Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s women’s national golf team put up a spirited performance to finish third overall at the 2025 East and Central Africa All Africa Challenge Trophy (EACAACT), held at the picturesque Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha, Kenya.

The championship, organized by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU), attracted elite golfers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Reunion, competing over three days on one of Africa’s most scenic and demanding golf courses. Team Tanzania was represented by Neema Olomi, Vicky Elias, Shufaa Twalib, and Khadija Suleiman, under the management of Yasmin Chali, Secretary General of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) and TLGU president Queen Siraki.

After three rounds of intense play, Tanzania returned a total of 460 strokes, placing third behind Reunion, who scored 445, and Kenya, who were crowned champions with 443 strokes. Despite narrowly missing out on defending their 2023 title, Tanzania’s campaign produced several highlights, most notably the emergence of youngster Shufaa Twalib, whose breakthrough performance marked her as the country’s next big name in women’s golf.

Recently promoted from the Under-18 junior squad, Shufaa impressed on her senior debut by carding a total of 242 strokes, finishing ninth overall in the individual standings. Her steady improvement over the three days drew attention as she struggled on the opening day with 85 strokes but bounced back with 79 on day two and 78 in the final round, ending the tournament with a respectable +29 score.

“I believe I can do even better if I continue to get opportunities to compete in international tournaments,” said Shufaa, who plays for Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam. Her consistent showing, combined with the leadership of experienced teammate Neema Olomi, was crucial in securing Tanzania’s top-three finish.

Top golfer Neema Olomi once again demonstrated her quality, finishing second overall in the individual category with a total of 220 strokes, just five behind Melliyal Schmit of Reunion, who took top honours. Olomi began the tournament strongly, shooting 72 on the first day, followed by 76 on day two, and closing with another solid 72 in the final round.

Her overall +4 score ranked among the best in the tournament and just slightly above professional standards. “If my teammates and I had managed slightly better results, I believe Tanzania could have successfully defended our title,” said Olomi, who represents Arusha Gymkhana Club.

For golf enthusiasts, Olomi’s performance came as no surprise, as she has consistently been one of Tanzania’s standout players both locally and regionally. However, the revelation of Shufaa Twalib brought fresh excitement and optimism for the future of women’s golf in Tanzania.

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Dar es Salaam. As climate challenges continue to intensify across Tanzania, young innovators are taking the lead in designing solutions that strengthen the country’s resilience.

This was highlighted on Thursday, October 23, during the YouthADAPT Demo Day held here under the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP). The event, organised by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), and its local partner MTI International Tanzania, brought together young entrepreneurs showcasing practical, climate-smart innovations for Tanzania and the wider region.

Speaking during the event, the President and ceo of the Global Centre on Adaptation, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, said Africa’s youth were not just victims of the climate crisis but also key drivers of solutions. “Through our YouthADAPT Challenge, we are turning their ideas into investable, impactful businesses.

This is practical climate leadership, aligning innovation with national priorities and NDCs, while creating decent jobs and strengthening food systems and infrastructure where it matters most,” he said. Five local enterprises pitched their ideas at the event as part of the In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge.

Over the past few weeks, these enterprises underwent a rigorous due diligence process to ensure high-quality participation in the final pitching sessions. Similar Demo Day events have already been held in Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, with Kenya set to host the final in-country event next week.

Tanzania’s adaptation needs remain urgent as the country continues to face challenges in agriculture and transport infrastructure. Farmers struggle with unpredictable rainfall, water scarcity, and post-harvest losses, while the transport sector seeks to build systems that can withstand heat, flooding, and erosion.

The YouthADAPT Challenge aims to promote bold, technology-driven, and community-based ideas that empower farmers with climate-smart irrigation, digital advisory tools, and resilient market access. It also encourages innovations that improve the durability and sustainability of critical infrastructure.

A panel of experts in climate innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development evaluated the pitches. Two Tanzanian enterprises will each receive a $30,000 grant and participate in a year-long acceleration and mentorship programme, gaining access to markets, expert guidance, and investment opportunities.

“Tanzania’s climate challenges reflect those across Africa, and that calls for shared innovation,” said CEO of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, Mr Joseph Murabula. “Through this programme, we are building a regional network of entrepreneurs whose solutions can strengthen resilience beyond borders.

” The Demo Day forms part of a broader continental initiative to bridge the gap between innovation and investment by linking youth-led enterprises directly with domestic and regional financiers. It also fostered collaboration among incubators, government agencies, and private sector players committed to driving adaptation-led growth.

The In-Country Demo Days will culminate at COP30 in Brazil this November, where the top 10 youth-led enterprises from across Africa will be showcased as global models of adaptation-driven entrepreneurship. .

There’s a quiet pressure in the air these days. It doesn’t always show up loudly, but you can feel it.

You scroll through your feed and it’s all soft life content, main character energy, curated routines, aesthetic dinners, and captions about romanticising your existence. And even if you’re content, part of you starts to wonder, should I be doing more? But what if your life right now is calm? Uneventful? Centred around routine and small joys? What if you’re not in your hustle era or healing era or living a perfectly documented life? Does that mean you’re behind? Or worse, boring? There’s nothing wrong with a peaceful life.

We just don’t see it celebrated often. And in a world where everything is about showing, sharing, and levelling up, quiet consistency can feel invisible.

But being invisible doesn’t mean being unsuccessful. Sometimes, it just means you’re not performing for anyone.

The subtle stress of constant comparison When everything becomes content, it’s easy to fall into silent comparison. Even people who don’t consider themselves influenced by social media still feel it.

You see updates from friends who are traveling, moving abroad, launching businesses, getting engaged. Their lives seem full.

Yours feels repetitive. The same routine.

The same responsibilities. You start to ask yourself if something is missing, even when nothing actually is.

From a psychological perspective, this taps into social comparison theory, the idea that we evaluate our own worth by comparing ourselves to others. But when the comparisons are based on curated highlights, we’re not judging reality.

We’re judging illusions. This disconnect creates anxiety, even when your life is actually aligned with your values.

You’re not broken for not chasing excitement. You’re not failing if your joy comes from small, quiet things.

A steady life is not a wasted one. Peace doesn’t always look like aesthetic minimalism The term “soft life” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s often tied to luxury and escape.

The actual softness most people need is rest. Mental stillness.

Relationships that don’t drain them. Work that doesn’t eat away at their nervous system.

That kind of softness isn’t always instagrammable. It looks like boundaries.

Sleep. Saying no.

Making food at home. Leaving the party early.

We’ve started to associate peace with something visual, something polished. But real peace is often messy and deeply personal.

It’s not about being on vacation, it’s about not feeling like you need one all the time. The quiet power of routine There’s power in routine.

Waking up and knowing what to expect. Being consistent.

Taking care of your space. Going to work, coming home, resting.

These things might feel small, but they’re not insignificant. In fact, from a psychological lens, stability is a strong predictor of wellbeing.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places safety and predictability right at the bottom of the pyramid. You can’t self-actualise if your nervous system is constantly in fight or flight.

A calm, uneventful day might not trend, but it’s often what keeps your mind and body grounded. What “boring” might actually mean When you describe your life as boring, ask yourself what you really mean.

Is it that you’re unfulfilled? Or are you just not being overstimulated? There’s a difference. We’ve gotten so used to stimulation that the absence of it feels like lack.

But overstimulation is often what burns us out in the first place. Quiet doesn’t have to mean empty.

Routine doesn’t have to mean stuck. Some of the most fulfilling lives are built slowly.

They’re full of small, repeated choices that don’t look exciting on the outside, but on the inside, they feel safe. They feel right.

Give yourself permission to be kow-key Not everything in your life needs an explanation or an audience. Quiet weekends, familiar routines, and a sense of calm don’t need to be defended or dressed up.

Trends come and go, but the way you move through your life should make sense to you. There’s room in the world for loud ambition and big dreams, and there’s also room for simple days and inner stability.

One isn’t better than the other. They’re just different ways of being.

Finally A boring life is not a failed life. It’s often a sign that you’ve created rhythm.

That you’re not constantly surviving. That you’ve made peace with enough.

You don’t need to be the loudest, the busiest, or the most visible. You can take your time.

You can grow quietly. You can build a life that makes sense to you .

Stone Town. The 23rd edition of Sauti za Busara, East Africa’s most celebrated music festival, will return to Stone Town from February 5 to 8, 2026, promising another vibrant showcase of Africa’s creative spirit under the theme “A Celebration of Culture and Diversity.

” The four-day festival, organized by Busara Promotions, will feature performances from over 20 countries, blending traditional and contemporary sounds across genres like taarab, Bongo Flava, afrobeat, and fusion. All performances will be 100 Percent live, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a platform for authentic African music.

This year’s edition will be headlined by the legendary Salif Keita of Mali — known globally as the Golden Voice of Africa. Making his Sauti za Busara debut, Keita brings his distinctive mandingue rhythms and powerful advocacy for albinism awareness, aligning closely with the festival’s mission to amplify socially conscious artistry.

“We are honored to welcome Salif Keita, a living legend whose music and activism resonate with the heart of Sauti za Busara,” said Journey Ramadhan, the Festival Director. “His presence, alongside our diverse lineup, celebrates the richness of African culture while embracing its future.

” A global stage for African talent The 2026 lineup features artists from across Africa and beyond, including Ben Pol and Man Fongo (Tanzania), Pilani Bubu and Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O (South Africa), Lindigo (Reunion), Sousou and Maher Cissoko (Senegal/Sweden), Atanda and Afrojazz Messengers (Nigeria/UK), La Carmen Y Su Familia Musical (Colombia), and Rajab Suleiman and Kithara (Zanzibar). Local acts such as Hammer Q, Tarajazz, Magomamoto Theatre Group, Mama C and The Fusion Band, and DCMA Young Stars will also take the stage, reaffirming Zanzibar’s growing influence as a hub for creative expression.

Economic and cultural impact According to Busara Promotions Managing Director Lorenz Herrmann, the festival has become a key economic driver for Zanzibar. “Sauti za Busara contributes an estimated $20 million to the local economy and has transformed February–once a low season–into one of the busiest months for tourism and business,” Herrmann said.

Local traders in Stone Town share the same sentiment. “Through Sauti za Busara, we make enough to sustain our families through the rainy and Ramadhan seasons,” said one vendor.

“The festival is irreplaceable for our livelihoods.” Herrmann added that the event’s expansion to four days offers “more performance opportunities for artists, greater exposure for partners, and increased benefits for local businesses.

” A recent UNESCO report on festivals in Southern Africa reinforces these observations, stating that “arts and cultural festivals generate significant income, create jobs, and empower youth, serving as strategic platforms for development and regional integration.” Cultural legacy and future vision Since its founding in 2003, Sauti za Busara has hosted some of Africa’s most influential musicians, including Ebo Taylor (Ghana), Cheikh La’ (Senegal), Thandiswa Mazwai (South Africa), and Zanzibar’s own Bi Kidude, whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

The festival’s reach extends beyond music. Through its NGO arm, Busara Promotions, it promotes youth engagement, supports the regional creative economy, and advocates for cultural preservation and inclusion.

“We are proud to produce one of Africa’s most significant cultural platforms,” Herrmann said. “More importantly, we’re proud of the festival’s role in strengthening Zanzibar’s identity as a top-tier cultural destination.

” Festival details In addition to the main stage in Stone Town, performances and community events will also take place in Fumba Town, a new urban development project by CPS Africa. Visitors can expect live performances, cultural workshops, and networking sessions throughout the four days.

Tickets are now available via www.busaramusic.

org and the Tukiio platform, with options for single-day, full festival, and VIP passes. As Sauti za Busara prepares to mark over two decades of celebrating African culture, the 2026 edition promises to reaffirm Zanzibar’s place on the global cultural map — where music, identity, and community come together in harmony.

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There’s a lot of talk these days about healing. We hear it in conversations, see it on social media, and feel it in the pressure to constantly be working on ourselves.

Unpack this. Journal that.

Fix your inner child. Rewire your brain.

The message is clear: you should be healing, all the time. And if you’re not, maybe you’re falling behind.

But healing is not a race. It’s not a productivity metric.

It’s not another project you have to manage. Some things take time.

Some wounds don’t close because you’ve read the right book or followed the right therapist online. Sometimes, the most honest thing you can do is sit with the ache and not try to force it away.

There’s this belief that the goal is to be fully healed before you can live fully. Before you can date again, trust again, make new friends, or start a new chapter.

But that’s not how life works. Life doesn’t pause while we patch ourselves up.

It keeps moving, even when we’re a little broken, a little bruised, and a little unsure. Psychologically, this pressure to heal perfectly can actually create more distress.

It turns healing into another thing to perform. You end up monitoring your emotions like a checklist: Have I processed this? Am I doing better yet? Why do I still feel this way? Instead of allowing space for your feelings, you start policing them.

Healing is messy. It’s inconsistent.

You might feel fine for weeks and then suddenly find yourself crying over something you thought you were past. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re human. The expectation to be emotionally perfect In a world hyper-focused on self-improvement, there’s an unspoken expectation to always be working on yourself.

And while growth is important, this mindset can leave you feeling like you’re never enough as you are. Every flaw becomes a problem to solve.

Every hard emotion becomes something to “fix.” But not every feeling needs to be solved.

Some emotions just want to be acknowledged. They want to move through you without being judged or picked apart.

When we treat our emotions like errors in need of correction, we miss out on what they’re trying to tell us. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to grow.

But growth can also mean accepting yourself in moments when you’re not okay. It means being gentle when your heart still hurts, even if it’s been a while.

It means giving yourself permission to live in the grey, instead of trying to rush to the clarity. Living while healing You don’t have to wait until you’re fully healed to show up for your life.

You can still laugh, love, make plans, mess up, and start over while holding grief in one hand and hope in the other. Life is rarely clean-cut.

Most of us are navigating complex emotions on a daily basis. That doesn’t make us broken.

It makes us real. In psychology, the concept of “dual awareness” explains how people can experience pain and progress at the same time.

You can carry sadness and still function. You can feel triggered and still find joy.

You can have trauma and still be worthy of peace. There’s something powerful about continuing to live, even when things feel unresolved.

It shows resilience. It proves that healing doesn’t have to look like stillness.

Sometimes it looks like movement, like living through the mess and finding meaning along the way. Signs you might be forcing healing: You constantly search for the “why” behind every feeling.

You feel guilty for having bad days. You judge yourself for not being over something yet.

You avoid relationships or opportunities until you feel more “together.” You treat healing as something to finish instead of something to live with.

If these resonate, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means you might need to take the pressure off.

Let yourself be incomplete There’s beauty in being a work in progress. No one needs a perfected version of you to care deeply.

The people who matter will meet you where you are, without requiring you to have it all figured out. The more you can offer yourself that same kind of acceptance, the easier it becomes to move through hard moments without shame.

Scars don’t make you fragile. Memories that still sting don’t make you weak.

They are reminders that you’ve lived, felt deeply, and survived things that shaped you. That depth isn’t something to rush past.

It’s part of your story. When the pressure lifts to be finished, fixed, or flawless, what’s left is space.

Space to rest. To feel.

To live without constantly checking if you’re “doing the work” right. Some of the most important healing happens when you stop trying to perfect it.

Healing isn’t a finish line. It’s not something you master.

It comes in waves, not milestones. Some parts of you might always carry an ache, and that doesn’t make you broken.

It just makes you human. The real goal isn’t to erase the past or numb the pain.

It’s to find a way to live with yourself in the present, soft spots and all. To build a life that honors who you’re becoming, without disowning who you’ve been.

There’s nothing to prove. No perfect version to chase.

Just a life, slowly unfolding. And that’s more than enough.

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Dodoma. The Tanzania Police Force has assured citizens and visitors of peace and security across the country ahead of the General Election scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. In a statement issued on Sunday, October 26, 2025 by Police Headquarters in Dodoma, the Force said the nation remains calm and that there are no threats to public security as voters prepare to elect leaders at the presidential, parliamentary, and ward levels.

“The Police Force wishes to assure citizens and visitors that the situation across the country is stable, and there are no security threats that could disrupt the voting exercise,” the statement read in part. “We urge all voters to turn out in large numbers and cast their votes peacefully as they registered.

” The statement further noted that adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent any acts aimed at disrupting the electoral process. It reminded the public that any attempts to breach the peace or engage in unlawful conduct would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“The Force has taken sufficient measures to identify and control anyone intending to disturb public order,” it added. “Anyone found violating the law will face appropriate legal action.

” The Police also called on Tanzanians to maintain calm and cooperate with security officers during and after the polls, stressing that peace and unity are essential for the democratic process. The statement was signed by the Police Spokesperson at the Force Headquarters in Dodoma.

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Kigali. Tanzanian-based communications and technology company, Serengeti Bytes, has officially expanded its footprint to Rwanda, marking a bold step in its vision to become one of the most disruptive and innovative Pan-African firms shaping the continent’s digital future.

Known for its pioneering approach in helping global brands establish and grow in African markets, and for driving homegrown brands to new levels of creativity and competitiveness, Serengeti Bytes is now positioning itself within Rwanda’s fast-evolving innovation ecosystem. At the heart of Rwanda’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem — Norrsken Kigali House in Nyarugenge District — the company received its official seal of approval through registration.

Speaking from Kigali, Kennedy Mmari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Serengeti Bytes, stated that the company’s entry into Rwanda reflects its long-term ambition to shape Africa’s digital narrative through creativity, technology, and purpose-driven communication. “Rwanda represents the kind of ecosystem we’ve always dreamed of being part of — one where innovation is not just encouraged but institutionalised.

Our expansion here is both strategic and symbolic; it’s about joining hands with a country that has made innovation a national identity,” said Mr Mmari. “This move allows us to collaborate more closely with partners and innovators who share our belief that Africa’s future can and should be shaped by Africans, through creativity, design, and technology.

” Additionally, Michael Mallya, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, noted that the Kigali presence serves as a launchpad for Serengeti Bytes’ broader continental mission. “We see Rwanda as the perfect home for bold ideas — and that aligns with who we are.

Our entry here is not just an expansion; it’s an experiment in building the Africa we imagine: innovative, connected, and self-reliant. This is the first of many steps toward reimagining how communication and technology can accelerate Africa’s transformation,” Mr Mallya said.

Serengeti Bytes’ work has already made an imprint across East Africa through strategic campaigns for multinational companies and homegrown enterprises alike. The company also spearheads two of Tanzania’s most influential innovation-driven initiatives — The Tanzania Digital Awards and The Tanzania Changemakers Magazine — both platforms celebrating and amplifying African talent, creativity, and impact.

Its move into Rwanda is timely and well-aligned with the country’s Vision 2050 blueprint and its continued investment in positioning itself as Africa’s innovation capital. With a presence at Norrsken — one of the continent’s largest hubs for tech and impact-driven startups — Serengeti Bytes is poised to contribute to Rwanda’s ambition of becoming a knowledge-based economy.

As Mr Mmari put it, “Our story is about Africa telling its own story — boldly, intelligently, and on its own terms. Rwanda gives us the perfect stage for that.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has dismissed a report by Amnesty International accusing Tanzanian authorities of human rights violations and political repression ahead of the 2025 General Election, describing the allegations as “unsubstantiated and misleading.

” On October 20, 2025, Amnesty International released a report titled “Unopposed, Unchecked, Unjust: ‘Wave of Terror’ Sweeps Tanzania Ahead of 2025 Vote,” claiming that authorities had created a climate of fear by intensifying crackdowns on opposition politicians, journalists, civil society groups and human rights defenders. The report alleged that the government was deliberately using fear to suppress civic participation and strengthen its hold on power.

Amnesty said it interviewed 43 individuals, including victims, witnesses, relatives, lawyers and civil society members, while verifying cases through multiple independent sources. Amnesty’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said opposition politicians had faced politically motivated charges and were being denied the right to contest elections.

“The upcoming general election is expected to be dominated by Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), with two key opposition presidential hopefuls blocked from running. Last month, Luhaga Mpina was disqualified again, while Chadema’s Tundu Lissu remains in custody on treason charges,” he said.

The organisation urged authorities to end the suppression of dissenting voices and release all those detained for political or religious reasons, including Lissu. It also cited reports of enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings, saying the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) had documented 83 cases of missing persons as of August 2024. Amnesty called for immediate investigations into all reported incidents and accountability for perpetrators.

It further accused the government of disrupting opposition rallies and imposing strict travel restrictions on political leaders and activists. However, the government, through Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, rejected the allegations, saying Tanzania was not given the right to respond before the report was published.

“The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania received with deep regret the brief report issued by Amnesty International and expresses grave concern over its content and the bias reflected in its conclusions,” said Mr Msigwa in a statement. He reaffirmed Tanzania’s strong commitment to protecting and promoting human rights as enshrined in the 1977 Constitution and under international and regional treaties, including the ICCPR, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Convention Against Torture.

Mr Msigwa said Amnesty’s report undermined objectivity and mutual respect expected in international human rights dialogue. He dismissed claims of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and suppression of freedoms as “inconsistent with Tanzania’s institutional and legal reality.

” “Tanzania upholds a zero-tolerance policy on torture and all forms of cruel or degrading punishment. Allegations of such acts are investigated by relevant authorities such as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the judiciary,” he said.

The spokesperson added that freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and access to information are constitutionally guaranteed and regulated under laws such as the Media Services Act, the Access to Information Act, and the Online Content Regulations. These, he said, are implemented in line with Article 19(3) of the ICCPR, which allows limited restrictions to protect national security, public order and the rights of others.

On the electoral process, Mr Msigwa said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) operates independently as guaranteed by the Constitution, adding that Tanzania continues to promote transparency, impartiality and equal participation in politics while allowing election observation. “The government of Tanzania does not condone enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings.

Each case reported is thoroughly investigated, and legal action is taken where appropriate. The judiciary remains independent, ensuring justice for all,” he said.

Mr Msigwa reiterated the government’s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law and the protection of human rights before, during and after the 2025 General Election, urging institutions to engage directly with relevant authorities before publishing reports that could mislead the public. .

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Tanzania in advance of the country’s General Elections scheduled for October 29, 2025. The deployment follows an official directive from the EAC Council of Ministers, instructing the Secretariat to monitor elections across all Partner States.

The move highlights the regional bloc’s commitment to promoting democracy, peace, and stability in East Africa. The Mission is led by former Vice President of Uganda and a distinguished advocate for public health and gender equality, Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe.

class=”article-picture” 7 class=”article-picture_caption” 9 Former Vice President of Uganda and a distinguished advocate for public health and gender equality, Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe Dr Kazibwe is the first woman in Africa to serve as Vice President of a sovereign state and previously held the role of UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. “As a Community founded on the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, the EAC regards credible elections as the cornerstone of democracy and regional integration,” Dr Kazibwe said during the flag-off ceremony at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha on October 24, 2025. The EAC Election Observation Mission comprises 67 experts drawn from all Partner States, including Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), officials from National Electoral Commissions, Human Rights Commissions, Civil Society Organisations, and the EAC Secretariat.

Observers have been deployed across Tanzania to assess the electoral process in line with national laws, the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation, and other international standards. EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva said that the Mission will issue a preliminary report shortly after the polls, followed by a comprehensive final report with recommendations to strengthen future electoral processes in the region.

“Our observers will engage with key stakeholders, monitor campaign activities, and oversee polling, counting, and the transmission of results to ensure transparency and credibility,” she said. The Deputy Head of Mission, Maina Karobia, a Member of EALA, emphasised that the Mission’s role is strictly impartial.

“We are here in solidarity with the people of Tanzania, not to interfere, but to observe and report objectively,” he said, urging all electoral actors to uphold peace and integrity during the polls. The EAC’s deployment complements similar initiatives by other regional and international bodies, including the African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Commonwealth, all of which have dispatched observer missions to Tanzania.

Grounded in Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty, the Mission reinforces Partner States’ commitment to democratic governance, accountability, gender equality, and human rights — key values enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. .

Washington. When President Donald Trump met with donors for his new ballroom at the White House earlier this month, he relayed a story that thrilled his real estate mogul heart.

“I said, ‘How long will it take me?’ ‘Sir, you can start tonight, you have no approvals,'” Trump said on October 15, describing a conversation he’d had about the project. “I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.

‘ They said, ‘Sir, this is the White House, you’re the president of the United States, you can do anything you want.'” Days later, demolition crews bulldozed the East Wing of the White House, reducing decades of history at one of the country’s most famous landmarks to a pile of rubble and drawing outrage from historians, preservationists, Democrats and the public.

Trump had gotten what he wanted: a clean slate for his new $300 million ballroom. It was an action that seemed to symbolize, in physical form, a presidency that has taken a wrecking ball to national norms, international institutions and the world order itself.

Historians, largely aghast at the move, saw the thinking of a developer at work rather than the keeper of a sacred trust. “I think this is the developer’s mentality again of building something big that has your name on it and that everyone remembers you for.

A Trump Tower,” said Jeremi Suri, a University of Texas historian. “He’s building a tower for himself.

This is a ballroom tower.” Indeed, Trump himself, at the dinner with executives from Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin and Meta Platforms, all of whom the White House says have pledged to help fund the ballroom, marveled at the opportunity the project presented.

“It’s exciting as a person in real estate, ’cause you’ll never get a location like this again,” he said. As a businessman, Trump put his name on buildings, steaks and ties.

Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday the ballroom would be named, too, but declined to say what it would be. Trump told reporters late Friday that he didn’t plan to name it after himself.

But the 90,000-square-foot structure will be forever associated with him. “Everybody’s going to look at it and they’re going to see now an edifice that overshadows the executive mansion, and that edifice has one man’s name on it,” said Edward Lengel, a former chief historian at the White House Historical Association.

“I believe that’s intentional.” Well before the ballroom project became a reality, Trump had made his mark on the White House with gold decorations in the Oval Office, a paved-over Rose Garden reminiscent of his Florida Mar-a-Lago club, portraits of himself throughout the property and giant American flags on new flagpoles on the north and south lawns.

The Republican president has also sought to remake Washington, D.C.

, taking over control of the Kennedy Center and planning an Arc de Triomphe-style monument to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Taylor Budowich, a former senior adviser to the president, said Trump was the nation’s “greatest builder” with a vision for the White House and beyond. “The president is a visionary, whether it be in politics, business or life.

He is able to see things not just for what they are, but for what they could be,” he said. “This is just another wonderful example of Trump being Trump.

” ‘Little public disclosure, consultation’ Trump’s team and allies have dismissed criticism of the ballroom project as manufactured outrage. “All of his properties are first class.

And he doesn’t spare expenses, and he has an eye for it. This will be a wonderful addition,” said Armand Grossman, a Florida-based real estate investor who worked for Trump for four years, about the ballroom.

“It will be around for a long time for many generations to enjoy.” The president followed his own unique style and belief in expansive executive power in making the ballroom project happen.

While previous renovations were funded and approved by Congress, this one will be paid for by private donors, reducing oversight restrictions. And while the White House says it plans to submit designs for the ballroom to the National Capital Planning Commission, it says that body only oversees construction, not demolition.

“I think it’s very clear that the administration studied those weaknesses and, with much greater care than they’re letting on, that they then very ruthlessly exploited those weaknesses,” Lengel said. White House officials and Trump himself have said that they were transparent about the work, showing pictures of the proposed ballroom and talking openly about his intentions.

But officials have not been able to identify any oversight body with authority over demolition, in what became an apt metaphor for Trump’s broader stamp both on governing and federally owned and operated real estate. Said historian Ellen Fitzpatrick: “It certainly is in keeping with President Trump’s very expansive view of executive power that requires little public disclosure, consultation or explanation prior to such a dramatic event.

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