Category: The Citizen

Beijing. China said on Friday it was open to dialogue with Lithuania after the Baltic nation’s prime minister described as a “mistake” its 2021 decision to let Taiwan set up a de facto embassy in the capital of Vilnius.

Lithuania had begun taking “small first steps” to restore ties, Inga Ruginiene, who became prime minister last September, told Baltic News Service on Tuesday. “The door for communication between China and Lithuania remains open,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, told a regular news conference.

“We hope Lithuania will translate its willingness to improve bilateral relations into concrete actions, and promptly rectify its error,” he said. China downgraded relations with Lithuania in late 2021 after the nation of 2.

9 million let Taiwan open a “Taiwanese” representative office on its soil. Beijing views Taiwan as a Chinese province with no right to set up such offices in countries with which China has formal ties.

In contrast to Lithuania, countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States host offices that are usually known as “Taipei” representative offices, which avoids the implication of statehood and sovereignty. Since the breakdown, Lithuania has recalled its ambassador in China and other diplomats.

In late 2024, it expelled three Chinese diplomats in the country’s Office of the Charge d’Affaires. Last year, China banned Lithuanian banks UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas from transactions and cooperation with domestic organisations and individuals.

“I think Lithuania really jumped in front of a train and lost,” Ruginiene told the news service in an interview. Taiwan and Lithuania are important partners with shared values of freedom and democracy, and both sides agreed the name of the office, the foreign ministry in Taipei said on Thursday.

“Since the office was established, Taiwan and the Lithuanian government have continued to promote mutually beneficial, substantive cooperation,” it said. Taiwan would keep up close coordination and communication to deepen ties with Lithuania, it added.

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Arusha. The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has successfully registered 408 Tanzanian companies in the system of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), allowing these firms to export agricultural produce to the Chinese market.

The Chinese market is among the largest and most competitive in the world, where the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and the government of the People’s Republic of China, coordinated the registration of these companies. Addressing journalists on Friday, February 6, 2026, the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) director, Prof Joseph Ndunguru, said the registration is a major step for the country and will help increase the value of agricultural produce, boost foreign trade, and strengthen the economy.

He said the companies must comply with plant health requirements, proper use of pesticides, monitoring and inspection procedures before exporting products. “This registration is part of implementing the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and trade agreements between the two countries, aimed at ensuring exported produce meets the plant health, quality and food safety standards demanded by the Chinese market,” said Prof Ndunguru.

He added that the authority will continue regular inspections and monitoring to ensure compliance with national and international standards. “I call on all stakeholders to continue cooperating and adhering to existing laws, regulations and guidelines to ensure Tanzania fully benefits from Chinese market opportunities.

This will increase agricultural exports, boost farmers’ incomes, and contribute to national revenue,” he said. Prof Ndunguru noted that the authority will continue monitoring and training farmers producing the crops to ensure they meet international market standards and requirements, and avoid pesticide residues.

Earlier, TPHPA manager for market and agricultural products, Dr Mahmoud Sasamalo, listed the produce approved for export, including cocoa, soybeans, avocado, cassava, groundnuts, pepper, cloves, cashew nuts, coffee, peanuts, as well as sunflower and cotton seeds. He urged traders to follow all legal procedures and warned that violators would face action according to the law.

The authority’s pesticides director, Dr Osaingi Shila, said they are prepared to continue providing guidance and services, noting that border points will have small laboratories conducting preliminary tests to allow cargo to enter and exit without delays. .

Dar es Salaam. The CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two higher learning institutions–the College of Business Education (CBE) and the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA)–aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry to better prepare graduates for the demands of the labour market.

The agreements establish a strategic national framework designed to integrate practical industry experience into academic programmes, enhance student and faculty capacity, and create sustainable platforms for knowledge and experience exchange between business leaders and higher learning institutions. Under the partnerships, expertise from the industrial and business sectors will be embedded into curricula at both institutions, ensuring that graduates acquire market-relevant skills, competencies and professional exposure aligned with the realities of today’s world of work.

Speaking after the signing ceremony at CEOrt offices in Masaki, Dar es Salaam, CEOrt Chairman Mr David Tarimo said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to aligning education with the needs of the business sector, particularly in research, consultancy and human capital development. “Together with IAA and CBE, we have established a strategic framework that strengthens linkages between education and industry, with a focus on producing graduates who are ready to contribute effectively to national development,” said Mr Tarimo.

He noted that CEOrt, whose membership comprises more than 235 private-sector companies, will leverage its collective business experience to analyse challenges within Tanzania’s economic environment and jointly develop practical solutions. “This collaboration will also strengthen research capacity at the two institutions, while giving students hands-on exposure to real market challenges through applied learning,” he said.

Mr Tarimo added that CEOrt is among the largest private-sector employer networks in the country, positioning it well to support the preparation of graduates who meet labour market expectations. The MoUs are guided by shared objectives, including embedding industry experience into academic curricula, building labour-market-relevant skills among students and faculty, and strengthening formal platforms for structured engagement between business leaders and higher learning institutions.

A key pillar of the collaboration is applied research and consultancy, where CEOrt members will contribute their expertise to address pressing business and economic challenges facing Tanzania. “This practice-oriented research approach aims to deliver tangible social and economic impact, while exposing students to real-world problem-solving in leadership and business environments,” Mr Tarimo said.

The agreements also provide for supplementary training and public lecture series, bringing together lecturers, students and professionals from the business and leadership sectors. CEOrt members and alumni of the CEOrt Apprenticeship Programme (CAP) will serve as adjunct lecturers, offering practical insights drawn from industry experience.

The partnerships further emphasise long-term capacity building through leadership development programmes, sustainability training, short courses and experiential learning. At the Institute of Accountancy Arusha, the CEOrt Managers Sustainability Training Programme will be integrated into the curriculum, alongside executive leadership training, consultancy services and leadership boot camps.

Meanwhile, collaboration with the College of Business Education will focus on short courses, industry-led training, and practical learning through field attachments and internships to ensure graduates complete their studies with the skills and mindset required for meaningful participation in the economy. Speaking at the event, the Principal of the Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka, said the partnership would play a critical role in producing competitive professionals and leaders for Tanzania’s business sector.

Prof Robert Mashenene, Deputy Rector of the College of Business Education responsible for Academic, Consultancy and Research, said the agreements would help bridge the gap between theory and practice. “CEOrt brings extensive experience in leadership and business, and this knowledge will greatly benefit our students, many of whom currently learn primarily through classroom theory,” said Prof Mashenene.

“This collaboration will connect them directly with private-sector leaders, enhancing their competitiveness in the labour market and their contribution to the national economy,” he added. .

Dar es Salaam. Efforts to decongest Dar es Salaam Port are set to gain momentum following government plans to upgrade the strategic Nelson Mandela Road, a vital corridor linking the harbour area to Morogoro Road.

Morogoro Road serves as a primary gateway to upcountry regions and neighbouring landlocked countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) has unveiled plans to upgrade Mandela Road from the Kijazi Interchange to the Nyerere (Kigamboni) Bridge, while strengthening access to Dar es Salaam Port.

Under the plan, the road will be expanded to eight lanes: six mixed-traffic lanes — three in each direction, and two dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes, one per direction. Officials say the project will ease chronic congestion that has long delayed the movement of cargo from the port to domestic and regional destinations.

Persistent traffic jams have imposed high social, economic and environmental costs, including lost working hours, longer commuting times and reduced rest for city residents. Prolonged congestion also undermines global efforts to curb pollution, as idling vehicles emit higher levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

According to the March 2025 Traffic Time Index (TTI) report, a trip that should take 30 minutes in Dar es Salaam can stretch to 70 minutes during peak periods. On average, commuters lose about 2.

5 hours daily, nearly three full working days every fortnight. Travel between Kijazi Interchange and Uhasibu in Temeke can take up to two hours instead of the usual 15 minutes in free-flow conditions.

In 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan warned that traffic congestion was costing the country about S billion per day, roughly Sh1.44 trillion annually, through lost productivity, wasted fuel, and environmental damage. Speaking exclusively to The Citizen, Tanroads acting chief executive officer, Mr Ephatar Mlavi, said it was finalising internal procedures and expects to advertise a tender for prospective contractors between late February and March.

Mr Mlavi described Mandela Road as one of Dar es Salaam’s most critical transport arteries. “We expect to sign a contract for the construction of BRT Phase V and the expansion of Mandela Road to three lanes on each side, similar to Morogoro Road,” he said.

Mr Mlavi added that the Morogoro Road section from Ubungo Kijazi to Kimara is now about 80 percent complete, with remaining work focusing on service roads, pedestrian facilities, drainage, and the final asphalt layer. Morogoro Road update He said the expansion of Morogoro Road to eight lanes, including the BRT, is expected to be completed in May, with an official inauguration planned for September.

“Currently, congestion on Morogoro Road is largely caused by reckless driving rather than inadequate capacity,” Mr Mlavi said, urging motorists to observe traffic rules. He noted that the government is investing heavily in modern infrastructure that must be protected by all road users.

According to him, the upgrade from Ubungo to Kimara has significantly reduced travel time, which previously exceeded two hours during rush hour. “The improvement is particularly beneficial to lorries transporting cargo from Dar es Salaam Port to upcountry regions and neighbouring landlocked countries, supporting smoother economic activity,” he said.

Other BRT phases On the progress of other BRT projects, Mr Mlavi said Phase III is about 90 percent complete, while Phase IV has reached 60 percent. BRT Phase III runs from Dar es Salaam Central Business District, covering Kariakoo and Posta to Gongo la Mboto, while Phase IV connects Tegeta to Posta and Ubungo to Mwenge.

He noted that BRT Phases I and II are already operational, with ongoing efforts to improve service quality and reliability. Afcon 2027 Tanzania will co-host the 36th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) alongside Kenya and Uganda in 2027, as Tanzanian authorities are keen to ensure mobility ahead of the tournament.

Stakeholder views Upcountry bus driver Mr Musa Lipembe welcomed the upgrades, saying reduced congestion on Nelson Mandela and Morogoro roads would ease pressure on alternative routes. “This corridor is often dominated by heavy trucks, some of which break down.

With three lanes, other vehicles can overtake more safely, saving time for buses and private motorists,” he said. A private-sector employee, who requested anonymity, said upgrading Mandela Road would transform urban mobility and accelerate economic growth.

“To reach a $1 trillion economy by 2050, Tanzania needs fast and efficient movement of goods. Removing bottlenecks that slow transport is essential to achieving this goal,” he said.

Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) secretary-general, Mr Joseph Priscus, said the completion of works on the Morogoro Road section between Ubungo and Kimara, and the start of construction on Mandela Road, would significantly cut fuel costs that bus operators have been incurring because of congestion and excessive wear on vehicles. He noted that the expansion to eight lanes would also prolong the lifespan of the carriageway, as stationary heavy vehicles in traffic jams create depressions on asphalt, “This is a positive step that will support economic growth.

” Mr Priscus urged the government to prioritise a solution for the ChalinzeMorogoro stretch, which currently has only two lanes and is prone to gridlock and accidents. As Morogoro Road serves as a key corridor for five neighbouring countries, upgrading the Chalinze section is critical to ensuring timely cargo delivery and regional trade.

Officials also expect higher revenues at Dar es Salaam Port, as improved access reduces transport delays and boosts cargo efficiency. The Tanzania Medium and Small Truck Owners Association (Tamstoa) chairman, Mr Chuki Shabaan, welcomed the measures but said a lasting remedy requires full operationalisation of Kwala Dry Port in line with the president’s directives.

He warned that severe bottlenecks along the KibahaMorogoro section have forced some trucks to remain on the road for up to 17 days. .

Dar es Salaam is set to take centre stage in African boxing after it was confirmed that Tanzania will host the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships on April 26, 2026, in a major highlight of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) calendar for the year. The international tournament is expected to attract top amateur boxers from across Zone Three nations, offering Tanzania’s fighters a valuable chance to compete at a high level on home soil while strengthening the country’s profile as a growing destination for elite sports events.

According to the BFT programme for 2026, the Zone Three Championships will be staged in Dar es Salaam, with organisers working closely with the Boxing Council of Tanzania (BMT), the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) and sponsors to ensure the competition meets international standards. For Tanzania, hosting the championship is more than just a prestigious assignment.

It represents a key step in the development of the sport, giving local boxers exposure to tough regional opposition and sharpening their readiness for bigger continental and global assignments later in the year. Africa calendar includes AFBC Championships and Commonwealth Games The Zone Three tournament is one of three major international engagements listed in the federation’s 2026 programme.

Following the Dar es Salaam event in April, Tanzania is expected to take part in the African Boxing Championships, scheduled for May and June 2026 in Zambia. The continental championship will provide another opportunity for Tanzanian boxers to test themselves against Africa’s best while also targeting medals and improved rankings.

Later in the year, the focus will shift beyond the continent when boxing features at the Commonwealth Games, set for July 23 to August 2, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. The Games remain one of the most respected multi sport competitions globally, and participation would offer Tanzanian boxers an invaluable platform to gain experience against world class opponents from across the Commonwealth.

National competitions begin with women’s championships At home, BFT has outlined a busy and structured domestic programme, beginning with the National Women’s Open Championships, scheduled for February 24 to 28, 2026, in Dar es Salaam. The tournament will be an important stage for female boxers to showcase talent, build competitiveness and earn recognition in the national set up.

That event will be followed by the National Open Championships for men and women, set for March 17 to 21, 2026, also in Dar es Salaam. These championships are expected to play a major role in selecting and assessing boxers for national duty as the international season approaches.

The build up to the Zone Three Championships will then continue with a listed competition window running from April 22 to 26, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, aligning with the main hosting date of April 26 and ensuring Tanzania’s boxers remain active and sharp ahead of the regional showpiece. Pro boxing launch and regional tournaments across Tanzania One of the standout moments in the domestic calendar will be the official launch of the BFT Boxing League on May 23. The event is expected to feature a major bout card involving Ngome Boxing Team and JKT Boxing Team, with notable local and international boxers anticipated to participate under a professional boxing style format.

The domestic season will then shift to Dodoma, which will host the National Cup for all regions of Mainland Tanzania from June 9 to 13, an event expected to strengthen regional participation and widen the talent pool. Action will later move to Tanga, where the National Club Champions Championships for men and women will take place from August 26 to 30, 2026. The competition will be followed by the National Youth Open Championships, scheduled for September 8 to 12, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, as BFT continues its focus on developing the next generation of fighters.

The calendar will also take boxing to Butiama, Mara, where the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Cup is set for October 10 to 14, before the year concludes with the Champions of Champions tournament, scheduled for November 25 to 28, in Dar es Salaam. Training, seminars and BFT AGM Beyond the competitions, BFT has also included a series of coaching and refereeing courses throughout the year, aimed at improving technical standards and strengthening the sport’s foundations across the country.

The federation will also hold its Annual General Meeting on June 12, 2026, in Dodoma, bringing together stakeholders to review progress, discuss priorities and set the direction for the future. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s National Physical Addressing System is increasingly recognised as critical infrastructure, supporting business formalisation, boosting e-commerce, enhancing public service delivery, and promoting financial inclusion.

Speaking on behalf of the Postmaster General at the Tanzania Annual Conference on Physical Addressing 2026 and the Postal Technology Show, Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC) acting director of marketing and sales, Ferdinand Kabyamela, said formal addresses are becoming a key entry point into the formal economy for many Tanzanians. “Businesses with verifiable locations can register more easily, build credibility and access banking services, loans and insurance,” he said.

“Financial institutions also rely on accurate address data for customer verification, making the system an important, though often overlooked, driver of financial inclusion,” he added. Mr Kabyamela said postal codes are proving vital for planning, helping authorities allocate resources for schools, health services and infrastructure in line with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050. He noted that standardised addresses are improving efficiency in logistics, allowing delivery firms to plan routes more accurately, reduce delivery times and cut costs.

“For the country’s fast-growing e-commerce sector, reliable addressing enables direct home deliveries, removing one of the biggest barriers to online shopping,” he said. According to Mr Kabyamela, the system is transforming how goods move, how businesses operate, and how citizens access services.

“A reliable addressing system supported by postal codes is now treated as essential national infrastructure, similar to roads, power and telecommunications,” he said. He noted that TPC is integrating the reforms into digital platforms such as the Posta Kiganjani app and the Kipepeo Shop e-commerce platform, both of which depend on verified addresses and postal codes.

Beyond parcel deliveries, accurate addressing strengthens emergency response, enhances security planning, and improves social service delivery, positioning the system as a backbone of modern public services and inclusive economic growth. The initiative also aligns with global postal reforms led by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

At the 28th UPU Congress in Dubai in September 2025, member states adopted the 20262029 Strategic Plan, focusing on service quality, new technologies and greater customer responsiveness across global postal networks. For Tanzania, these commitments are already being implemented.

Meanwhile, East African Communications Organization (EACO) executive director, Caroline Koech, said Tanzania’s progress provides valuable lessons for the region. “Through strong government commitment and collaboration with development partners, the National Physical Addressing initiative has achieved more than 95 per cent nationwide coverage,” she said.

Ms Koech noted that millions of addresses have been integrated into a unified system covering urban and rural areas, showing that complex public digital infrastructure reforms can succeed at scale. “Across the region, we share a simple reality: you cannot deliver services to people you cannot locate,” she said.

“A reliable physical addressing system is no longer a technical convenience; it is essential national infrastructure.” However, she cautioned that postal and addressing reforms must extend beyond national borders.

“Our economies and digital services increasingly operate across borders, yet systems remain fragmented,” she said. “Without interoperability and shared standards, the full value of these investments cannot be realised.

Regional coordination is therefore critical.” .

Zanzibar. The 2026 edition of Sauti za Busara opened on February 5 with a bold shift: music took the lead.

Gone were the long opening speeches that once set the pace. Instead, the festival’s 23rd year began with performances flowing uninterrupted, letting audiences dive straight into a continuous cultural journey.

Running over four days from February 5 to 8, the festival set the tone early for an experience driven primarily by sound, movement and shared energy. While an official opening address was held for journalists, the public-facing programme kept its focus firmly on the stage.

The result was a smoother rhythm that carried audiences from the first note to the final set of the night. Zanzibar’s Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Riziki Pembe, spoke to reporters about the festival and the broader creative landscape.

She urged both local and international investors to respect the islands’ cultural values, highlighting that improved infrastructure has created opportunities for diverse artistic and commercial ventures. “Our leadership has worked to ensure infrastructure that supports investment of all kinds,” Pembe said.

“When it comes to the arts, the environment is ready. What matters is how you design your concept and where you choose to stage it.

” She stressed that Zanzibar welcomes festivals and large-scale events, provided organisers adhere to local artistic standards and cultural norms. “You cannot come here and ignore our traditions.

If you go against our values, including dress codes, action will be taken even during the event. The guidelines are clear and must be followed,” she said.

On the music extravaganza itself, Pembe described the festival as a powerful platform that continues to expand economic opportunities, bringing together artistes, vendors, and entrepreneurs. She noted that the move from Ngome Kongwe to Mnazi Mmoja had significantly enhanced the festival’s reach.

“This is the first time the festival is being held here, and the difference is visible,” she said. “There is more space, better airflow, and wider participation from businesses.

Opportunities that existed before are now larger and more accessible. The location makes it easier for people to join in.

” As tradition demands, the festival’s arrival still took to the streets. A vibrant 45-minute parade, covering roughly 1.

5 kilometres, announced the festival with colour and confidence. Starting at Forodhani Gardens, passing through Malindi and Darajani, and ending at Mnazi Mmoja, the procession filled Stone Town with energy.

Drumbeats echoed through streets, dancers weaved between crowds, and performers engaged directly with onlookers. Phones were raised, balconies filled, and spontaneous dancing broke out along pavements.

For a brief stretch of the evening, the city itself became part of the performance. As night fell, attention shifted to the stage.

Indie artiste Alamokah opened with a relaxed, engaging set that gently eased the crowd into the night, setting a reflective tone. Next, Rajab Suleiman and Kithara delivered an extended performance blending traditional sounds with contemporary arrangements, warming the audience as the night deepened.

The energy reached its peak when Kenyan artist Labdi took the stage. Driven by tight live instrumentation and Afrobeat sebene rhythms, his set transformed the grounds.

Even listeners unfamiliar with the lyrics were carried by the precision of the band and the strength of Labdi’s vocals. The crowd danced freely, guided by rhythm rather than language, a familiar Busara moment that reaffirmed the festival’s core idea, music, at its best, needs no translation.

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Dar es Salaam. About six regions that receive rainfall twice a year, including Dar es Salaam, are expected to experience normal to above-normal rainfall during the upcoming Masika season (MarchAprilMay), raising the risk of flooding and outbreaks of waterborne diseases, weather experts have warned.

Regions likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall include Kagera and Geita, as well as parts of the northern coast such as Tanga and Morogoro. Similar conditions are forecast for the Coast Region and the islands of Mafia, Unguja and Pemba.

The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) director general, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, made the remarks while briefing journalists on the MarchAprilMay (MAM) Masika rainfall outlook, noting that the rains are expected to start in March and continue until May or June 2026. “Periods of excessive moisture and flooding may occur and affect crop growth, particularly in areas expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall,” he said. Dr Chang’a warned that disease outbreaks, especially vector-borne and waterborne diseases, are anticipated as a result of water contamination.

He urged residents in low-lying areas to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of possible flooding and related health risks. The TMA chief also advised farmers, livestock keepers and agricultural extension officers to regularly seek reliable weather and climate information from district and ward authorities to better prepare for seasonal challenges.

In the Lake Victoria basin, covering Mara, Mwanza, Simiyu and Shinyanga regions, rainfall is expected to range from average to slightly below average. In these areas, the rains are forecast to begin in the fourth week of February or early March and end in May.

Dr Chang’a further cautioned that some parts of the country are likely to experience average to below-average rainfall, which could result in water shortages. “This situation may negatively affect livestock production and could trigger conflicts between pastoralists and other water users,” he said.

In the northern regions of Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro, rainfall is also projected to be average to slightly below average, with the rains expected to start in March and end in May. Dr Chang’a called on the public to closely follow official weather updates and advisories to enhance preparedness and reduce the impact of extreme weather events.

The Masika rainfall season mainly affects the north-eastern highlands (Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro), the northern coast (northern Morogoro, Pwani including Mafia Island, Dar es Salaam and Tanga), the Lake Victoria basin (Kagera, Geita, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Mara), as well as the northern part of Kigoma Region. .

Dar es Salaam. Governments around the world are increasingly abandoning overt repression in favour of subtler methods of restricting civic freedoms, according to the World Report 2026 released by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The annual report, which reviews human rights conditions in more than 100 countries, finds that while mass arrests, violent crackdowns and outright bans have not disappeared, many governments now rely on legal, administrative, economic and digital tools to discourage dissent without drawing the scrutiny that open repression often attracts. “Across many parts of the world, governments are maintaining a faaade of stability while quietly narrowing the space for citizens to speak, organise and criticise those in power,” the report states.

Human Rights Watch notes that this shift has led to environments in which fundamental freedoms remain formally protected under law, but are increasingly difficult to exercise in practice. According to the report, civic space is being constrained through the use of vague legislation, selective enforcement, regulatory pressure and surveillance, rather than through the overt use of force.

The report warns that calm streets and the absence of visible protest are increasingly being presented by authorities as evidence of public consent. However, it cautions that such calm can be misleading where citizens refrain from expressing dissent due to fear of legal, economic or social consequences.

“The lack of public opposition should not be confused with popular support,” the report says, adding that in many countries people are choosing silence not because they agree with government policies, but because the cost of speaking out has become unpredictable. Human Rights Watch documents how laws regulating public order, national security, media operations and civil society activities are being applied in ways that discourage participation without formally banning it.

These laws, the report notes, are often broadly worded, allowing authorities wide discretion in their interpretation and enforcement. As a result, the report finds that journalists, activists, academics and ordinary citizens increasingly engage in self-censorship.

Rather than being silenced directly, individuals limit their own speech, avoid sensitive topics or withdraw from public debate altogether. “Self-censorship has become one of the most pervasive consequences of today’s rights restrictions,” the report states, noting that it is particularly difficult to detect because it leaves few visible traces.

The report also highlights the growing use of economic pressure as a means of control. Human Rights Watch says that media outlets, civil society organisations and individuals are facing financial scrutiny, licensing risks and other regulatory hurdles that, while lawful on paper, can have punitive effects in practice.

In countries where employment opportunities are limited and economic insecurity is widespread, the report notes that such pressures can be especially effective. “When livelihoods are at stake, the threat of administrative or financial sanctions can be enough to deter criticism,” the report says.

Digital technologies are identified as another key factor in the changing pattern of repression. While acknowledging that digitalisation has expanded access to services and information, the report warns that many governments are adopting surveillance and monitoring tools without adequate safeguards for privacy and freedom of expression.

Human Rights Watch says that the expansion of digital governance systems has, in some cases, enabled authorities to track online activity, regulate digital platforms and monitor civic engagement with limited transparency or oversight. “Digital tools are being deployed more rapidly than the legal frameworks needed to prevent their misuse,” the report states, warning that this imbalance risks further shrinking civic space.

According to the report, these developments have altered the nature of public debate. Rather than disappearing altogether, discussion increasingly shifts into private or informal spaces.

Human Rights Watch argues that while such environments may appear stable, they carry long-term risks. The report warns that when grievances cannot be aired publicly or addressed through open institutions, they are pushed underground, where they can deepen and resurface in unpredictable ways.

“Restricting civic space does not eliminate dissent. It delays it, often at a greater cost to social cohesion and institutional trust,” the report says.

The report also links shrinking civic space to declining confidence in public institutions. Where laws are enforced inconsistently or access to justice is limited, Human Rights Watch notes that citizens are less likely to believe that their rights will be protected if they speak out.

Over time, the report adds, this erosion of trust weakens democratic institutions, including courts, legislatures and the media, even if they continue to function formally. Human Rights Watch stresses that the global trend it documents is not irreversible.

The report calls on governments to strengthen legal protections, ensure predictable enforcement of laws, safeguard media independence and establish robust oversight of digital technologies. “The health of a society’s civic space depends not only on the absence of repression, but on the presence of confidence.

People must believe that exercising their rights will not expose them to arbitrary punishment,” the report states. .

Dar es Salaam. As President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration marks 100 days of her second term, citizens are asking: What is the direction of the national response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs)? Deaths linked to diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, cancer, and heart conditions continue to rise amid funding gaps and concerns over transparency in service delivery.

Launching CCM’s campaigns on August 28, 2025, President Hassan said her leadership would prioritise the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050. She outlined 10 priorities to be delivered within her first 100 days if re-elected, including financing specialised treatment for NCDs. She pledged that her government would cover 100 percent of specialised treatment and diagnostic services for underprivileged citizens suffering from cancer, kidney disease, heart conditions, diabetes, orthopaedic complications, and neurological disorders.

“Within the same 100 days, we will also finance specialised medical treatment and diagnostic services for underprivileged citizens suffering from non-communicable diseases. These are high-cost illnesses that many low-income citizens have been unable to afford,” she said.

To strengthen service delivery and improve maternal and child health, the President also promised to employ 5,000 health workers within 100 days, including nurses and midwives. The Citizen assesses what has been done so far, how much funding has been allocated, where it is going, and whether citizens are already seeing tangible results.

Speaking on Monday, February 2, 2026, during a press conference with editors and journalists from various media outlets in the country, including community radio stations, Health Minister Mohammed Mchengerwa said the government was making significant investments to ensure poor patients access care without financial barriers. “This is a message of modern liberation.

A nation that invests in specialisation and expertise declares that the lives of its citizens will not be determined by luck or distance. A nation that says ‘the underprivileged must receive care without financial barriers’ is making a moral statement,” he said.

“Specialised treatment is not a luxury; it is a matter of national dignity. Protecting those without means is not charity but a duty of a humane state,” he added.

Providing further clarification, the Director of Policy, Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Health, Dr Tumainiel Macha, said that within the 100 days since November 5, 2025, the government had developed guidelines for identifying underprivileged citizens. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups; the Prime Minister’s Office; the Office for Persons with Disabilities; the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government; and the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf).

He said that after verification, eligible individuals would receive government-paid basic insurance coverage worth Sh150,000. Among them, those suffering from NCDs will be supported through a special fund established by law to finance specialised and super-specialised care for the underprivileged. “At present, the system has allocated S1 billion to register and cover the underprivileged.

Fourteen per cent of all funds collected must go toward supporting them. Sh6.7 billion has already been set aside to cover heart surgery, dialysis, and hip procedures, and this is outside the main government budget,” he said.

Dr Macha explained that patients must follow the referral system, starting at dispensaries, then health centres, district hospitals, regional referral hospitals, zonal hospitals, and finally national hospitals. “The Treasury has already released the Sh6.7 billion, which is available, and in our government budget there is an additional Sh9 billion that will continue to support the underprivileged.

The government is committed; no poor patient has been abandoned,” he said. When asked about citizens who do not fall under exemption categories, Dr Macha said national health policy requires that every citizen receive treatment regardless of their ability to pay.

“For example, if a hip procedure costs Sh18 million and a patient at MOI can afford Sh9 million or Sh5 million, government policy requires the state to cover the remaining amount. Even for insured patients, if treatment costs exceed their coverage, the government must step in.

These exemptions are provided as a matter of policy,” he explained. According to Dr Macha, the government has also invested heavily in NCD care by installing dialysis machines in every regional hospital, expanding cancer treatment services to all zonal hospitals, installing radiotherapy machines, and increasing public awareness education.

CT scan machines have also been installed in referral hospitals to enable early detection of NCDs, alongside training specialists and super-specialists through the Samia Fund. The Tanzania Medical Association (MAT) has supported the move, describing it as a major step in helping citizens who previously could not afford treatment.

MAT President, Dr Mugisha Nkoronko praised the political will of the current administration, especially the introduction of universal health insurance, which he said would transform the country’s health system. “However, we have not yet witnessed actual service delivery to even one citizen.

We would be happy to see more practical implementation beyond statements. We urge faster action so that the President’s vision becomes a fulfilled reality,” he said.

What citizens say Following these developments, citizens have expressed mixed reactions, many with renewed hope, while others say they are still waiting to see tangible implementation. Elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Samweli James from Mawelewele, Iringa, confirmed they had registered at the ward office as part of the medical waiver process and are awaiting feedback.

A resident of Luhota ward in Iringa District Council, Mr Ivan Njako, 37, said he is eagerly waiting for the waiver process to begin, as he is among the expected beneficiaries, noting that he has been undergoing dialysis twice a week since June last year. “I was told that for now I can receive waivers for medication and consultation, but I still have to cover dialysis costs myself with support from relatives and well-wishers,” he said.

Yondo Mlula, 50, from Kitayawa village in Iringa Rural, said that in her area, the current waiver system covers treatment and tests for patients aged 15 and below and seniors aged 60 and above. She added that residents had been informed that registration of poor households would begin soon.

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