu is Deputy Secretary-General, ICGLR Regional Youth Forum .

Arusha. A 30-year-old police officer, Omary Mnandi, a resident of Arusha City, was brutally killed after being struck on the head with a blunt object in what is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity on the night of October 11, 2025. The incident occurred at around 11 p.

m. at Simaloi Bar in the Kaloleni area of Arusha, where five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Arusha Regional Police Commander, SACP Justine Masejo, said preliminary investigations indicate that the incident happened after the late Mnandi, who was reportedly intoxicated, mistakenly entered a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects instead of his own. “The deceased, who was driving a car with registration number T 402 CNC, entered another vehicle, registration number T 734 AXR, and fell asleep inside.

Upon finding him there, the suspects attacked him, inflicting fatal head injuries,” SACP Masejo said. He said that five suspects have been detained for questioning as investigations continue before further legal action is taken.

“The Arusha Regional Police Force is finalising its investigation into this incident to ensure the suspects face justice,” he said. The body of the deceased has been preserved at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital pending burial arrangements.

Witnesses at the scene said Mnandi had been drinking with two fellow police officers at the bar before the tragic incident occurred. One witness, Richard Levina, said the three arrived earlier in the evening and were enjoying alcoholic drinks when Mnandi, feeling tired, decided to rest in his car.

“Unfortunately, he mistakenly opened and entered another vehicle parked nearby, believing it was his own,” Levina said. He said that when the car owners returned and found an unfamiliar man sleeping inside, they panicked and attacked him with a metal object, assuming he was a robber.

“The blows caused severe head injuries that led to his instant death,” Levina said. According to further reports, the late Officer Mnandi was living in the police housing quarters in the Fire area of Arusha and was scheduled to be transported to Tanga, his birthplace, for burial on October 12, 2025. .

Geita/Shinyanga. In the mineral-rich heartlands of Geita and Shinyanga, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential candidate, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged a new chapter for small-scale miners, promising to deepen reforms that have already transformed lives in the mining sector.

Addressing a rally in Bukombe District, Geita Region, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, President Hassan reminded residents of how far they had come since the government decided to formalise small-scale mining and grant licences to locals. “Young people here in Bukombe used to sneak into the Kigosi forest to mine gold illegally,” she said.

“But since God placed these minerals in your land, it is only fair that you benefit from them. I instructed Ministers Biteko and Mavunde to issue licences so that my sons and daughters could mine legally and earn from their resources,” she said, noting: “That is exactly what has happened, and now both youth and women are expanding their economic opportunities through mining with most of you becoming bilionaires.

” The President said if elected her government will strengthen geological research to identify new mineral zones, noting that only 16 percent of Tanzania’s mineral-rich land has been surveyed so far. “We have made Mbogwe a recognised mining district because of its immense potential.

When you re-elect us, we shall invest in research to discover more sites, enabling more young people to engage in mining and contribute to our national income,” she said in Mbogwe District. She added that alongside mining development, her government will continue improving essential social services such as clean water, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Currently, she said, 86 percent of Mbogwe residents have access to clean and safe water. Government’s commitment to miners The Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, praised President Hassan’s directive that led to the issuance of 7,977 licences to small-scale miners, including women in Bukombe.

“Before her leadership, many miners operated in hiding,” Mavunde said. “But under her instructions, no one was left behind.

We have distributed licences to all, and we have also procured drilling machines worth Sh9 billion, 15 in total, deployed across the country, with one sent here to Bukombe.” He added that previously, Bukombe lacked mineral markets and buying centres, forcing miners to travel long distances to sell their gold.

“Following her directive, we established two official markets and three buying centres, bringing services closer to the people. Miners now sell their minerals freely and safely,” Mavunde noted.

Voices from the ground A 33-year-old small-scale miner from Ushirombo, Mr Dotto Msenye, said life has changed drastically since licences were issued. “Before, we worked in fear of being arrested,” he said.

“Now we operate legally. I can support my family, and I’ve even built a house from my earnings.

The President’s reforms have restored dignity to our work.” Similarly, Ms Saida Mwita, a mother of three who runs a small processing centre, said legalisation has empowered women.

“We are now part of the mining economy,” she said. “Women can own licences and trade openly.

The income has helped us send our children to school and expand our businesses.” Bukombe MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Doto Biteko, said President Hassan’s leadership has turned Bukombe into a vibrant mining hub.

“In the past, people used to mine in fear,” he said. “Today, our people dig gold confidently and earn decent incomes.

You have worked miracles here, and we in Bukombe have decided–we’re moving forward with you.” He insisted: “Bukombe is now a mining powerhouse” Rounding off her campaign in Kahama, Shinyanga Region, on October 11, 2025, President Hassan emphasised the next plan to modernise the sector using advanced exploration technology.

“We will continue empowering small miners by giving them modern drilling machines and using aerial technology to map and identify new mineral deposits,” she said. “We cannot ignore large investors, but our top priority remains small-scale miners.

” Industry leaders back Samia The president of the Federation of Miners Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA), Mr John Bina, lauded President Hassan’s commitment to the sector, which employs an estimated six million Tanzanians. “President Samia is the choice of miners because she respects and empowers us,” he said.

“She has provided equipment through STAMICO, created an enabling business environment, and ensured that both local and foreign investors thrive. If the current pace continues, the mining sector could soon contribute over 30 percent to the national GDP.

” As she concluded her speech, cheers erupted across the rally grounds, with miners waving placards reading Mama wa Dhahabu Yetu (Mother of Our Gold). .

Dar es Salaam. There is renewed hope for smoother commuting in the city as Phase II of the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has officially begun passenger trials along the MbagalaKilwa corridor.

Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa confirmed yesterday that the trial runs, conducted by Mofat Company, started two days ago and have now advanced to include passengers. “The trials began the day before yesterday and yesterday the buses operated without passengers.

Today, Sunday, they have started carrying passengers. We will continue in this phase while gradually increasing the number of buses on the route,” said Mr Msigwa.

The second phase of the BRT will involve 250 buses operated by Mofat Company, which has been awarded a 12-year contract to provide services on the corridor. All the buses will be powered by natural gas, in line with the government’s commitment to promoting cleaner and more sustainable public transport.

The launch of the Mbagala route marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to ease congestion and improve commuting efficiency for thousands of Dar es Salaam residents. Officials say the new BRT phase is expected to cut travel time between Mbagala and the city centre, offering a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional public transport.

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Unguja. The Zanzibar presidential candidate for CCM, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has pledged support for fishermen, seaweed, and rice farmers by providing modern tools to boost production.

He made the remarks on Saturday, October 11, 2025, while addressing groups of seaweed farmers, rice farmers, and fishermen in Marumbi and Cheju wards in Chwaka Constituency, South Unguja, as part of the party’s ongoing campaign rallies. Speaking on rice farming, Dr Mwinyi said that alongside promoting modern agriculture, the government would provide fertiliser, seeds, and pesticides to increase productivity.

“Although rice is not our main staple, ugali is (maize), we still produce too little and rely on imports. It’s true we cannot fully satisfy demand, but we aim to ensure sufficient food supply,” said Dr Mwinyi.

He added that once farmers are empowered and rice production rises for both consumption and trade, the government would purchase the rice, so farmers need not worry about market access. Rice farmer Haji Salum said that in the Cheju valley, 680 hectares are cultivated by 6,000 farmers using modern infrastructure.

However, he noted that output remains low and much of the land is deteriorating. On seaweed farming, the ruling party’s candidate highlighted that Zanzibar is Africa’s largest producer and stressed the need to prioritise and expand the crop.

“We have discussed pricing. We will offer a fair price of Sh1,000 per kilo, purchase the seaweed ourselves, and establish processing factories,” he said.

He added that mechanisms would be sought to prevent conflicts between seaweed farming, fishing, and tourism, allowing each sector to contribute productively according to its importance. Regarding fishing, Dr Mwinyi said modern equipment would continue to be provided to enable fishermen to operate in deeper waters.

“We need larger boats, modern gear, and legally compliant fishing nets,” he said. Speaking on behalf of seaweed farmers, Ms Fatma Abdulla urged authorities to address their challenges, noting that pricing remains unstable.

“Seaweed is often damaged by water. Prices are still unpredictable.

We request attention and training in proper cultivation,” she said, also complained that some fishermen destroy nets, causing losses. On behalf of fishermen, Foum Ali Foum said they are key stakeholders in marine conservation but do not benefit adequately.

Mr Rashid Amour added that many leaders in the fishing sector act independently rather than following existing laws. “Officials in this sector often act on their own judgment, sidelining regulations, which causes major challenges,” he said.

Another fisherman, Ali Omari, called for formalisation of the marine sector, noting that traditional fishing practices still dominate and marine resources are not fully exploited. He urged a review of outdated fishing laws that restrict entry, the use of proper tools, and swimming gear, creating difficulties for fishermen.

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