Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Four Mainland Tanzania powerhouses, Young Africans (Yanga), Simba, Azam FC, and Singida Black Stars, have qualified for the NMB Mapinduzi Cup semifinals, which will be held at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The semifinals will take place today, with Azam FC facing off against Simba from 8:15 pm at the New Amaan Complex, followed by Yanga taking on Singida Black Stars tomorrow at the same venue and time. The winners of the matches will advance to the final, scheduled for January 13 at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, where Zanzibar’s President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, will be the guest of honor.

This year’s 2026 NMB Mapinduzi Cup features 10 teams: Yanga, Simba, Azam FC, Singida Black Stars, and TRA United from Mainland Tanzania. Zanzibar is represented by Mlandege FC, Muembe Makumbi City, KVZ, and Fufuni FC, while URA of Uganda participated as an invited side.

The host clubs exited early. Defending champions Mlandege FC were the first to bow out, followed by Fufuni FC, and then invited side URA of Uganda, before KVZ became the final local team to exit the tournament.

competition. The secret behind the host teams’ elimination For three consecutive years, the Mapinduzi Cup trophy remained in Zanzibar.

Mlandege FC won the title in 2023 and 2024, while last year’s special edition in 2025, which featured national teams, was won by the Zanzibar Heroes after defeating Burkina Faso in the final. That dominance has ended this season, with no Zanzibar team reaching the semifinals.

Analysts and officials have linked the unexpected outcome to several key factors, including increased competitiveness driven by lucrative prize money. Rashid Said Suleiman, Secretary of the 2026 NMB Mapinduzi Cup Organizing Committee, highlighted multiple reasons behind the Zanzibar clubs’ struggles.

These included the reality that football is a game of fine margins, the increased exposure of the Zanzibar Premier League through live broadcasts, the attraction of the top prize, and the pause in domestic league fixtures. “Opinions may differ, but to me, our failure to reach the semifinals is not a collapse.

It reflects the reality of football as a game of mistakes, especially in this era where technology plays a major role in analyzing opponents.” He added that the lucrative sponsorship package may have intensified competition.

“The strong prize incentive from NMB Bank may be one contributing factor. Our opponents benefited from the fact that the Zanzibar Premier League is now broadcast live on television, which made it easier for their analysts to study our teams.

” “Just like the Mainland league, our league was paused, and that may have slowed our teams’ rhythm and preparations. However, I must acknowledge that this was a very competitive tournament.

Every match felt like a final.” Sports stakeholder Abdulmalik Kassim Suleiman agreed that prize money raised the stakes.

“If you ask me what contributed to the fall of our teams, I would say it is the lucrative rewards for the champions and runners-up. Sponsorship has increased competition and Mainland teams have come determined to win.

” He noted that in previous years only Azam FC approached the tournament with full seriousness, while some teams previously fielded youth or reserve players, unlike this season. Another stakeholder, who requested anonymity due to his role in tournament committees, believed overconfidence also played a role.

“Yes, the tournament has improved in quality, but our teams were hurt by overconfidence. They entered believing they were strong enough to retain the title, while Mainland clubs came fully prepared and highly motivated.

” He pointed to strong first-team selections by Mainland clubs, including Yanga’s full-strength lineup in their opening match. Mlandege FC member Japhar Haji Abbas described the exit as a valuable lesson.

“We have learned from our own fall as defending champions and from the general failure of Zanzibar teams. This is a wake-up call.

The tournament is now big and must be approached with full seriousness. We should rely on our registered league players instead of using the competition as a trial platform.

” Prize for NMB Most Disciplined Player Increased Despite exiting early, Zanzibar clubs maintained pride through commendable discipline on the pitch. Several of their players won the NMB Most Disciplined Player Award, which initially carried a cash prize of Sh500, 000 courtesy of NMB Bank.

The award value has now increased from the semifinal stage, with winners set to receive Sh1 million in the semifinals and Sh2 million in the final. Players who have so far received the award include: Aimar Hafidh Abdallah “Haaland” (Mlandege FC).

Yakoub Said Mohammed (Muembe Makumbi City, twice), Michael Joseph Godlove (KVZ) Others are: Jamal Saleh Ali “Jaku” (Mlandege FC), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Singida Black Stars), Okorasma Manyemi (Mlandege FC), Mulikyi Hudu (URA FC), Majid Khamis (KVZ), Otti Ronald (URA FC), Karim Ali Khamis (Fufuni SC) and Nassir Kombo (TRA United). In the final group match, Yanga defeated TRA United 10 through a goal scored by Celestine Ecua, while TRA captain Kombo became the last player to receive the Sh500,000 NMB Most Disciplined Player Award before the prize increase for the knockout stages.

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Musoma. The government plans to revive redevelopment of the Musoma Tourist Hotel, which has remained idle for more than 25 years after being abandoned by an investor, leaving the structure in a dilapidated state.

Owned by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the hotel was among the public enterprises privatised under the national privatisation policy. Since then, it has remained unused, deteriorating into a derelict structure reportedly frequented by criminals.

Speaking after inspecting the hotel premises at Mwisenge in Musoma Municipality on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Dr Pius Chaya, said refurbishment is expected to start in early June as part of the government’s investment policy implementation. “In short, an investor has been identified and is in discussions with TRC on how revitalisation and operations will be undertaken.

I direct the Treasury Registrar to ensure these discussions are concluded swiftly so that work can commence immediately,” he said. Dr Chaya said the government is prioritising investment to boost national economic growth and improve livelihoods, aiming to generate jobs and income through domestic and foreign investors.

Over the past four years, the government has invested heavily in social services, including health, education, and water, to prepare the country for sustainable investment. “The improvement of social services was deliberate because citizens cannot benefit from investment without adequate services.

Now the focus is investment,” he said. Dr Chaya also revealed that the Treasury Registrar has initiated talks with two other investors to revive the long-dormant Mutex milk and textile factories.

He urged Tanzanians to change their mindset on investment, stressing that the government will replace investors who fail to develop projects and seek new ones to ensure opportunities are not wasted. Earlier, Mara Regional Commissioner Colonel Evans Mtambi said previous efforts to establish factories, including textile, milk, and fish processing, had failed, leaving the region without functioning industries.

“The region currently has no operating factories. Opportunities exist; we need factories to move from raw material production to value addition, strengthening our value chain,” he said.

He added that Vision 2050 prioritises factories of all sizes, and the Mara Region must benefit, with designated industrial zones being identified to facilitate investment. Musoma Urban MP Mgore Miraji said reviving factories would strengthen the regional and local economy.

“Our biggest challenge is livelihoods. Reviving these factories will increase financial circulation and improve the economy of the people and the district,” he said.

Musoma District Commissioner Mr Juma Chikoka said reconstructing the hotel will create jobs, boost the economy, and help reduce crime, as some criminals have been using the derelict building for illegal activities. Some residents have called on the government to fast-track industrial revival to create employment opportunities.

“I used to work at the milk factory, which employed over 500 people. Now, with textile and fish factories closed, jobs have disappeared,” said Musa John.

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The United States could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenue for years, President Donald Trump said in an interview published on Thursday. During what the New York Times described as a wide-ranging, two-hour interview, the paper said Trump also appeared to lift a threat to take military action against Venezuela’s neighbour Colombia.

Trump invited Colombia’s leftist leader, whom he had previously called a “sick man”, to visit Washington. “Only time will tell” how long the United States will oversee Venezuela, Trump said.

When asked by the newspaper if it would be three months, six months, a year or longer, Trump said: “I would say much longer.” “We will rebuild it in a very profitable way,” Trump said of Venezuela, where he sent troops to seize President Nicolas Maduro in a night raid on January 3.

“We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil. We’re getting oil prices down, and we’re going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need.

” Trump added that the U.S.

was “getting along very well” with the government of the interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, a longstanding Maduro loyalist who had served as the ousted leader’s vice president. ‘Marco speaks to her all the time’ The Times said Trump declined to answer questions about why he had decided not to give power in Venezuela instead to the opposition, which Washington had previously considered the legitimate winner of an election in 2024. Trump on Tuesday unveiled a plan to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been stuck in Venezuela under U.

S. blockade.

“They’re giving us everything that we feel is necessary,” Trump said, referring to the Venezuelan government. He declined to comment when asked if he had personally spoken to Rodriguez.

“But Marco speaks to her all the time,” he said, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “I will tell you that we are in constant communication with her and the administration.

” Colombia threat appears to dissipate The Times said its reporters were permitted to sit in during a phone call between Trump and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, provided the contents of the call were off the record. In a post on social media, Trump said: “It was a great honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had.

I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future.” Petro described the call, his first with Trump, as cordial.

On Sunday Trump had threatened to carry out military action against Colombia, calling Petro “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long”. The Times said Trump’s phone call with Petro lasted about an hour and “appeared to dissipate any immediate threat of U.

S. military action”.

Trump’s use of force in Venezuela has made some members of his own Republican Party wary, after he long criticised U.S.

military ventures abroad. The Senate is due to consider a resolution on Thursday to block Trump from taking further action without congressional authorization.

Republicans, who control the Senate with 53 seats, have defeated several such measures since Trump began military action around Venezuela late last year, but the last vote in November was a close 49-51 after two Republicans backed it. Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican co-sponsoring the resolution, said he had spoken to at least two additional Republicans now “thinking about it”.

Meeting planned with oil companies Trump has said the United States intends to “run” Venezuela. U.

S. officials have indicated their plan for now is to exert influence without a military occupation.

Venezuela, with the world’s biggest proven oil reserves, has become impoverished in recent decades, with eight million people fleeing abroad in one of the world’s biggest migration crises. Washington and the Venezuelan opposition have long blamed corruption, mismanagement and brutality by the ruling Socialist Party.

Maduro blamed the economic damage on U.S.

sanctions. Several senior U.

S. officials said on Wednesday that the United States needs to control Venezuela’s oil sales and revenues indefinitely in order to restore the country’s oil industry and rebuild its economy.

Trump is scheduled to meet with the heads of major oil companies at the White House on Friday to discuss ways of raising Venezuela’s oil production. Representatives from the top three U.

S. oil companies, Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and Chevron (XOM.

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N), opens new tab, would be present, according to a source familiar with the planning. The companies, all of which have experience in Venezuela, have declined to comment.

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Unguja. The construction of a modern animal health research laboratory in Zanzibar is expected to spur investment in the livestock sector by addressing long-standing concerns over veterinary diagnostic services, officials have said.

The container-based laboratory — the first of its kind in East Africa — was established by Germany’s Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) and is expected to offer internationally accredited diagnostic services. Across Africa, similar facilities exist only in Ghana and Namibia, making Zanzibar’s the third on the continent.

The Sh1.2 billion facility was built by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar through the ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, in partnership with FLI. The development was unveiled on January 7 during the launch of the Animal Health Research Laboratory at the Zanzibar Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute (Zaliri), as part of activities marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.

Speaking at the event, deputy minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock Dr Salum Soud Hamed said the laboratory would help unlock investment in livestock by addressing a key concern raised by potential investors. “Whenever investors wanted to invest in the livestock sector, the first question they asked was about the availability of veterinary treatment services.

The establishment of this laboratory will therefore act as a catalyst for investment in the sector,” said Dr Hamed. Livestock is one of the most important economic sectors, particularly for rural communities, serving as a key source of income and food security.

Dr Hamed said over the past three years the livestock subsector has contributed 12 percent of the agricultural sector’s output, with agriculture accounting for 24.3 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said the government is pursuing reforms in the livestock sector through the adoption of modern technologies to boost productivity and efficiency, alongside strengthening production infrastructure.

The laboratory, he added, will not only benefit livestock keepers and farmers but also stakeholders in the forestry and wildlife sectors, as wild animals are also affected by diseases that require laboratory-based diagnosis to identify pathogens accurately. The ministry of Agriculture acknowledged and commended the contribution of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in supporting the establishment of the facility.

FLI director Prof Dr Sascha Knauf said the state-of-the-art laboratory would serve both human and animal health needs and benefit current and future generations. Zaliri director general Abdallah Ibrahim Ali said research work often faces numerous challenges, including shortages of equipment and the occupational risks faced by specialists exposed to infectious diseases.

He also cited a shortage of laboratory experts on the islands. However, he said three specialists from the newly launched laboratory have already been sent to Germany for further training and are expected to strengthen local capacity upon their return.

The container-based laboratory is equipped to provide diagnostic services to German and international standards and will be digitally linked to FLI’s main laboratory in Germany through integrated information and communication technology systems. Project costs stood at Sh1.2 billion, of which S50 million was provided by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, while Sh750 million was contributed by FLI.

FLI has also supplied modern laboratory equipment, including two container-based laboratory units, two bio-banks for long-term storage of animal samples, two generators each with a capacity of 15 kilowatts, and a double-cabin vehicle for sample collection. In addition, the Zanzibar government has completed the construction of microbiology and parasitology laboratories, meat goat research sheds, a conference hall, offices for laboratory staff and sanitation facilities.

Meanwhile, minister of State in the President’s Office (Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance) Mr Haroun Ali Suleiman said the institute was established with a vision of achieving international excellence in research that addresses poverty and food insecurity. He said the institution aims to contribute to economic growth by advancing agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors through research, innovation and the dissemination of modern technologies to stakeholders.

Mr Suleiman urged those entrusted with managing the laboratory to ensure proper care and long-term use of the infrastructure and equipment. “It is my hope that this laboratory and its facilities will be well maintained for proper and sustainable use.

Those responsible must recognise the value of the funds invested and safeguard all equipment and furnishings to ensure long-term benefits,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. China’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, is scheduled to make an official visit to Tanzania from January 9 to 10, 2026, in a move expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, will be received by his Tanzanian counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. During his stay, Mr Wang is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“The visit is aimed at further strengthening and deepening the long-standing friendly relations and cooperation between Tanzania and the People’s Republic of China for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” the ministry said in the statement. The ministry added that the visit comes within the broader framework of ChinaAfrica cooperation, noting that Tanzania and China continue to enjoy robust and mutually beneficial ties, particularly in trade and investment.

Chinese investment in Tanzania has continued to expand, making a significant contribution to the country’s economic development. In 2025 alone, the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) registered 343 Chinese-backed projects valued at $3.1 billion (about Sh7.7 trillion), which created more than 82,000 jobs.

The investments span a range of key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, services, transport, commercial real estate, telecommunications and tourism. The statement further highlighted close cooperation between Tanzania and China in the development of transport infrastructure, describing it as a critical driver of economic growth and regional integration.

In this context, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) was cited as one of the most enduring symbols of friendship and cooperation between Tanzania, Zambia and China. The railway, which stretches for 1,860 kilometres–975 kilometres in Tanzania and 885 kilometres in Zambia–remains a landmark project reflecting decades of partnership.

The ministry said the visit underscores the enduring friendship between Tanzania and China, founded on mutual trust, respect and shared values cultivated over more than 60 years. It recalled that the strong ties between the two nations were laid by their founding leaders, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the late Chairman Mao Zedong, and have since been strengthened by successive generations of leadership.

The government said it expects the visit to further consolidate cooperation between the two countries and open new opportunities for collaboration in areas of shared interest. .

Dar es Salaam. The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has announced a shift in its operational approach, directing that party activities should be driven from the grassroots upwards, rather than through top-down directives.

CCM secretary general Dr Asha-Rose Migiro said the new strategy aims to revitalise the party’s operations by ensuring that challenges faced by citizens at the grassroots are collected by branch leaders and channelled upwards for action. She said the move is intended to bring the party closer to the people and safeguard its large membership base.

The new approach comes amid criticism on social media platforms, where some users have accused CCM of being detached from wananchi. However, party leaders have repeatedly insisted that CCM’s operations are geared towards benefiting citizens.

Dr Migiro made the remarks yesterday, while addressing a working session with CCM leaders from branches, wards and constituencies in Temeke and Kigamboni districts in Dar es Salaam. She urged grassroots leaders to abandon the practice of waiting for instructions from higher levels and instead proactively gather citizens’ concerns and submit them for implementation.

“We want to hear from the grassroots and know what is happening on the ground. Our instructions should come from below, not from the top going down,” she said, urging leaders to freely submit messages and reports on how to further strengthen the party.

She said the reforms are aimed at consolidating and building the party, while protecting the strong membership base that CCM prides itself on. As part of party-building efforts, Dr Migiro emphasised the importance of branch leaders and other officials nationwide fostering good relations with citizens and using respectful and inclusive language.

“In our mobilisation, our work and our service to Tanzanians, we must stay very close to the community and recognise that their problems are our problems, because we also come from these same communities,” she said. She added that leaders who remain close to the people, uphold good relations and use appropriate language would strengthen cooperation and ultimately enhance national unity.

Dr Migiro also called on party leaders to work closely with the government and pay close attention to the implementation of CCM’s election manifesto. To effectively oversee government performance, she said leaders must always be guided by the national manifesto as well as regional and district-level commitments.

“Supervising the government means reminding leaders of what was promised in the manifesto, ensuring implementation and providing regular updates, while leaders speak openly about progress,” she said. She further noted that CCM is fortunate to own income-generating assets, which are intended to benefit the party, and warned leaders against misusing them for personal gain.

Dr Migiro said her decision to begin her nationwide tour at the grassroots level was based on the recognition that the branch is the heart of the party, where its strength and vitality lie. She said the party secretariat had agreed that her first tour should start at the branch level and that leaders were ready to listen to advice on how best to collaborate in receiving detailed reports from the grassroots.

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Marrakech. Winger Amad Diallo scored one goal and created another to continue his excellent form in Morocco as defending champions Ivory Coast eased past Burkina Faso 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 fixture in Marrakech on Tuesday.

The Ivorians will face record seven-time winners Egypt in a heavyweight quarter-final in Agadir on Saturday, a colossal clash that is a repeat of the 2006 decider where the North African side triumphed on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure were also on target for coach Emerse Fae’s team as they dominated the contest against the out-gunned Burkinabe and might have won by a greater margin but for some excellent goalkeeping from Herve Koffi.

Diallo, 23, will go back to a new manager at Manchester United after the finals in Morocco having been one of the stand-out players at the tournament so far with three goals and an assist, driving the Ivorians’ impressive title defence. “There’s this understanding on the field, this closeness between us, which makes our game easier,” Diallo said.

“There is a real connection, a kind of little twist in the way we play. No one is trying to be the hero or shine individually.

” Compared to how they stuttered to the title on home soil two years ago, the Ivorians have been hugely impressive in Morocco and this was arguably their most dominant display of the competition to date. They took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to a superb solo effort from Diallo, who danced his way past three defenders before a fortunate deflection allowed him to lift the ball over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.

Diallo turns provider It was 2-0 on 32 minutes and no more than the Ivorians deserved for their positive attacking play. This time Diallo was the creator as his trickery on the right wing ended with a low cross that was cleverly left by Franck Kessie and the ball reached Diomande, who side-footed into the net from 18 yards.

The Burkinabe were inches away from pulling a goal back as Dango Ouattara’s shot from a tight angle hit the post, but it proved a rare bright moment. But no, the girl gets up.

And you see, I want to be more, but I have somebody watching. The Ivorians kept pushing forward and would end with 21 shots at goal, with one of those leading to their third score on 87 minutes.

Toure broke free on the left-hand side of the box and with Koffi perhaps expecting a cross, the teenage winger instead netted at the near post for his second of the campaign. .

Dar es Salaam. Consumers of petrol and kerosene will pay more per liter this month following an upward adjustment in fuel prices, while diesel users will enjoy a modest price reduction.

The changes follow the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (EWURA) announcement of new nationwide fuel price caps, which took effect on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The latest review comes against a backdrop of declining global fuel prices, which fell by 4.26 percent for petrol, 12.83 percent for diesel, and 10.44 percent for kerosene.

Import premiums at the Port of Dar es Salaam also dropped, averaging 1.1 percent for petrol, 4.

0 percent for diesel, and 3.7 percent for kerosene.

However, costs increased at the Port of Tanga by 3.5 percent for both petrol and diesel, while at the Port of Mtwara, petrol premiums rose by 11.5 percent, with diesel remaining unchanged.

Under the new caps, petrol routed through the Dar es Salaam port will retail at Sh2,778 per liter in January, up from Sh2,749 in December. Diesel prices have fallen to Sh2,726 per liter from Sh2,779, offering some relief to users, while kerosene has risen to Sh2,763 from Sh2,653. For fuel supplied through the Tanga port, petrol will sell at Sh2,839 per liter, up from Sh2,811; diesel at Sh2,787, up from Sh2,766; and kerosene at Sh2,856, up from Sh2,714. Meanwhile, consumers sourcing fuel through the Mtwara port will pay Sh2,870 per liter for petrol, up from Sh2,842. Diesel will drop to Sh2,818 from Sh2,872, while kerosene will increase to Sh2,856 from Sh2,745. EWURA noted that the average applicable foreign exchange rate used in calculating January 2026 prices increased by 1.

31 percent, contributing to the overall price movements. Following the adjustment, EWURA has directed all fuel traders to strictly adhere to the announced price caps, warning that legal action will be taken against violators.

Fuel stations are required to clearly display pump prices, including any discounts or promotional offers, on visible boards. Selling fuel without displayed prices is an offence punishable under existing regulations.

The regulator also reminded retailers to issue sales receipts generated from Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers (EFPP). Consumers are advised to ensure they receive receipts showing the station’s name, date, type of fuel purchased, and price per liter, which will serve as evidence in case of complaints over overpricing or substandard fuel and support government tax collection.

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Beijing. China’s top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday, with a focus on the strategically important east, as the world’s No.

2 economy seeks to reinforce its influence on the continent. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho on this year’s trip.

Wang’s visit to Somalia – the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s – is likely to provide Mogadishu with a diplomatic boost after Israel last month became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway Republic of Somaliland, a northern region that declared itself independent in 1991. Beijing, which reiterated its support for Somalia after the Israeli announcement, is keen to buttress its influence around the Gulf of Aden, the entry to the Red Sea and a crucial corridor for Chinese trade heading through the Suez Canal to European markets. Further south, Tanzania is central to Beijing’s push to secure access to Africa’s vast copper deposits.

Chinese firms are refurbishing the Tazara Railway that runs through the country into Zambia. Li Qiang made a landmark trip to Zambia in November, the first visit by a Chinese premier in 28 years.

The railway is widely seen as a counterweight to the U.S.

and European Union-backed Lobito Corridor, which connects Zambia to Atlantic ports via Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By visiting the southern African kingdom of Lesotho, Wang aims to highlight Beijing’s push to position itself as a champion of free trade.

Last year, China offered tariff-free market access to its $19 trillion economy for the world’s poorest nations, fulfilling a pledge by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing. Lesotho, one of the world’s poorest nations with a gross domestic product of just over $2 billion, was among the countries hardest hit by U.

S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs last year, facing duties of up to 50% on its exports to the United States.

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Dar es Salaam. Weddings are traditionally joyous occasions, celebrated with family and friends, but for Ms Zainab Kombo, however, joy came not from a wedding but from a divorce.

She celebrated after her former marriage ended, a move that has divided public opinion. The event has provoked mixed reactions among moralists, sociologists, religious leaders, and government officials.

Some commend her courage, while others warn that such acts threaten societal values. While supporters say Ms Kombo’s celebration symbolises liberation from pain, abuse, and oppression endured during her marriage, critics, however, argue that publicly celebrating divorce sets a dangerous precedent for younger generations, encouraging impatience in resolving marital conflicts and undermining the institution of marriage.

Religious leaders contend that such celebrations fail to model positive social behaviour, eroding respect for marriage. The government, balancing these views, has called for a comprehensive study to understand why such celebrations occur, their prevalence, objectives, consequences, and the communities affected.

Dubbed the “Night of Divorce,” the celebration took place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and was attended by Ms Kombo’s relatives, friends, and neighbours. Ms Kombo told local media she wanted to mark her divorce once it was officially granted, but did not elaborate on the challenges she faced during her marriage.

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Ms Kombo’s sister, Aisha Othman, told Mwananchi, The Citizen’s sister newspaper, that her younger sister had been married twice before her third marriage, which recently ended in divorce. “In her first marriage, she believed in her husband’s love, but circumstances later broke her heart.

The second marriage followed the same pattern,” said Ms Othman. “By the third, she saw no reason to keep crying.

She chose to celebrate to inspire others facing similar hardships,” she added. In that third marriage, Ms Kombo lived with her partner for three years and had twins, yet the relationship ended, prompting her decision to hold a divorce celebration.

Ms Othman emphasised that her young sister wanted to show women leaving difficult marriages that they should not lose hope. Sociologist, Dr Amina Mussa, observed that for some, divorce follows years of silent suffering.

“For a woman in an abusive or psychologically harmful marriage, divorce can mark the start of a new life. Celebrating it is a way of saying, ‘I have saved myself,'” she said.

She added that such celebrations reinforce self-respect, particularly for women long conditioned to endure adversity at the cost of their well-being. “It signals that leaving a harmful marriage is not failure, but a protective choice,” she said.

Dr Mussa also warned that publicly celebrating divorce carries risks, especially for young people learning about marriage through societal examples. “Divorce should be a last resort, not a cause for celebration.

Celebrating it may undermine patience in resolving conflicts,” she said, noting that children witnessing such events might develop negative perceptions of family and marital responsibilities. Tiki Tanzania Chairperson, Ms Florentine Senya, echoed this concern, “Celebrating divorce may lead the unmarried to see marriage as meaningless.

It diminishes the value of the family, which is central to society.” She added that such celebrations could reduce the desire to marry, increase separations, and deprive children of parental guidance, ultimately eroding moral values.

“If divorce becomes a cause for celebration, young people may prefer casual partnerships over committed marriage,” she warned. Ms Senya explained that celebrations often arise when unprepared marriages encounter unforeseen difficulties, noting that couples who successfully exit harmful unions may view divorce as a personal victory, prompting festivities.

According to her, many young people enter marriage after multiple informal unions, such as cohabitation, and lack understanding of formal marriage procedures, which require mutual respect, consultation, and support. “A culture of instant gratification further reduces tolerance for marital challenges,” she said.

A Kinondoni resident, Ms Rehema Shabani, added that some celebrations aim to recover financial contributions or gifts given to a former spouse, sometimes requiring guests to pay to participate in the festivities, including sharing the cake. Dar es Salaam Regional Kadhi Sheikh Ramadhani Kitogo said public divorce celebrations are ethically inappropriate, “Islam permits divorce when necessary, but it should not be celebrated.

” Pastor Daniel Sendoro of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) for the Eastern and Coastal Diocese added that while people may use such events to seek relief from emotional pain, they harm society by undermining the dignity of marriage. “Celebrating a marriage’s end teaches poor values to children and youth,” he said.

Psychologist, Dr Peter Luhanga, cautioned that celebrations may mask pain without addressing emotional wounds. “A person may appear joyful, but stress and unresolved anger can resurface.

Divorce requires psychological support, not just a party,” he said. Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, described such events as unusual, stressing that marriage is inherently joyous, while divorce is a matter of sadness.

“Publicly celebrating a marriage breakdown can trigger negative consequences for individuals and society,” she said, urging experts in social welfare, psychology, religion, and family law to analyse such celebrations to determine their scale, purpose, effects, and impact. “This will guide professional advice for public education.

Without it, divorce celebrations could become common, despite their negative social consequences,” she said. .