Category: The Citizen

By Juma Shabani Dar es Salaam. The November 26, 2025 suicide of University of Dodoma (Udom) student Saidi Kabuga has reignited a debate on the mental health crisis facing young people, with experts warning that the growing number of cases may be only “a tip of the iceberg”.

Kabuga, who reportedly threw himself into a well, was initially said to have been driven by gambling. However, his family disputes this narrative, saying he was not a habitual gambler and may instead have been overwhelmed by academic stress after failing a key subject.

His death adds to a troubling pattern. Just 10 days before the Udom incident, police reported that a student at the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), Goodluck Charles survived a suicide attempt after stabbing himself in the neck.

On May 13, 2025, the Kilimanjaro Regional Police Force confirmed that Erick Sawe, a student at the Kilimanjaro College of Health and Allied Sciences (KICHAS), allegedly took his own life due to overwhelming debt. And in July, authorities reported that Tumaini University student Emmanus Kajura died by suicide on 25 June.

Although these cases have drawn public attention, mental health experts and international organisations warn that the problem is neither isolated nor unique to Tanzania. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on March 25, 2025 that more than 720,000 people die by suicide globally each year, making it the leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29. In Tanzania, the true scale of the crisis remains unclear due to a lack of comprehensive data, limited school counselling structures and persistent stigma around mental health.

Higher expectations than reality Psychologist Charles Nduku said many young people struggle under the weight of unrealistic expectations, social pressures and emotional immaturity. “There are two main reasons why many young people experience suicide incidents,” he explained.

“The first is having higher expectations than reality, often fuelled by the desire to live an imaginary life, and the second is low emotional maturity. Many young people face challenges with intense emotions that lead to difficult decisions.

Economic hardships and social media lifestyles also play a role.” Mr Nduku advised parents to be more involved in their children’s emotional development, warning against sending very young children to boarding schools before they are emotionally ready.

He also urged institutions to prepare students for the realities of campus life, including peer pressure, exploitation and social dynamics. A generational upbringing gap Secretary of the Tanzania Psychologists Association (Tapa), Barnabas Nkinga, said the surge in suicide cases is also linked to identity struggles, social conflicts, poverty and biological changes, particularly for girls who face sexual abuse and associated trauma.

“Lack of emotional stability is a major factor, especially between ages 15 and 24,” he said. “Many young people are still developing, and when their behaviours conflict with the foundations of society, they sink into self-blame and self-harm.

” He criticised what he called a widening “upbringing gap”, saying many parents fail to appreciate the differences between past and present generations. “Most parents think the current generation is corrupt or immoral, and they scold or accuse young people harshly.

Meanwhile, schools still lack professional counsellors. As such, teachers act as both disciplinarians and counsellors, making it hard for students to open up,” he said.

Mr Nkinga urged parents to “listen and love their children”, adding: “Let us be farmers, not carpenters. A farmer nurtures; a child needs to be cared for and listened to.

” He also called on the government to develop policies and laws that support psychological services in institutions. Institutions step up support At the Muslim University of Morogoro, the dean of students, Dr Hassan Mohammed Issa said institutions are working to strengthen student welfare systems.

“We have a dean of students, a counselling desk and a gender desk to ensure we understand youth challenges and create space for students to express themselves,” he said. Dr Issa noted that some students hide academic or relationship problems from their families, but MUM is increasingly involving guardians to create a stronger support network.

He urged government bodies, faith-based organisations and the media to work together in shaping young people’s attitudes, saying issues like gambling and unhealthy relationships can be addressed through early intervention. Students speak out Students acknowledge that help exists but many fail to seek it.

A Mass Communication student at MUM, Rahma Hamza Kubeha, said the reluctance of students to share their problems contributes to the rise in cases. “If students made use of help desks, these incidents would not increase,” she said.

“We should talk to each other, our families and our institutions. Suicide is not a solution; we must think of those who depend on us.

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Arusha. The government has unveiled a major initiative to deploy modern technology to combat poaching and safeguard wildlife, as part of broader efforts to protect national heritage and strengthen the tourism sector, which contributes 21 percent of the country’s GDP.

Opening the 15th Tawiri International Scientific Conference, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Tourism Affairs Nkoba Mabula said Tanzania is taking strategic steps to enhance monitoring systems, data collection and statistical analysis through innovative technologies to confront poaching and emerging ecological threats. “Tanzania is one of the world’s mega biodiversity countries.

Over 32.5 percent of our land is designated for conservation. This is a blessing but also a responsibility.

To protect these resources, we need technology, innovation and science-led decision-making,” Mr Mabula said. He cited drones, artificial intelligence for gunshot detection, GPS wildlife collars and digital data management systems as key tools already accelerating anti-poaching efforts.

Mr Mabula said findings from the upcoming National Wildlife Census will set new benchmarks for identifying high-risk areas, tracking species trends and designing rapid-response interventions. “This is the power of data.

This is the power of science,” he said, urging researchers to ensure their papers offer practical solutions that can strengthen the resilience of the tourism sector. Tanzania aims to welcome eight million tourists by 2030, up from five million in 2025, and the government says it is prepared to implement recommendations emerging from scientific research, including increased budget allocations for technology.

The government has allocated Sh9.3 billion and approved new positions for conservation officers and rangers to enhance wildlife monitoring and protect critical habitats. Construction of a new Sh93 billion TAWIRI headquarters has also been approved to support long-term scientific research capacity.

Tawiri Director Dr Ernest Mjingo said evolving poaching tactics demand significant investment in technology and research. “For conservation to be sustainable, science must be our compass.

Technologies such as thermal imaging drones, gunshot detection systems, big data analytics and GPS tracking of elephants and rhinos have already reduced poaching and boosted wildlife populations,” he said. Dr Mjingo added that stronger anti-poaching systems are not only about conservation but also protecting Tanzania’s economy, noting that tourism contributes 21 percent of GDP, 25 percent of foreign exchange and supports over 1.

6 million people. The conference has attracted more than 600 participants from 24 countries and features over 248 scientific papers, seminars, workshops and discussions focused on tackling conservation challenges such as poaching, climate change and habitat loss.

WWF Resident Director Prof Noah Sitati said 80 percent of Tanzania’s tourists come for wildlife, making research and technology central to policy-making and sustaining the tourism industry. The conference, themed “Innovations in Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Tourism: Navigating the Future in a Changing World”, aims to disseminate research findings and strengthen collaboration among researchers, policymakers and conservation stakeholders.

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Arusha. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) has ordered the Government of Kenya to immediately pay $1.21 million in compensation to the Ogiek community for failing to protect their land rights, identity, and cultural survival.

The ruling came during a compliance hearing in Arusha on Thursday, December 4, 2025, following a public session held on June 4, 2025. The Court noted that Kenya has failed to implement earlier judgments, including the 2017 merits ruling and the 2022 reparations decision. The Court directed Kenya to pay $438,900 for material damages and $770,000 for moral damages.

It also emphasised that Kenya must recognise the Ogiek as an Indigenous people, demarcate and secure their ancestral land, and issue collective land titles. Despite reports that Kenya had established task forces and engaged in consultations, the Court said these measures “fall far short of the legally required level of compliance.

” It stressed that consultations must be genuine, culturally respectful, and include actual decision-making by the community. The Court further noted that Kenya had not set up the Ogiek Community Development Fund or its management committee, nor published the 2017 and 2022 judgments as required.

Delays cited by Kenya due to political transitions were dismissed by the Court. Kenya was also reminded to address leases and special-use arrangements on Ogiek land, ensuring structured consultations with affected parties for compensation or restoration.

The Ogiek community continues to face evictions, destruction of homes, and denial of land rights. The Court stressed that full implementation of existing rulings is sufficient to protect them and declined to issue new provisional measures.

The case, Application No. 006/2012, was brought by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It stems from long-standing disputes over the Mau Forest, ancestral home to an estimated 20,000 Ogiek, 15,000 of whom still live in the forest complex covering roughly 400,000 hectares. In 2009, the Kenya Forestry Service issued a 30-day eviction notice to the Ogiek.

A complaint was subsequently lodged with the African Commission, which referred the matter to the African Court in 2012 .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is entering a critical week as security agencies intensify surveillance and preventive measures ahead of December 9, following what authorities describe as a coordinated plan by groups mobilising for “indefinite demonstrations” that the police say are aimed at disrupting national stability.

In a strongly worded public statement yesterday, the Tanzania Police Force warned that orchestrated calls circulating on social media for mass action on December 9 pose a significant threat to public safety, echoing the violence and destruction witnessed during the November 29 unrest. “This is a serious crime that continues to be incited such a situation, in any country in the world, is a major threat to people’s lives, the national economy and social wellbeing,” the police said.

According to the police, the mobilisation is not about peaceful protest but a deliberate effort to trigger chaos on a national scale. Authorities say the groups behind the campaign have issued explicit instructions online, including encouraging individuals trained in the use of firearms to “take charge” on the day of the unrest.

“They are instructing one another that anyone who does not know how to use a firearm on that day should not hold a weapon and should leave it to those who have received training,” the statement reads, suggesting that organisers are in possession of weapons and intend to use them. The police further outlined a list of planned disruptions, including burning telecommunications towers to “ensure the whole country loses communication”, blocking all roads in and out of Tanzania, shutting down operations at the Dar es Salaam Port and storming hospitals to paralyse medical services.

The groups are also reportedly encouraging looting, youth-led attacks on property, and violence targeting civil servants. Some messages circulating online threaten decapitations and attacks on neighbourhoods seen as opposing the mobilisation.

“They say those who are inciting and those who are being incited we will find them having cut off each other’s heads out there in the streets,” the police warned. Authorities describe these plans as a direct attempt to cripple economic activity and instil fear nationwide.

“Indefinite demonstrations mean that you want goods not to reach the market–so what shall we eat?” the police statement said, highlighting concerns that ordinary citizens would bear the greatest burden of such disruptions. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also spoken forcefully on the matter, signalling that the State is prepared to prevent any attempt to destabilise the country.

Addressing the Dar es Salaam Council of Elders a day before the Police statement, the Head of State said Tanzania was still healing from the shock of the late-November violence and would not allow destructive elements to reverse national progress. Without mentioning specific groups, President Hassan said the government’s response to any threat was rooted in duty and constitutional obligation.

She told elders that intelligence reports had exposed organised attempts to overthrow the government and paralyse key institutions. “We will defend this country,” she insisted, emphasising that peace was too valuable to be taken for granted.

Her remarks align with ongoing security operations aimed at preventing further unrest. A country still grappling with trauma The events of November 29 left deep scars, with businesses looted, property destroyed and residents terrified by the intensity of street violence as well as loss of life.

Many Tanzanians are still recovering from the psychological and economic aftershocks. The police noted that some individuals inciting fresh unrest have vowed “not to accept the losses” incurred during the previous disturbance and are preparing to “protect their families, lives and property” by any means necessary on December 9.

The police emphasised that they are monitoring “dangerous groups” on social media promoting the unrest, adding that arrests have already been made for cybercrimes and incitement. The police urged Tanzanians to reject the mobilisation, warning that those driving the campaign “have intentions to destroy our nation and return us to the suffering” experienced in November.

The statement encouraged families and communities to remain vigilant and resist manipulation by individuals whose actions could plunge the country into prolonged instability. With year-end festivities approaching, the police encouraged residents to proceed with their preparations but to prioritise safety.

Travellers were advised to secure their homes, follow traffic rules and cooperate with security authorities. Reassuring the public, the police concluded: “The Police Force assures all peace-loving citizens that it will continue to protect the interests of the nation, the lives of its people and their property, and will ensure that peace, calm and security continue to be strengthened in the country.

” As December 9 approaches, Tanzania stands at a tense crossroads–balancing the promise of peace against the threat of coordinated disruption, and relying on its institutions, leadership and citizens to safeguard national stability. .

Dar es Salaam. The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has arrested two lovers after they were allegedly found in possession of a new and highly dangerous batch of narcotics believed to be used in criminal activities due to their ability to induce deep sleep, erase memory and heighten physical stimulation.

This is Tanzania’s first recorded seizure of 738 tablets of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), weighing 177.78 grammes, and 24 tablets of Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), weighing 10.03 grammes. Rohypnol is a powerful sedative widely known for its misuse in serious crimes.

The suspects, Cuthbert Kalokola, 34, and Murath Abdallah, 19, were arrested at Sinza D in Dar es Salaam during a DCEA operation acting on intelligence information. DCEA Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo said on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 that Kalokola was the first to be apprehended and he later led officers to Murath.

Mr Lyimo said Kalokola directed investigators to the house where Murath was staying. During questioning, it emerged that the drugs belonged to him, but both were held because they were living together.

Ms Murath claimed she did not know the substances were narcotics, telling officers that Mr Kalokola had said they were painkillers. Mr Lyimo urged young women to exercise caution in relationships where they are unaware of their partners’ activities, noting that Ms Murath frequently ran away from home to stay with someone deeply involved in drug trafficking.

Commissioner Lyimo further revealed that Mr Kalokola admitted smuggling the drugs from the United Kingdom, where he previously lived and became linked to drug networks. He allegedly transported consignments through Kampala, Uganda, then into Tanzania via unofficial border routes.

After dropping off packages in Kampala, they were moved to the border, where motorcycle riders smuggled them through footpaths to avoid inspection before delivering them to him inside Tanzania. “These drugs can cause deep sleep, memory loss, high blood pressure and even heart attacks.

They are highly addictive, and some people misuse them believing they enhance sexual performance,” he said. He said that Mr Kalokola is suspected of supplying clients in high-end hotels, with some users deploying the substances to commit crimes including fraud and sexual assault.

“Even a small amount slipped into a drink can render someone unconscious, placing women at particular risk,” he warned. In separate operations, more arrests were recorded.

At Mbezi Maramba Mawili, the DCEA arrested seven suspects, Jaribu Tindwa (38), Ally Meshe (39), Juma Mfamo (20), Rahim Nampanda (28), Abubakari Ally (20), Nurdin Rashid (36) and Farid Rashid (33), after seizing 90 kilogrammes of cannabis (skunk) hidden inside solar-panel tanks loaded onto a bus travelling between Tanzania and Malawi. At the Kasesya border in Rukwa, another suspect, 26-year-old Godwin Andrew, was arrested with 244.3 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in speakers, air-cooling machines, lawn cutters and computer CPU casings.

The shipment was being transported in a South African-registered Iveco van operated by Makamua Logistics Limited. In a separate development, the High Court Division of Corruption and Economic Sabotage has ordered the forfeiture of assets valued at Sh3.3 billion.

The assets, four houses, six plots and 11 vehicles, belonged to Saleh Basleman and Gawar Fakir, and were proven to be proceeds of drug trafficking. The confiscation was effected under the Proceeds of Crime Act (Cap 256), the Economic and Organised Crime Control Act (Cap 200), and the Drug Control and Enforcement Act of 2015. Mr Lyimo said the court order followed extensive investigations confirming that the properties were acquired through drug-related activities.

He stressed that asset forfeiture remains essential in the fight against organised crime, noting that imprisonment alone cannot deter offenders. “Taking away illegal gains prevents criminals from benefiting from their unlawful activities,” he said.

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On a breezy Sunday evening, contemporary artist Elisa Zorzi opened the doors to her second solo exhibition in Dar es Salaam, Portals, at the Golden Tulip hotel. The event drew nearly 200 carefully selected guests, all eager to experience the city’s latest contribution to contemporary art.

Zorzi’s work has long been celebrated for its bold fusion of abstract and neo-expressionist brushstrokes. In Portals, she takes her artistic exploration further, experimenting with mixed media, including textiles, palm tree textures, and locally sourced materials.

The result is a collection that is both visually striking and immersive, inviting viewers to step through what she calls “portals of the subconscious.” Each painting is not merely a visual object but an experience, a space where emotion, memory, and imagination converge.

The exhibition left a strong impression on attendees, who praised both Zorzi’s technique and her creative vision. Samina Sashak shares, “The expression is very good, the colours are very good.

And yes, I definitely can take something and introduce it to my art also, as a background or something. Beautiful combination of colours.

” She adds that the paintings evoked movement and natural beauty: “It’s kind of showing the sea Zanzibar a beautiful waterfall. I like that there are other materials.

It seems that it’s moving, it’s fun and alive.” Model and designer Niler Bernard echoes the sentiment, describing the exhibition as “deeply personal, yet beautifully expressed, almost like art in motion.

The ambience was enchanting, the atmosphere so thoughtfully set, and every detail fell perfectly into place. There was a quiet charm running through it all and honestly, I loved every moment!” For Zorzi, these reactions are the essence of her work.

She explains that her goal is for viewers to reflect, meditate, and discover parts of themselves in her art. “I want the observer to enter a different world,” she says.

“They may find intuition, freedom, or confront something hidden within themselves. Abstract is like music, Mozart or Beethoven, they create symphonies, but people feel them differently.

That’s how I want my work to be experienced.” Zorzi’s journey into the world of mixed media began in Brussels, where she stumbled upon a store overflowing with materials of every colour and texture imaginable.

“I felt like a child seeing little stones full of colour. I went crazy.

I bought everything, mixed, poured, and experimented. From there, I really enjoyed it, and I said, Okay, this is part of my life now,” she recalls.

Her early exhibitions were small, intimate affairs held in unconventional venues. “I didn’t have money to go into galleries, so a lady offered her house for free.

I created the ambience, served some wine, and invited selected clients.” She further details, “The secret, I think, is creating a connection.

Only with ambience and connection do you truly reach the audience.” Despite working for the European Union delegation, a role that has taken her across multiple countries, Zorzi maintains that her professional life complements her art.

“I need serenity to produce. If I don’t have peace of mind, I cannot create.

A stable job gives me freedom, I can do what I want without anxiety about bills. That’s real freedom.

” In Portals, Zorzi continues to push boundaries. She has experimented with encaustic painting, which uses coloured wax, creating a layered effect that is tactile and visually dynamic.

She hopes to continue exploring materials and techniques that few others are working with locally. “I want to discover, experiment, and have fun with my art.

That’s how I grow.” Her work reflects a deep philosophical approach.

Abstract art, for her, is a mirror for the subconscious. It is about emotion, intuition, and personal interpretation.

“When people stop in front of a painting and feel something, I know I’ve reached them,” she says. “That’s my turning point, when the work truly moves people.

” Away from the studio, Zorzi indulges in other creative pursuits. Photography and cooking are extensions of her artistic sensibilities, while music, particularly Semba from Angola, provides rhythm and inspiration.

She keeps tuned to contemporary trends, seeking to stay current and connected with younger generations. Dar es Salaam itself, particularly the coastline at sunrise, serves as a sanctuary for her creativity.

“I need slow mornings, coffee, calmness. That’s when I paint best,” she notes.

Her son remains her anchor, keeping her grounded amidst ambition and exploration. While Zorzi’s work is gaining recognition locally, she has her sights on international audiences.

Galleries in Europe and the US have expressed interest, though logistical and financial challenges have tempered expansion. Her approach remains deliberate, “I want to reach people who can truly experience the emotional depth of my work.

One or two exhibitions alone don’t make sense; I need a platform where it resonates.” Portals ultimately offer more than visual appeal.

It is a carefully orchestrated experience, blending colour, texture, and atmosphere to create a space where the subconscious comes alive. As visitors wander the exhibition, they are invited to pause, reflect, and discover, both in the work and within themselves.

In a city increasingly alive with contemporary creativity, Elisa Zorzi’s Portals represents a bold step in Dar es Salaam’s evolving art landscape. It is at once personal, playful, and profound, a window into a world where the boundaries between the observer and the observed dissolve, leaving only reflection, emotion, and imagination.

“I want people to stop in front of a painting and feel it. When that happens, I know I’ve reached them,” she concludes.

With Portals, Zorzi has not only created a collection of paintings but also a journey, an invitation to explore the infinite possibilities of the subconscious mind. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan addressed the nation on December 2, 2025, explaining the government’s response to the election-related unrest that erupted on October 29. She detailed several factors that led to the security bodies’ decisive actions.

During her address to the Dar es Salaam Region Council of Elders at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), President Hassan stated that the unrest in Tanzania following the general election was not a spontaneous expression of public frustration. class=”article-picture” 6.5 class=”article-picture_caption” 8 A section of elders clap during a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

PHOTO | STATE HOUSE Instead, she claimed it was a planned operation aimed at destabilizing and ultimately overthrowing the government. Her remarks came as the country continued to face lingering tensions, sporadic acts of violence, and warnings from security authorities about efforts to mobilize young people ahead of December 9.

She asserted that the events of October 29 should not be viewed as protests but rather as “a manufactured event with a political agenda.” According to President Hassan, intelligence assessments indicate that the chaos was meticulously planned, funded, and coordinated by actors both within and outside the country.

“What took place was a manufactured event, and those who orchestrated it were determined to overthrow our government,” she said. “This was not an accident.

Those behind it had more significant intentions; they aimed to topple our state.” She described the violence as “a broad project of evil” with identifiable sponsors, supporters and implementers.

The President explained that the individuals involved had varying degrees of awareness: some were fully conscious participants, others were misled by political promises, and a portion, she noted, were paid to take part in the unrest. “We are accustomed to lawful demonstrations,” she added.

“However, burning government projects, police facilities, and private businesses is not a protest. Those were organized riots with a specific purpose.

” President Hassan questioned why this orchestrated violence occurred on Election Day itself. “What lesser response was expected from us?” she asked.

“Should we have simply watched as those who plotted an overthrow succeeded? Would that still result in a functioning state?” She compared Tanzania’s response to actions taken by governments globally when protests verge on insurrection. “We have seen in other countries that when demonstrations head in a dangerous direction, governments use strong measures,” she said.

Role of opposition parties The President accused unnamed opposition parties of attempting to shift blame for their electoral decisions onto the government. She said claims that opposition candidates were blocked from participating in the elections were false and aimed at “hiding their own embarrassment.

” “They knew they would not succeed because of the work we have done over the past five years and the public response to CCM’s campaigns,” she said. “No one prevented them from participating.

They refused on their own will after their internal discussions.” She said intelligence briefings showed that some opposition leaders avoided entering the polls to escape defeat.

“To conceal the embarrassment they would have faced, they triggered what happened,” she explained. “If there were rights they intended to demand, why choose Election Day?” President Hassan said the internal fractures within opposition groups, including defections to other parties and disputes between political and activist wings, were being unfairly projected onto the government.

“These are their own internal issues; they should not blame us,” she said. She expressed disappointment, recalling moments when she extended “a hand of reconciliation” during her early years in office.

She said she financially supported some returning exiles, facilitated the dropping of cases, and allowed opposition parties to resume political activities, including peaceful demonstrations. “I did all this believing I was speaking to mature Tanzanians,” she said.

“But if you give someone political space and they use it to disrupt the country, that is not politics.” The youth: Misled and mobilised A significant portion of the President’s address focused on the involvement of young people in the October unrest.

“Our young people were drawn into the streets, chanting slogans they didn’t understand,” she said. “They were told they were demanding rights–what rights? Which ones, specifically?” She questioned the claim that the youth poured into the streets due to economic hardship.

“A person genuinely struggling for survival does not march chanting songs,” she argued. “Most young people facing hardship were at work.

Those who joined had their own motives.” According to the President, the unrest revealed a deeper national challenge that young people were growing up without proper guidance and patriotic education.

“That is why I said we must establish a full Ministry of Youth, not just a unit within a larger ministry,” she explained. “Our youth had no reason to be in the streets; they were simply sent there and made to chant things that were not in their interest.

” Religious institutions: “Stay within constitutional limits” President Hassan also addressed concerns over the involvement of some religious voices in the unfolding political tensions. “In leadership, you must accept that at times you will lose popularity,” she said.

“But we must correct things and speak the truth.” She reiterated that the Constitution does not grant any religious denomination the authority to issue directives overriding others.

“No denomination has constitutional or legal authority to overrule another,” she said. “Tanzania has no single owner.

Nobody holds a certificate saying this country is theirs to run as they wish.” She urged religious leaders to avoid assuming powers beyond their spiritual mandate.

“Do not drape yourselves in robes suggesting you can overrun this nation. We will run this country by its Constitution and its laws,” she stressed.

The President said she had observed divisions within some religious groups over public statements issued in recent weeks. Despite these disagreements, she urged religious leaders to promote unity, peace and adherence to national laws.

“If you do not like Samia, there is no need to disrupt the country,” she said. “Whether the leader is a man or a woman, authority is given by God.

And we will defend this nation with all our strength.” Foreign coordinators and external pressure President Hassan warned that some of the unrest was supported by coordinators based outside Tanzania.

Some, she said, were motivated by personal economic difficulties abroad, while others were financially backed by actors seeking influence. “Some are paid by those who want these events to happen,” she said.

“They lack patriotism. And for some, Tanzania’s stability does not matter–they live abroad, unaffected.

” She also addressed what she described as attempts by foreign actors to “lecture Tanzania on how to manage its domestic affairs.” “They say Tanzania should do this and that.

Who are you?” she asked. “Is it because of the small amounts of money you give us?” Her comments came days after the European Union Parliament adopted a resolution to suspend 156 million Euros (about S00 billion) in aid earmarked for Tanzania in 2026, pending investigations into alleged human rights violations.

The suspended funds amount to roughly 0.7 percent of Tanzania’s national budget for 2025/26, which stands at Sh56.49 trillion.

Of this, S0.47 trillion is expected from domestic revenue, Sh1.07 trillion from foreign grants, and Sh14.95 trillion from domestic and external loans. In its resolution, which was adopted by 539 votes in favour, no votes against, with 27 abstentions, the EU MPs said there should be a fair investigation into suspects of killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other violations in Tanzania and insisted on the need for an African-led inquiry commission.

“The money is too little,” she President Hassan. “We are now talking about doing business where both sides benefit.

” The government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has since confirmed ongoing negotiations with the EU, with the final decision on the cooperation resting with the EU Commission. On calls for a new constitution Responding to renewed demands for a new constitution, President Hassan said the government had never rejected constitutional reform.

“No one has refused to amend the Constitution of this country,” she said. She reminded the elders that the Criminal Justice Reform Commission she formed had travelled nationwide gathering citizens’ views, and that 90 percent of the short- and medium-term recommendations had already been implemented.

“The long-term issue remaining is the new constitution,” she said. “And I have said we will implement it.

” She added that the CCM election manifesto commits her to forming a commission within 100 days to establish national consensus before entering the constitutional process. “How do you amend national laws when you are divided into pieces?” she asked.

“We must first reconcile.” Given the recent unrest, she said she had established a new investigative commission whose findings would inform the path forward.

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Dar es Salaam. After demanding and disappointing outings in the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam FC and Singida Black Stars return to domestic duty tonight in what promises to be a tense and high stakes Mainland Tanzania Premier League encounter at the Azam Complex.

Both teams enter the fixture carrying the weight of continental setbacks. Azam FC, under Congolese tactician Florent Ibenge, endured a difficult campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup, losing both group stage matches.

They first fell 20 away to Maniema Union in Kinshasa, DR Congo, before suffering a narrow 10 home defeat to Moroccan giants Wydad Club Athletic at the New Amaan Complex. The losses not only dented their continental ambitions but also exposed weaknesses that require immediate attention if the team is to regain confidence.

Singida Black Stars also faced their share of challenges on the continental stage. The Tanzanian representatives opened with a 20 defeat to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad before steadying themselves with a 11 draw against South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC, also at the New Amaan Complex.

Although they returned with a valuable point, the team still carries a sense of unfinished business as they shift focus back to the Premier League. Tonight’s match, scheduled to start at 9 pm, is expected to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the week.

Both sides are determined to recover and reposition themselves favourably in the league standings. Azam FC currently sit in 15th place with five points from three matches, an unfamiliar position for a club of their stature.

Singida Black Stars are in 11th place with seven points from the same number of fixtures. Despite their struggles in continental competitions, Azam’s domestic form under Ibenge remains steady.

The ice cream makers have recorded one win and two draws in the league, remaining unbeaten and showing signs of resilience that could prove crucial tonight. Singida Black Stars, guided by experienced Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi, have been slightly more impressive with two wins and one draw so far.

JKT Tanzania currently lead the league with 16 points from nine matches, but both Azam and Singida know that a victory tonight could significantly close the gap and reshape their early season ambitions. Historically, the statistics heavily favour Azam FC.

The two clubs have met seven times since 2020, with Azam winning six of those encounters. Singida Black Stars have managed only one victory against the Chamazi based side, a record Gamondi is determined to challenge.

For Ibenge, maintaining his strong record against Singida is essential, not only for morale but also to steady the trajectory of Azam’s league campaign. With both coaches eager to prove a point and both squads desperate to regain momentum, tonight’s clash is more than just another fixture.

It is a test of resilience, character, tactical discipline and hunger for redemption. .

Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels traded accusations of ceasefire violations on Tuesday, two days before the White House is set to host the signing of an accord to end fighting in the country’s east. The United States and Qatar have been mediating talks aimed at restoring peace in North and South Kivu provinces where clashes have displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Rwanda has denied backing M23, which says it is fighting to protect Tutsi communities in eastern Congo. Both sides accused the other on Tuesday of trying to sabotage the peace deals with attacks in South Kivu.

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) said its troops had come under attack in Kaziba, Katogota and Lubarika from the M23 rebel group and its allies. “These attacks clearly show the coalition’s intention to sabotage the Washington and Doha peace agreements,” army spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge said in a statement.

Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance that includes M23, said on X that Congolese forces, together with the Burundian army and other allies, had launched attacks in the same province since morning. “Faced with this violation of the ceasefire within the framework of the Doha peace process, the [alliance] has no choice but to defend itself and protect civilian populations,” he said.

The alliance’s spokesperson and M23’s president made similar assertions in posts on X. U.

S. President Donald Trumpis scheduled to host the leaders of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday to sign a peace agreement.

M23 staged a lightning advance in eastern Congo this year, seizing the region’s two largest cities and raising fears of a wider war. .

Nyang’hwale. Small-scale miners across the country will now operate under stronger legal safeguards following a regulatory overhaul tightening controls over mining licences, foreign participation and revenue-sharing arrangements.

The reforms were outlined by the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, during a stakeholder meeting at Kasuguya gold mine in Nyang’hwale District. Addressing miners, youth groups, traders and local leaders from the Mbogwe Mining Region, which covers Bukombe, Nyang’hwale and Mbogwe, Mr Mavunde said the new measures aim to correct long-standing abuses and ensure Tanzanians, particularly small-scale operators, benefit more fairly from the country’s mineral wealth.

He said the mining sector has contributed Sh1 trillion to Government revenue, with about 40 per cent coming from small-scale miners. Tanzania remains among Africa’s top gold producers, and since the Bank of Tanzania began buying gold directly in October 2024, it has already acquired 15 tonnes.

“These gains have been driven by miners in places like Nyang’hwale,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure the rules protect the people doing the hard work.

” Local leaders, including Nyang’hwale MP Hussein Nassor Amar Kasu and District Commissioner Grace Kingalame, commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating mining blocks to small-scale operators and urged cancellation of dormant licences. The MP said small-scale miners in Nyang’hwale alone have contributed more than Sh20 billion to national revenue.

Regional small-scale miners’ secretary Misana Nyabange raised concern about the sharp rise in cyanide prices, which have increased from about Sh650,000 to more than Sh1 million per 50-kilogramme container. Youth representative Hamisi Mohammed said young people form the backbone of small-scale mining but remain stuck in casual work.

He called for fairer revenue-sharing and dedicated blocks for youth groups. Responding, Mr Mavunde said the issues raised were central to recent amendments to the Mining Act and the Mining (Mineral Rights) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025. A new rule requires written, approved contracts before miners can operate within a primary mining licence (PML) area.

Licence holders must keep a register of pit operators and compensate them if asked to leave. Existing miners must also be given priority in any new investment arrangement.

He stressed that “renting out” PMLs is illegal and said all dealings must be transparent and recorded with the Resident Mining Office. Nationally, the Government has cancelled licences covering 741,000 acres that were being hoarded without development and ordered a review of 191 exploration licences in the GeitaMbogwe area.

Foreigners are barred from operating directly under PMLs, with their role limited to technical support. Any group seeking such support must receive Mining Commission approval.

A new minimum revenue-sharing rule requires at least 30 per cent of proceeds to remain with the licence holder. The Minister added that 15 drilling rigs will soon be deployed to support small-scale miners, while mineral laboratories in Chunya, Dodoma and Geita will help reduce testing costs.

On the surge in cyanide prices, he said he has convened a meeting with relevant agencies to address domestic supply challenges. “Young people in Nyang’hwale rely on mining,” he said.

“Let us use these new protections wisely so the sector can transform lives.” .