Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Africa is moving to overhaul its pension systems in a historic shift aimed at bringing informal workers, who make up the overwhelming majority of the continent’s labour force, into retirement savings schemes through digital micro-pension platforms.

The decision was reached during the All-Africa Pension Summit held at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Kampala, where pension fund heads, government representatives and multilateral institutions agreed that pension reform in Africa can no longer focus solely on investment returns. Instead, the priority must be expanding pension access to those who have been locked out because they do not have formal employment contracts or predictable monthly incomes.

According to data presented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa, Africa holds between $700 billion and $1 trillion in pension assets. However, only 6.

1 percent of working-age Africans and 8.9 percent of the continent’s entire labour force contribute to a pension scheme.

She said this makes Africa the world’s least pension-covered region, despite having a youthful and rapidly expanding workforce. “Pensions in Africa must not be a privilege for the few with formal employment,” she said.

“We should design systems that allow informal workers to save flexible amounts that match how they earn.” Eziakonwa said that informal workers — including market traders, boda boda riders, small-scale farmers and domestic workers — are excluded not because they lack the will to save, but because pension systems were designed for people with fixed monthly salaries.

She told participants that new pension models need to match the reality of informal workers whose earnings fluctuate daily or weekly, and whose financial lives are centered on mobile money transactions rather than bank accounts. She said digital micro-pension platforms will allow workers to save any amount, at any time, through their phones.

According to UNDP estimates shared during the summit, micro-pension systems could unlock between $10 billion and $14 billion annually from informal-sector savings. Eziakonwa added that Africa’s pension challenge is not only low coverage, but also the lack of diversity in how pension funds are invested.

Pension funds, she said, remain conservative, with more than 80 percent of assets in some markets invested in government bonds instead of higher-impact sectors like infrastructure or climate-related projects. “African pension funds offer long-term patient capital,” she said.

“But if only a small percentage of workers contribute to these funds, we are limiting our potential before we even start.” The summit heard that pension assets are concentrated in a few countries.

South Africa alone accounts for between 40 and 50 percent of Africa’s total pension assets, valued at around $347.2 billion. Nigeria, Kenya and Botswana follow at a distance.

According to UNDP, pension funds globally hold about $60 trillion in assets, meaning Africa contributes less than two percent of global pension capital. Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija, said African governments must recognise that expanding pension access is a development strategy.

“We are committed to policy reforms that unlock pension capital as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said. Kasaija said Uganda is currently transitioning its public service pension scheme into a contributory system to ensure sustainability and intends to widen pension access to include self-employed and informal workers.

He told delegates that pension reforms are aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which prioritises industrialisation, job creation, science, technology and innovation. Uganda reported that real GDP grew to 6.

3 percent in the 2024/2025 financial year, up from 6.1 percent the previous year.

Inflation remained below 5 percent, and the poverty rate is projected to fall to 56 percent from almost 60 percent recorded in 2020. Kasaija emphasised that the expansion of pension coverage would deepen domestic savings and reduce reliance on external borrowing. “We must implement, not just discuss,” he said.

“Let us meet again in 2027 to present progress, not ideas.” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who officially closed the summit, challenged African governments to stop depending on foreign financing and instead use domestic resources to fuel development.

He said Africa’s historical problem has never been a shortage of natural resources or labour, but the lack of capital. “Africa has always had land and labour,” he said.

“What we have lacked is capital. Pension funds offer the capital we need.

We should use our own resources to address the infrastructure gaps that undermine the growth of businesses.” Museveni said Uganda’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has demonstrated that pension money can be used for development after it invested in renewable energy and housing projects.

He told delegates that African countries must move beyond simply building infrastructure to ensuring that such infrastructure enables citizens to create wealth. He stressed that infrastructure by itself is not enough if Africans do not use it to generate income.

“Development alone is not enough. It must lead to wealth creation for households,” he said.

During the summit, Eziakonwa highlighted examples of ongoing reforms. South Africa has recently introduced a “Two-Pot” pension system allowing contributors to access part of their savings before retirement while protecting long-term reserves.

South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation has invested over $800 million in renewable energy, contributing more than 2,000 megawatts of power. Nigeria’s pension fund reforms, which have accumulated over 22.8 trillion (approximately $14.2 billion), have enabled investments in infrastructure, power generation and healthcare.

Kenya has introduced micro-pension schemes that allow informal workers to save via mobile-based platforms. All commitments and outcomes reached during the summit were captured in the Kampala Declaration, a framework that outlines shared priorities across African pension authorities.

The declaration includes commitments to adopt digital pension platforms, expand pension coverage to informal workers, and harmonise regulations that restrict pension funds from investing across borders. In addition, the Declaration establishes an Implementation Working Group and a monitoring system that allows participating countries to track progress.

Eziakonwa, however, in her address she stressed that the success of the reforms will depend on political will. “We must build systems where retirement security fuels national prosperity,” she said.

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Dar es Salaam. Simba SC head coach Dimitar Pantev has praised his players for their resilience and determination after leading the team to a 21 victory over JKT Tanzania in his first-ever Tanzania Mainland Premier League match.

The Bulgarian tactician, who was recently appointed to guide the Msimbazi giants through domestic and continental competitions, admitted that his debut encounter provided valuable insight into how competitive the Tanzanian league is. “I’m very happy to win my first match,” said Pantev shortly after the game.

“It was a tough encounter, and I must admit that the Tanzanian Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues I have seen. My players performed well and created many chances, but we still need to improve our finishing.

” Pantev stressed that despite the win, Simba must continue to work harder to achieve their long-term objectives of reclaiming the Premier League title and making a strong impression in the Caf Champions League. “Simba are among the biggest clubs in Tanzania and across Africa.

To meet our ambitions, we must fight hard, stay focused, and be consistent in our performances,” he noted. The coach added that his immediate focus will be on strengthening the team’s attacking efficiency while maintaining a solid defensive structure.

“We are going back to the drawing board to analyse our performance. We must correct the small mistakes we made and sharpen our striking force,” he said.

With his domestic debut behind him, Pantev has now shifted attention to Simba’s next major test, the Caf Champions League group stage opener against Petro Atletico of Angola, scheduled for November 21 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. However, the coach faces a challenge in preparing for the continental campaign, as several key players, including Yakoub Suleiman, Shomari Kapombe, Wilson Nangu, and Morice Abraham, will be away on international duty with the Tanzania national team, Taifa Stars.

“We’ll miss some key players during our preparations, but that’s part of football,” Pantev explained. “They will train with us for a few days before joining the national team, and we’ll make sure to use that time effectively to prepare well for Petro Atletico.

” Simba have been drawn in a competitive Group D, which also includes Stade Malien of Mali and Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia, both experienced sides in African football. Pantev acknowledged that the path ahead will not be easy but expressed confidence that Simba possess the quality and mentality to compete with the best teams on the continent.

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Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed six new Members of Parliament, in a move that signals some of the faces likely to feature in her next cabinet.

The appointments, which take effect immediately, were announced on Monday, November 10, 2025 through a government gazette notice issued by the President’s Office at State House in Dodoma. The notice, signed by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka, invoked Article 66(1)(e) of the Constitution, which empowers the Head of State to nominate up to ten MPs.

President Hassan’s new nominees include former cabinet ministers, diplomats and administrators, reflecting her continued preference for experienced hands in governance and policy. Among the appointees is Dr Dorothy Gwajima, a medical doctor and former minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups.

She has also previously served as Minister for Health and as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government). Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally, a respected academic, diplomat, and political strategist, also makes a return to the political stage.

He is a former Secretary-General of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Two other seasoned diplomats like Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar are also on the list.

Ambassador Kombo has just completed his tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. The President has also appointed Mr Abdullah Ali Mwinyi, a business leader and son of former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, and Dr Rhimo Nyansaho, who has served on several key boards, including as chairperson of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco).

Analysts say the nominations align with President Hassan’s broader strategy of strengthening her administration with a blend of technocrats, diplomats and seasoned policymakers as she prepares for potential cabinet adjustments. .

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) has officially confirmed that this year’s National Basketball League (NBL) will take place at the Chinangali Court in Dodoma from November 26 to December 6, 2025. The announcement was made by TBF Secretary-General Mwenze Kabinda during an interview with The Citizen yesterday.

Kabinda revealed that this season promises a highly competitive tournament, featuring 28 teams from across the country. Of these, 16 teams will compete in the men’s category, while 12 teams will compete in the women’s category, reflecting the growing popularity of basketball nationwide.

“We are now preparing for the event, and soon we will announce the sponsors and the final list of participating teams,” Kabinda said. Last year, Dar City claimed the men’s title after an impressive tournament run, with ABC finishing as runners-up in a competition sponsored by the betting brand BetPawa.

The brand introduced Locker Room Bonus payouts, awarding 12 players and four team officials a cash prize of Sh140,000 each immediately after a match victory, with payments made directly to mobile accounts before leaving the court. BetPawa injected a total of Sh194.8 million into the National Basketball League.

In the women’s category, Fox Divaz from Mara emerged champions, outshining DB Lioness of Dar es Salaam in the finals. The league is expected to attract basketball enthusiasts from across Tanzania and provide a platform for young talent to showcase their skills at a national level.

Kabinda highlighted that the TBF is committed to ensuring a well-organized event that will further enhance the sport’s profile in the country. “The National Basketball League has grown significantly over the past few years, and we are determined to make this edition even more competitive.

Fans should expect high-quality games and exciting matchups,” he added. .

Dar es Salaam. Acknowledging mistakes, avoiding blame, healing wounds and halting arbitrary arrests are among key steps proposed by various stakeholders, including Bishop Benson Bagonza of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Karagwe Diocese as the nation takes initial steps towards reconciliation.

The stakeholders believe these measures will enable the country to build genuine unity and peace, while showing the government’s maturity in choosing dialogue over confrontation. Their remarks come two days after Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi announced the government’s plan to begin reconciliation talks aimed at ensuring every voice is heard and peace is restored.

“The intention of President Samia Suluhu Hassan is to initiate reconciliation dialogue so that even the minority can be heard, ensuring Tanzania remains a peaceful, united and stable nation, a model for Africa and the world,” Dr Nchimbi said during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit. Dr Nchimbi’s statement echoes President Samia’s campaign pledge to establish reconciliation efforts, a body that would also guide the process towards drafting a new constitution within her first 100 days in office.

Bishop Bagonza said it was ironic that those who had initially called for reconciliation before the General Election now oppose it, while those who rejected it then are the ones calling for it today. “There is blood; much blood that is still fresh.

It must be cleansed by allowing families to bury and mourn their loved ones. Without that, entering reconciliation talks is like smearing ourselves with blood,” he said.

He called for the immediate suspension of arrests and the release of those detained, stressing that some individuals who should participate in reconciliation efforts are either missing or being held in custody. The bishop also said the country must be safe for both supporters and critics, noting that many who express dissent are now fleeing the country.

He proposed the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission to establish who should be forgiven, who should face justice, and who deserves compensation, to prevent similar crises in the future. He added that the commission must be transparent, inclusive and accountable to the public to retain the trust of citizens.

All groups must be included Political and governance analyst, Mr Philemon Mtoi, said that although recent unrest has been linked to political tensions, the reconciliation process must include representatives from all sectors of society. Since it is impractical to consult every individual citizen, he proposed selecting representatives from various community groups, including religious leaders, civil society, youth organisations, and political parties, while excluding MPs, arguing that many citizens no longer trust them to represent public interests.

He also called for the involvement of security and government representatives to ensure a comprehensive and credible process. No side should claim victory Mr Mtoi warned that reconciliation should not be treated as a contest between winners and losers.

“All parties must admit their mistakes. The government must acknowledge its errors, and even protesters must accept their share of responsibility,” he said.

He emphasised that true reconciliation requires sincerity and an end to finger-pointing. “When we talk about reconciliation while some people are still being arrested or harassed, it undermines the whole process,” he cautioned.

Healing and accountability Political science scholar, Dr Conrad Masabo, from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) said national healing requires both political will and moral responsibility. He said the first question Tanzanians must ask themselves is whether they are genuinely ready to move forward.

“This responsibility rests with every Tanzanian, from top government leaders to ordinary citizens, but the level of accountability differs depending on one’s position,” he said. Dr Masabo added that the nation must acknowledge what happened, accept collective responsibility, and avoid the politics of blame.

“We must stop pointing fingers. We should accept that there were riots, destruction of property and loss of life, and not deny any of it,” he said.

He suggested that the next step should involve identifying and honouring those who lost their lives, ensuring proper burial rites according to cultural and religious traditions to allow healing. “Such steps provide cultural healing.

In our traditions, death is painful, but it becomes even more so when the deceased are not laid to rest respectfully,” he said. Dr Masabo also proposed developing a compensation framework to support families of victims and those who lost property, not as a replacement for life, but as a gesture of care and recognition.

He called for accountability for everyone involved in the unrest, whether through incitement or action, regardless of their status. “All allegations, including claims of external involvement, should be thoroughly investigated to establish the truth,” he said.

A credible mediator needed Dr Masabo further suggested appointing a neutral and respected mediator to facilitate the reconciliation process. “Unfortunately, we currently lack an individual trusted by all sides.

If necessary, we may need to invite a neutral figure from outside the country, someone all parties can listen to,” he said. He concluded that the chosen mediator must be impartial, respected and capable of guiding the process towards genuine national unity and lasting peace.

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Dar es Salaam. A Tanzanian agribusiness company is setting its sights on Dubai and India as next export destination in a bid to expand footprint in the global fresh produce trade.

The company called Chimi Group Company Limited, founded and led by Ms Rose Chimilila, currently exports Hass avocados, kidney beans, white maize, and peas, sourced directly from smallholder farmers across Tanzania. To access global markets, the company has partnered with export-certified firms that already hold European trade credentials.

However, Ms Chimilila said acquiring such certifications remains a significant hurdle for small but growing agribusinesses. “Obtaining export and compliance certifications such as the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) can cost around $5,000, which is quite expensive for a company of our size,” she explained.

SMETA is a globally recognised audit that assesses ethical business practices, labour standards, and environmental management. To navigate these challenges, Chimi Group is strategically focusing on markets in Dubai and India, where export documentation requirements are less stringent and provide more accessible entry points for emerging exporters.

The company aims to identify direct buyers in these markets to reduce its reliance on intermediaries. “Targeting these markets will allow us to grow sustainably while maintaining quality control across the supply chain,” Ms Chimilila noted.

“We work closely with smallholder farmers to ensure quality and consistency while empowering them to earn better incomes,” Ms Chimilila told The Citizen. Before establishing direct export routes, Chimi Group has been using agents to ensure Tanzanian-grown produce reaches international buyers.

Ms Chimilila began her agribusiness journey in 2021, when she launched Chimi Fresh Produce, initially focusing on Irish potatoes for the domestic market. Within a year, production grew from 10 to over 30 metric tonnes per month, paving the way for regional exports across East Africa.

By 2023, the enterprise had evolved into Chimi Group Company Limited, expanding its product range to include avocados, beans, maize, bananas, and pulses. “Today, the company exports hundreds of tonnes of produce each season, from December to August,” she said.

From sourcing and processing to packaging and export, Chimi Group manages the entire value chain to ensure quality, traceability, and timely delivery. Beyond export activities, the company invests in farmer empowerment programmes, including training, contract farming, and improved market access.

Although expansion has been gradual due to limited financing, Ms Chimilila remains optimistic about the company’s prospects. “Our vision is to build a sustainable and inclusive agribusiness that uplifts farmers’ livelihoods while delivering fresh, high-quality produce to consumers across regional and international markets,” she said.

Chimi Group’s focus on Asia aligns with Tanzania’s broader efforts to diversify export destinations and tap into high-demand markets for tropical produce. Industry observers note that as global consumers increasingly prioritise ethically sourced and traceable products, Tanzanian agribusinesses like Chimi Group stand to gain from the country’s fertile climate, growing production base, and improving logistics infrastructure.

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When crises erupt be they political, social, or humanitarian the media stands at a delicate crossroads. On one side lies the public’s insatiable demand for immediate information; on the other, the professional obligation to verify, balance and remain independent.

The tension between speed and accuracy, emotion and ethics, becomes almost unbearable. In moments of national or global upheaval, journalists face a paradox: the public expects the media to be both the first to tell and the most reliable to trust.

Yet, the reality of the newsroom is often messy, chaotic and constrained by imperfect facts. As the pressure mounts, the risk of compromising integrity grows not because journalists lack principles, but because the environment itself is designed to test them.

Crises distort the normal flow of information. Social media floods the public space with real-time updates, videos and commentary.

In contrast, traditional media must verify before publishing a process that takes time. But in a world where seconds matter, the delay can appear as failure.

In Tanzania, for instance, when disasters strike from floods to political tensions the public often turns to Twitter, WhatsApp and citizen blogs for instant news. Meanwhile, reputable outlets take a more measured approach, seeking confirmation from official sources.

That balance, however, is frequently misunderstood as bias or silence. This is the dangerous zone where credibility and relevance collide.

A journalist who takes time to verify risks being labelled “slow” or “controlled,” while one who rushes may amplify rumours and lose public trust. Integrity is not an abstract virtue it’s the foundation of journalism’s social contract.

During crises, maintaining that integrity often means resisting political pressure, commercial influence and even emotional manipulation. Governments, for example, may expect the media to promote stability, emphasising unity and calm.

The public, however, may demand transparency and accountability sometimes in tones that border on hostility. The journalist is then wedged between two powerful expectations: to inform without inciting and to report without being silenced.

This tension can be seen globally, too. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many media houses faced the challenge of reporting rising infections without fuelling panic, while also holding authorities accountable for health system failures.

The balance was fragile too much alarm and credibility suffers; too little scrutiny and the watchdog role is lost. Another crisis facing modern journalism is the blurring line between fact and opinion.

In the race to capture attention, analysis and commentary often overshadow reporting. When this happens during a crisis, the public gets emotional narratives instead of verified truths.

Social media influencers, pseudo-journalists and even well-meaning activists contribute to this noise. The media’s voice, once authoritative, now competes in a crowded marketplace of claims.

The result is confusion, mistrust and “confirmation bias”, where audiences believe only what aligns with their pre-existing views. Integrity, therefore, requires more than accuracy; it demands courage the courage to tell unpopular truths and to stand firm when both power and public sentiment push in opposite directions.

For the media, the ultimate goal is not popularity but trust. When the public believes that journalists act in good faith, even if they disagree with what is published, integrity is preserved.

That trust, however, is fragile and must be earned daily. Media houses must embrace transparency about their processes: how stories are verified, why some information cannot yet be published and what ethical lines they refuse to cross.

This openness can transform misunderstanding into respect. At the same time, the public must also play its part.

Consumers of news should learn to differentiate between journalism and propaganda, between verified reports and social media chatter. Trust is a two-way relationship; the media alone cannot sustain it.

As crises become more complex and fast-moving, the role of journalism must evolve. Media organisations should invest in crisis communication protocols, fact-checking units and ethical refresher training for reporters.

These measures ensure that integrity is not an afterthought but a built-in safeguard. Collaboration, not isolation, is also key.

Partnerships between traditional media, digital platforms and civil society can help amplify verified information and combat misinformation in real time. Ultimately, the soul of journalism lies in its integrity.

Technology will continue to evolve, audiences will change and crises will keep coming, but the principles of fairness, accuracy and independence must remain constant. When the storm passes, the only thing that keeps the media standing tall is not how fast it ran the story, but how truthfully it told it.

Angel Navuri is Head of Advertising, Partnerships and Events at Mwananchi Communications Limited .

Dodoma. Members of Parliament from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) have elected Ilala MP-elect Mussa Zungu as the party’s candidate for the position of Speaker of the 13th Parliament.

Should he be elected by the full House, Zungu will become Tanzania’s eighth Speaker. Zungu garnered 348 votes, defeating his rival, former Shinyanga MP Stephen Masele, who managed only 16 votes.

Masele had earlier been considered a strong contender before voting began. If confirmed, Zungu will join a line of former Deputy Speakers who have ascended to the top parliamentary seat, a tradition established by the likes of Anne Makinda, the late Job Ndugai, and Dr Tulia Ackson, all of whom served as Deputies before becoming full Speakers.

Zungu now awaits the possibility of facing other contenders from outside CCM in the national election scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in the Parliament Chamber. However, given CCM’s numerical dominance in the House, his election as Speaker is virtually assured.

Earlier, the CCM Central Committee had shortlisted three candidates for the position: the outgoing Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson, Mussa Zungu, and one other aspirant. The race was reportedly tight between Dr Tulia and Zungu until November 7, when Dr Tulia announced her withdrawal, leaving the two remaining names to be voted on by CCM MPs.

Zungu first entered Parliament in 2005 and has since held various leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, a position he held for 18 years. Between 2016 and 2025, he served as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission, representing Tanzania in joint meetings of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Parliaments and the European Union Parliament.

He also chaired the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Tanzania branch and represented the country at international CPA forums. Zungu was Chairperson of Parliament from 2012 to 2021 and later served as Deputy Speaker from 2022 to 2025. He also served as Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment).

His opponent Stephen Masele previously served as Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals and was once Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), a position that placed him at odds with then-Speaker Job Ndugai after he reportedly complained of not being accorded due respect as a continental parliamentary leader. In another development, CCM MPs on Sunday elected Babati Rural MP Daniel Sillo as their candidate for the Deputy Speaker position.

His election by the full Parliament will follow the swearing-in of MPs and the Speaker’s election. Sillo secured 362 votes, with two ballots spoilt.

His two rivals who were Timotheo Mzava (Korogwe Rural) and Najma Giga (Special Seats) withdrew before voting, leaving Sillo as the sole candidate. His selection continues the line of succession from Zungu, as Sillo had succeeded him as Parliamentary Chairperson on April 4, 2023, after Zungu became Deputy Speaker.

Elected to Parliament in 2020, Sillo previously chaired the Budget Committee and was later appointed Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, serving until the dissolution of Parliament. Veteran councillor Job Ole Sulutya commented that Zungu’s election signified transparency but cautioned that the seasoned politician often “pushes things through with speed.

” “I’ve known Zungu since the late 1970s during our country’s defence campaigns, where he was an expert in aviation. But in Parliament, he sometimes takes serious matters lightly and rushes them through,” Ole Sulutya remarked.

He, however, suggested that given the youthful composition of the 13th Parliament, a Speaker more aligned with its generational rhythm might have been ideal .

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that he was ready to meet U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio but that Russia would not abandon its core conditions for ending the Ukraine war. U.

S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker an end to the Ukraine war, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, have so far failed and he last month abruptly cancelled a planned summit with President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

The Kremlin on Friday dismissed Western media reports that Lavrov had fallen out of favour with Putin when the summit plans collapsed after Lavrov’s ministry sent a message indicating Moscow was not prepared to yield on its demands over Ukraine. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I understand the need for regular communication,” Lavrov, Putin’s foreign minister since 2004, told state news agency RIA Novosti.

“It is important for discussing the Ukrainian issue and promoting the bilateral agenda. That is why we communicate by telephone and are ready to hold face-to-face meetings when necessary,” Lavrov said.

Nearly four years since Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine, Russian forces are grinding forwards and control about 19% of Ukraine – land Moscow now says is legally part of Russia, though Ukraine and Western European powers say they will never formally accept that. Lavrov said that the “understandings” reached by Putin and Trump at their August 15 summit at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska, were based on Putin’s June 2024 demands and ideas from Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.

Putin laid out his core conditions in June 2024, demanding Kyiv renounce its plans to join the U.S.

-led NATO military alliance and withdraw troops from the entirety of the four provinces Moscow claims as part of Russia: Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine – which make up the Donbas – plus Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Russia currently controls Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, almost all of Luhansk, about 80% of Donetsk, 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and slivers of the Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has acknowledged that some Russian-occupied territories might be recognised as temporarily de facto occupied but has ruled out any de jure recognition. He says he does not have a mandate to give away territory and that any withdrawal would expose both Ukraine and its European allies to new Russian attacks.

Novorossiya is a noun Russians use for a swathe of south-eastern Ukraine which became part of the Tsarist empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also the name of a pro-Russian movement to re-assert Russian control over the territory.

Asked about European plans to use most of the 210 billion euros worth of Russian sovereign assets currently frozen in Europe to fund Ukraine, Lavrov said there was no legal way to take the assets and that Russia would retaliate if they were taken. He said the United States had informed Moscow through diplomatic channels that it was reviewing Putin’s proposal to maintain the limitations outlined in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) beyond its scheduled expiration in February 2026. “We are now awaiting for confirmation from the United States that the Anchorage agreements remain in force,” Lavrov said.

He added, in the U.S.

context, that “no one questions the territorial integrity of Russia and the choice of the residents of Crimea, Donbas and Novorossiya” to reunite with their “historical homeland”. .

Dar es Salaam. The Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Tel Aviv is working closely with the government of Israel to complete the repatriation of Tanzanian agricultural intern Joshua Loitu Mollel, who was confirmed dead after being taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza.

A public notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation shows that on Friday, November 7, 2025, Israeli authorities confirmed that the human remains recently handed over from Gaza belong to the Tanzanian students, bringing an end to months of uncertainty for his family and the nation. The Ministry says the embassy is coordinating the final procedures to ensure Mollel’s remains are returned home for a dignified burial.

“The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, is closely coordinating with the family to facilitate the reception of the body and ensure an honourable burial for our young compatriot,” reads part of the public notice. The confirmation marks a solemn yet relieving moment for Mollel’s family, who had been waiting for news since his disappearance.

Mollel, 21, was one of two Tanzanian nationals working as agricultural interns in Israel when the Hamas attacks occurred. He was killed during the assault, and his body was taken into Gaza.

The Ministry described the confirmation as “good news that brings great relief to the family and the nation at large,” while reiterating its condolences to the Mollel family and all Tanzanians affected by the tragedy. Mollel’s death underscores the far-reaching impact of the IsraelHamas conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more since the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Further details on the arrival of the body remains and subsequent funeral arrangements are expected to be announced once the repatriation process is finalised. Reports show Mollel arrived in Israel as an agricultural intern at Kibbutz Nahal Oz just 19 days before October 7, 2023, on his first trip outside Tanzania, full of excitement to advance his career.

During the attack led by Hamas, Mollel was working in the kibbutz’s barn. On December 13, 2023, his father was officially notified of his death by Israeli authorities.

The human rights organisation Hotline for Refugees and Migrants reported that 36 Tanzanian agricultural interns were living in Israel near Gaza at the time of the attack. .