Category: The Citizen

Nairobi. Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Masauni, has been endorsed as one of the eight vice presidents for the eighth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-8).

The endorsement followed the formal nomination process for the new UNEA Bureau, which assumes office at the close of UNEA-7 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi. Under UNEA rules of procedure, a new president, eight vice presidents and a rapporteur are elected at the end of each session.

For UNEA-8, the African Group was allocated two vice-presidential positions, both filled through endorsed nominations. Mr Masauni will serve alongside Libya’s minister of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Alarabi Munir, as the two vice presidents representing Africa.

Jamaica’s Mr Matthew Samuda is set to assume the UNEA-8 presidency, having been endorsed by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC). Other vice presidents endorsed include Fiji’s Mr Mosese Bulitavu and Sri Lanka’s Mr Dammika Patabendi from the Asia-Pacific Group; Georgia’s Ms Nino Tandilashvili and Hungary’s Ms Aniko Raisz from the Eastern European Group; Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Ms Joyelle Clarke representing GRULAC; and Germany’s Mr Jochen Flasbarth from the Western European and Others Group.

Switzerland’s Mr Felix Wertli is set to serve as rapporteur. The new Bureau will steer preparations for UNEA-8, scheduled for December 610, 2027, including agenda-setting and negotiations on global environmental priorities.

Mr Masauni’s endorsement is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s profile in multilateral environmental diplomacy, particularly on climate action, pollution and biodiversity. UNEA-7 concluded with the adoption of 11 resolutions, three decisions and a ministerial declaration addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

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Dar es Salaam. Residents of Dar es Salaam, Simiyu, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma and Arusha regions are grappling with one of the most severe water shortages in recent years, forcing households and businesses alike to adopt drastic coping measures to sustain daily life.

In Dar es Salaam, families have turned to buying bottled water for cooking, suspending activities that require large volumes of water, storing every available drop in buckets and drums, and relying heavily on privately owned wells. The shortage has reshaped routines, with many residents now planning household activities around erratic and unpredictable water supply schedules.

A 20-litre jerrycan of water in the commercial capital costs between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000, prices that many low-income households find difficult to sustain. In Morogoro, the situation is even more precarious, with some communities resorting to using contaminated water drawn from valleys and seasonal streams, raising concerns about public health risks.

The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) says production at the Lower Ruvu Water Treatment Plant has dropped sharply from 270 million litres per day to about 50 million litres, severely constraining supply to the city and surrounding areas. The authority attributes the decline to reduced water levels in the Ruvu River, compounded by prolonged dry conditions.

Earlier this month, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) attributed the rainfall deficit to La Niaa conditions, which are expected to ease by January. The country is also experiencing unusually high temperatures.

On November 21, Moshi in Kilimanjaro Region recorded 35.7C, about 4.2C above the long-term average, intensifying evaporation and water demand.

In Dar es Salaam neighbourhoods such as Goba, Mbezi and Tabata, residents say water now arrives sporadically, if at all. A Goba resident, Ms Rose Joseph, said her family keeps buckets permanently on standby but often ends up buying water when scheduled supply fails.

“Sometimes we buy a six-litre container for S,000 just for cooking. Even when salty tap water is available, long queues mean we may wait several days,” she said.

Similarly, Ms Rehema Rajab from Kimara Suka said her area has gone nearly three weeks without piped water. Households now depend on privately owned deep wells, where a bucket sells for Sh300 or more.

“For cooking, we have no option. Bottled water is essential because the salty water is unsuitable,” she explained.

In Magarisaba, landlord Mr Goodliving Emmanuel said he has advised tenants to temporarily suspend water-intensive activities such as laundry in order to conserve the limited supply. “They understand the situation, and many are relying on salty water from private wells for basic needs,” he said.

Dawasa Chief Executive Officer, Mkama Bwire, said the authority has taken several measures to mitigate the crisis, including restoring the Ruvu River to its natural course, rehabilitating boreholes and connecting them to the existing supply network. He urged residents to adopt water-saving practices, store water during the dry season and use available resources more efficiently.

Way forward Experts warn that without long-term strategies for source protection, storage and water harvesting, the crisis will continue to disrupt livelihoods and constrain economic activity. Among the proposed solutions is the construction of large reservoirs to capture and store rainwater during wet seasons.

These proposals align with the CCM 20252030 election manifesto, which pledges increased investment in boreholes and dams. Other recommendations include completing the national water grid, guiding households on installing and managing private wells, finalising major promised projects and strengthening public education on climate change adaptation.

Key strategies outlined in the National Water Policy include developing climate-resilient storage infrastructure, reducing the risks posed by droughts and floods, and exploring alternative water sources such as wastewater recycling, desalination and inter-basin water transfer systems. Speaking yesterday a senior lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, Dr Yohana Lawi, said current water supplies remain inadequate despite ongoing infrastructure improvements.

“Even during the rainy season, supply does not meet demand, and the situation worsens significantly during droughts,” he said, adding that many existing interventions are short-term. For sustainable solutions, Dr Lawi recommended sourcing water from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, completing the national water grid and promoting household-level rainwater harvesting.

He also called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector in drilling and legally managing boreholes to ensure equitable access. Environmental expert Ms Rahel Elibariki said reliance on rainfall alone is no longer viable.

“It is essential to implement storage and harvesting measures, including dams and boreholes, to meet both current and future needs,” she said, stressing that large-scale tree planting should be treated as an emergency measure to help restore natural ecosystems. Another environmental specialist, Dr Aidan Msafiri, emphasised the need for permanent, coordinated solutions.

“Planning for 2026 and beyond must start now, rather than waiting for recurring crises,” he said. He added that while policies are sound, weak implementation and limited political will continue to undermine progress, calling for shared accountability across public and private institutions.

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Dar es Salaam. Former Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club golfer Philippe Corsaletti has earned international recognition after being named among the Top 50 Kids Coaches of 2025 by US Kids Golf, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the development of young golfers.

Now based in Villeneuve-Loubet, France, Corsaletti is a member of Golf de la Vanade, where he has built a strong reputation for junior golf development. His inclusion in the prestigious list places him among elite golf educators drawn from 20 U.

S. states and 10 different countries, underlining the global significance of the honour.

The Top 50 Kids Coach Award celebrates instructors who go beyond technical teaching to create a positive, engaging, and nurturing environment for young players. According to U.

S. Kids Golf, the recognition is reserved for coaches who consistently demonstrate excellence in player development while using innovative methods and best-in-class resources to inspire the next generation.

“We celebrate these coaches because of their remarkable ability to teach golf skills while also instilling a love of the game,” said Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S.

Kids Golf. “They are not just creating really good players; they are creating lifelong players.

For a kids’ golf coach, there is no greater reward.” Established in 2004, the U.

S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Coach Award is widely regarded as the highest distinction for junior golf coaches worldwide.

Candidates are evaluated by a selection committee from among certified coaches, using a comprehensive set of criteria. These include innovation, creativity, player retention, communication skills, parental engagement, organization, and most importantly, the ability to spark and sustain a passion for the game among young golfers.

Corsaletti’s journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to youth golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development. His journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to junior golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development.

All award recipients, including Corsaletti, will be officially honoured during a special presentation on January 21 at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, one of the largest gatherings of golf professionals and industry leaders in the world. About US Kids Golf Founded in 1996, U.

S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization devoted to growing golf among youth and families.

The organization provides junior golf equipment across three distinct club lines, available in up to 10 different sizes to suit children of all ages and abilities. Through the U.

S. Kids Golf Foundation, more than 1,600 tournaments are hosted annually worldwide, including the prestigious U.

S. Kids Golf World Championship held each year in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The Foundation also runs a global Coaches Institute with over 1,800 members, and owns Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, a pioneering facility described as a “living laboratory” for innovative golf practices. In recognition of its impact, U.

S. Kids Golf was named among the Top 100 Businesses in Golf by the National Golf Foundation in both 2018 and 2020, based on influence, innovation, and social good.

Corsaletti’s achievement stands as a proud milestone for junior golf development and a powerful reminder of the global reach of the game. .

Dar es Salaam. As rainfall across Tanzania becomes increasingly erratic, delayed and insufficient, the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (Agcot) has issued an urgent advisory calling on farmers to place soil health at the centre of their climate-change response.

Agcot warns that declining and unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures now pose a structural threat to agricultural productivity rather than a temporary setback. While expanding irrigation remains important, the organisation says it is no longer sufficient on its own and must be complemented by climate-smart approaches, particularly deliberate investment in soil health.

These include the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, improved seed capable of escaping drought, and farming systems that protect soil structure and organic matter. The advisory builds on experience gained during Agcot’s earlier operations as Sagcot, when, in collaboration with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (Tari), it conducted field trials on soil-health-based farming systems.

According to Agcot, results consistently showed that farms which protected soil structure and organic matter performed significantly better under conditions of low and unreliable rainfall. The organisation says the guidance reflects realities observed across smallholder farms nationwide, including the Coastal Belt, Central regions, Northern Highlands and Lake Zone.

Continued exposure of soil without protective cover has been identified as a major cause of erosion, loss of fertile topsoil, rapid moisture depletion, destruction of soil biodiversity and declining crop yields. The advisory comes as Tanzania again faces reduced rainfall linked to the La Niaa climate phenomenon, which meteorological experts associate with delayed onset of rains, prolonged dry spells and episodes of intense heat, particularly in Coastal and Central zones.

These conditions have increasingly resulted in what experts describe as a “green drought”, where crops germinate after early rains but fail mid-season due to poor moisture retention. Agcot says farmers who invest in soil health are far better positioned to withstand such conditions, as healthy soils store moisture and nutrients, allowing crops to survive extended dry spells and reducing the risk of total crop failure even when rainfall is below average.

Field observations cited in the advisory show widespread cases of young maize crops growing on bare soil without any residue cover. Although such soils may still be productive, direct exposure to intense sunlight leads to rapid drying, early plant stress and stunted growth.

Agcot notes that this is no longer a localised problem but a national challenge requiring a shift in land management practices. As a response, the organisation is urging a decisive transition to Conservation Agriculture, anchored on continuous soil cover, reduced soil disturbance and crop diversification.

Maintaining even a thin soil cover through retained residues or mulch helps lower soil temperatures and reduce moisture loss, while reduced ploughing preserves soil structure and improves water infiltration. Crop rotation and intercropping with legumes such as pigeon pea, lablab and velvet bean also enhance soil fertility and moisture retention.

Agcot highlights particular challenges in sandy soils, especially in Coastal and Central Tanzania, where rapid drainage limits moisture availability. It notes that many soils have organic carbon levels below 0.

3 percent, far below the minimum 0.7 percent required for resilience.

Through the use of cover crops, manure, compost and biochar, farmers can raise soil carbon levels within three to four years. For the first time, Agcot is strongly promoting biochar as a practical and affordable solution, especially in rice-growing areas where husks are often burned or discarded.

When properly carbonised and incorporated into the soil, biochar turns agricultural waste into a long-term reservoir for water and nutrients. Research from Tari stations in Tumbi, Ilonga, Selian and Mbinga shows that combining soil cover, conservation tillage and water-harvesting practices can double or even quadruple maize yields during drought years, while enabling crops to survive up to two weeks longer without rainfall during mid-season dry spells.

The advisory aligns with the Tanzania Agriculture Master Plan 2050 and broader continental efforts to restore soil health as the foundation of sustainable growth. Agcot Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Kirenga said soil health must now be treated as a strategic priority.

“The time has come for farmers to give soil health the same importance we have long given to improved seed and fertiliser,” he said. “Without living, protected soil, no technology can save our crops.

” Agcot is calling on farmers, extension officers, research institutions and development partners to mainstream Conservation Agriculture practices, warning that leaving soil bare leads to direct economic losses and perpetuates low productivity and rural poverty. .

Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on newly appointed ministers and Members of Parliament to emulate former minister Jenister Mhagama, praising her patriotism, dedication and commitment to public service.

President Hassan made the remarks on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Kiwanja cha Ndege Catholic Church in Dodoma while offering condolences to mourners during the funeral service of the late Mhagama. According to a statement issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Baraka Leonard, Mhagama died on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac condition.

President Hassan said as the nation continues to mourn Mhagama, it is important to reflect on the values and exemplary life she led. “Members of Parliament and ministers, especially the new ones, should not hesitate to follow in her footsteps.

Life and development do not require political ideologies. As we remember her today, let us also remember her smile and her deep concern for the national interest,” President Hassan said.

She added that Tanzania’s national strength had been shaped, in part, by the contribution of the late Mhagama, describing her as dependable and versatile. “I used to call her a ‘patch’ because wherever I assigned her, she fitted perfectly.

That is why she holds a unique record of serving as secretary to MPs while also being a chief whip, executing all her duties diligently,” she said. Paying a personal tribute, President Hassan added: “My younger sister Jenister, you fought a good fight and finished the race.

On behalf of all of us, united in one spirit, we pray that Almighty God grants your soul eternal rest. Amen.

” The President also noted that Mhagama used her background in teaching to mentor others and commended her performance during the period she worked under her office. Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi said Mhagama’s public service record was exemplary, adding that the people of Peramiho had nothing to fault her for.

Dr Nchimbi said he wished MPs and councillors would emulate her dedication to serving citizens and loving their country. “We come into this world to serve others.

Let us strive to be good examples in the positions we hold, because even when Jenister was a minister, she never stopped serving the underprivileged people of Peramiho,” he said. Earlier, the parish priest of Kiwanja cha Ndege Catholic Church, Father Emmanuel Mtambo, said that beyond her government and political roles, Mhagama was a devoted servant of the church.

Speaking during his homily, Father Mtambo said the late leader was exemplary in service, tithing and charity, often supporting the needy quietly without seeking recognition. “On many occasions she would send her driver to deliver offerings, but she insisted that no public announcement be made, and we respected her wish,” he said.

Father Mtambo revealed that the vestment he wore while leading the service had been purchased by Mhagama, who ordered it from Kenya. He added that she also supported the construction of church towers and statues, including a large statue of the Virgin Mary at the church entrance, all done voluntarily.

Mhagama’s eldest son, Victor Mhagama, described his mother as a principled leader and a religious mentor within the family. He said she was a true patriot, raised in a politically conscious environment by her mother, who once served as the first chairperson of the CCM Women’s Wing (UWT) in Ruvuma Region.

He added that his mother strongly believed in hard work and patriotism, values she consistently upheld in her service to the nation and the people of Peramiho. .

Dar es Salaam. The Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, issued a detailed water supply schedule for areas facing water shortages across the city, confirming the resumption of distribution from the Kimara and Tegeta A water tanks.

In an official statement, Dawasa announced that water was released today from the Kimara tank to serve Ubungo, Magufuli Hostel, Mlimani City, Mwenge, Kijitonyama, Kinondoni, Sinza A, Sinza C, Makumbusho, Mwananyamala, Masaki, Mikocheni, Msasani, Aga Khan Hospital, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Upanga, and the central business district. The authority further stated that areas supplied from the Tegeta A tank today include Madawa, Nike, Magufuli, Makiriri, Kwa Bedui, Goba Health Centre, Deezy, Goba Mpakani, Madale, Mvumoni, Kulangwa, Tumaini, Lalata, Goba Wine, Kibao cha Mbuzi, Matosa Lilian Kibo, Tegeta A Junction, Uzaramoni, Binamu Mpwawa, and Maingi Primary School in Tegeta A.

Dawasa said the schedule is part of ongoing emergency measures to ensure reliable and equitable water distribution to affected residents. .

Moshi. The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, has said he is aware of reports circulating on social media regarding the arrest of a lecturer from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), noting that preliminary information indicates the arrest was related to actions undertaken outside the university, not within the institution.

Reports circulated on social media earlier Saturday, December 13, 2025 claimed that the unnamed lecturer was arrested by police for allegedly inciting students he was teaching on December 8 to participate in demonstrations on December 9, Independence Day. Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi on Saturday, December 13, Prof Mkenda said that upon seeing the reports trending online, he contacted relevant authorities to establish their accuracy, adding that the matter is being handled by the responsible authorities.

“I have seen the information circulating on social media about the lecturer being arrested for the reasons being mentioned. I spoke with the Minister for Home Affairs, who said the matter is under investigation.

However, preliminary information suggests that the lecturer was arrested due to actions carried out outside the university, not within the institution,” said Prof Mkenda. He said that lecturers enjoy academic freedom while teaching, provided they adhere to professional standards and ethical conduct, adding that police involvement in classroom teaching is neither expected nor acceptable.

“In principle, lecturers have the freedom to teach, but this must be exercised in line with professionalism and academic ethics. It is not the case that police can enter classrooms to monitor what is being taught.

If a lecturer departs from professional or ethical standards, there are internal administrative procedures within universities to address such matters,” he said. Prof Mkenda further noted that universities have established leadership and governance structures to deal with misconduct, including heads of departments, deputy vice chancellors, faculty deans and senates.

“We do not expect police to be involved in supervising how teaching is conducted in our classrooms. That would be taking matters too far.

Such a situation does not exist,” he said. Prof Mkenda further noted that universities have established leadership and governance structures to deal with misconduct, including heads of departments, deputy vice chancellors, faculty deans and senates.

“We do not expect police to be involved in supervising how teaching is conducted in our classrooms. That would be taking matters too far.

Such a situation does not exist,” he said. He reiterated that lecturers have a responsibility to teach in accordance with professional principles, ethics and competence, stressing that any breach of conduct should be addressed through existing university administrative mechanisms rather than law enforcement intervention.

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Lindi. The government is planning to establish a National Agricultural Extension Services Agency to improve the efficiency and reach of farm advisory services by allowing extension officers to serve farmers directly, without lengthy bureaucratic procedures.

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Daniel Chongolo, said the proposed agency would ensure farmers receive timely, professional guidance from extension officers, helping to raise productivity and support self-reliance in the sector. Speaking on Saturday, December 13, 2025, during the launch of Sustainable Production Guidelines for sesame and legumes, Mr Chongolo said the agency is expected to be operational by 2026. “The government plans to establish the Agricultural Extension Services Agency by 2026 so that it operates independently, similar to TARURA and RUWASA, and delivers quality services to farmers when they seek extension support,” he said.

He noted that extension services are currently delivered through local government authorities, a structure that often requires farmers to navigate lengthy administrative procedures before accessing assistance. “The need for a dedicated agency has become clear, to enable farmers to receive efficient and timely services directly from extension officers,” Mr Chongolo said, urging officers to promote optimal land use and the production of high-yield crops to drive agricultural growth.

Meanwhile, Lindi Regional Commissioner Ms Zainab Telack called on extension officers to intensify farmer education to improve productivity and strengthen agricultural value chains. She said the government-provided agricultural inputs had played a significant role in boosting crop production and raising farmers’ incomes at household, regional and national levels.

“The inputs provided by the government have contributed to increased production and improved incomes for farmers,” she said. An agricultural extension officer from Ruangwa District, Mr Jerome Stephano, welcomed the initiative, saying the establishment of the agency would enhance the delivery of quality agricultural education and improve productivity across the sector.

“The government has taken an important step. This agency will help farmers access better guidance, raise productivity and accelerate development in agriculture,” he said.

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Washington. The US is ending temporary legal status for citizens of Ethiopia in the United States, according to a government notice on Friday, as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on legal and illegal immigration.

“After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S.

Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Ethiopia no longer continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary Protected Status,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a notice posted in the Federal Register. Temporary Protected Status is available to people whose home country has experienced a natural disaster, armed conflict or other extraordinary event.

It provides eligible migrants with work authorization and temporary protection from deportation. The program was created in 1991 and under Biden was extended to cover about 600,000 Venezuelans and 521,000 Haitians.

Noem reversed the extensions in February, saying they were no longer justified. In recent months, the administration has removed the protective status for migrants from numerous countries, including Haiti, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Venezuela.

In November, Trump announced the termination of protection for Somalis in Minnesota Trump has made controlling immigration a central plank of his second White House term. Canceling TPS protections are a boost to the administration’s campaign to deport millions of people.

The cancellations have been challenged in court. The Supreme Court in October cleared the way for the administration to revoke TPS for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the United States, granting a request to put on hold a federal judge’s ruling that Noem lacked the authority to terminate the status while litigation proceeds.

The Homeland Security department also said on Friday it was no longer processing legacy cases under the Cuban and Haitian family reunification parole program, according to a post in the Federal Register. Those programs make it easier for U.

S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring family members into the country.

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Geneva. Food rations will be reduced for communities facing famine in Sudan from next month due to severe funding shortages, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

A war that erupted in 2023 between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused what the U.N.

has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Communities in the Darfur region are facing famine and malnutrition following an 18-month RSF siege around the city of Al-Fashir.

“We will be having to reduce from January to 70% rations for communities that are facing famine, and 50% for those that are at risk of famine,” Ross Smith, the WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response told reporters in Geneva, speaking via video link from Rome. “As of April we will fall off a cliff when it comes to funding,” he added.

The U.N.

estimates that more than 100,000 people have fled from al-Fashir since its capture by the RSF in late October, with about 15,000 arriving in Tawila, a small nearby town under the control of neutral forces. The U.

N. says 650,000 people are now sheltered there in total, with hundreds of thousands of refugees having fled there during previous fighting from Zam Zam camp in April.

While the WFP is able to provide food to people in Tawila, it requires $700 million to maintain its assistance over the next six months across Sudan. class=”article-picture” 9 class=”article-picture_caption” 3 Displaced people ride a an animal-drawn cart, following Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks on Zamzam displacement camp, in the town of Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan April 15, 2025. WFP also raised concern that the humanitarian response was not able to keep pace with needs on the ground in Tawila due to logistical challenges such as negotiation approvals to move between areas as well funding challenges.

“These are families that have endured famine for many months on end and mass atrocities, and are now living in overcrowded conditions with very limited support,” Smith said, pointing to very limited available health services and people living in precarious shelters made of straw. Both the army and RSF have been accused by human rights groups of war crimes, charges they deny.

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