Category: The Citizen

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday swore in two deputy permanent secretaries and witnessed four senior government officials take the Public Leadership Oath of Integrity, urging them to serve with integrity, cooperation and without favouritism while prioritising citizens’ interests and national development.

Speaking at State House in Tunguu, Zanzibar, President Hassan said the appointments reflected the government’s confidence in the leaders and called on them to provide quality services to Tanzanians.

“This appointment reflects the government’s trust in your abilities,” President Hassan said, urging the newly appointed leaders to remain committed to serving the public. Those sworn in were Dr Latifa Mohammed Khamis, appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs, and Ms Prisca Burton Lwangili, appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance.

The four officials who took the Public Leadership Oath of Integrity were Mr Ephraim Balozi Mafuru, Director General of TanTrade; Mr Salum Nassor Mnuna, Director General of the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura); Mr Massana Gibril Mwishawa, Commissioner for Conservation at Tanapa; and Ms Asha Dachi Mbaruk, Director General of TBC.

President Hassan directed the Vice-President’s Office to strengthen the management of Union affairs and ensure challenges affecting the Union are addressed through cooperation to safeguard and strengthen it.

On environmental conservation, President Hassan called on leaders to work together in implementing conservation programmes and addressing challenges threatening the environment and the country’s wellbeing.

“Serve the people with dedication and without favouritism,” she told the leaders, emphasising the importance of fairness and accountability in public service.

She also instructed the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance to strengthen the management of public servants by creating an environment that enables them to perform their duties efficiently.

In the transport sector, she directed authorities to accelerate the construction and supervision of strategic infrastructure projects, including railways, roads, ports and maritime transport, while assessing ways of expanding Air Tanzania’s aviation business.

She further instructed the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs to strengthen access to justice by giving more focus to legal aid campaigns so that services reach more citizens and help them secure justice in a timely manner.

The President also directed the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) to strengthen trade promotion and improve the management of trade fairs in the country.

She further instructed the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) to enhance the management and protection of national parks and tourism resources, highlighting the institution’s role in safeguarding conservation areas and supporting the growth of tourism.

President Hassan also called on the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) to strengthen its position as the government’s broadcaster and the voice of the nation by improving the quality of its content while enhancing efficiency and professionalism among its staff.

anzania’s women’s national football team, Twiga Stars, begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign today with arguably their toughest assignment, a Group B showdown against defending champions South Africa in Casablanca, Morocco.

The match will be played at Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca, kicking off at 8pm East Africa Time (EAT), which is 3pm local time in Morocco.

Twiga Stars, making their third appearance at the continental finals, head into the tournament hoping to reach the knockout stage for the first time. They have been drawn in a difficult group that also features Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with head coach Bakari Shime setting an ambitious target of reaching the semifinals and securing one of Africa’s qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Standing in Tanzania’s way are one of Africa’s most successful women’s teams. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana arrive in Morocco as reigning champions after lifting their maiden WAFCON title in 2022.

Guided by experienced coach Desiree Ellis, they boast a squad rich in continental and international experience and will be aiming to defend their crown successfully.

This year’s tournament marks South Africa’s 14th appearance at the finals. History also favours the Southern Africans. The two sides have met several times, with South Africa dominating the rivalry.

At WAFCON, they first met in the 2010 group stage when Banyana Banyana claimed a 2- 1 victory over Tanzania.

The teams met again during the 2024 edition, where Twiga Stars earned a hard fought 1-1 draw, their first ever point at the continental championship. That result remains Tanzania’s best performance against South Africa in WAFCON history.

For Twiga Stars, the spotlight will be on striker Clara Luvanga, who enjoyed a prolific club season in Saudi Arabia and is expected to spearhead Tanzania’s attack.

Coach Shime has blended experienced local players with foreign based professionals in a squad assembled to compete against Africa’s elite. South Africa, meanwhile, will rely on the core of the squad that delivered the continental title four years ago.

Ellis has expressed satisfaction with her team’s preparations, saying the players have adapted well to the Moroccan conditions after arriving from South Africa.

A merchant ship hijacked in Yemeni waters in the Gulf of Aden last week is currently being held by Somali pirates, according to local sources in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region.

The vessel, identified as the MT Asana, is a Tanzanian-flagged fuel and chemical tanker.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a resident and self-described former pirate stated that there are 20 crew members on board the tanker, including eight German and 10 Filipino nationals. A second resident in the coastal town of Caluula reported seeing pirates transporting food supplies out to the hijacked vessel.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed last week that a vessel boarded by unauthorised personnel in the Gulf of Aden had subsequently been manoeuvred into Somali territorial waters, formally classifying the incident as a hijacking.

Somali piracy caused widespread disruption off the Horn of Africa between 2008 and 2018.

Following a prolonged lull, pirate activity in the region began to resurge in late 2023.

Addressing reporters on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Tanzania’s chief government spokesperson, Mr Gerson Msigwa, stated that Tanzanian authorities are actively assessing the situation and working to verify the vessel’s links to the country.

“Our systems are tracking the situation to determine the exact connection to our country regarding the ship carrying cargo bound for Tanzania [from Yemen],’ he said.

‘We are following up, and once we have complete and accurate information, we will issue an official statement to the public,” added Mr Msigwa.

The initiative encouraged customers to use Stanbic Visa cards for international travel, online shopping, tuition payments and cross-border business transactions. It also included customer education on the security and convenience of digital payments compaThe victory highlighted Changalawe’s tactical discipline and resilience against a tough opponent, with four of the five judges scoring the contest in his favour.

He now faces another stern examination against regional rival Okaka in a contest expected to be one of the standout light heavyweight clashes of the day.

Unlike Changalawe, Okaka progressed directly to the Round of 16 after receiving a first-round bye, meaning the Kenyan will enter the ring without having fought in the opening round.

His freshness could prove an advantage, although Changalawe will hope the momentum gained from his opening victory works in his favour.

The winner will advance to the quarter-finals and move a step closer to securing a Commonwealth Games medal, making today’s encounter one of the most significant bouts of Tanzania’s boxing campaign.

While Changalawe celebrated victory, it was disappointment for fellow Tanzanian boxer Faki Issa Faki, whose Commonwealth Games journey ended after defeat to Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale.

Faki was unable to cope with Mwale’s relentless pressure, prompting the referee to stop the contest one minute and 49 seconds into the second round. The referee-stopped contest (RSC) result saw the Zambian advance while Faki bowed out of the competition.

Attention will also soon shift to Tanzania’s only female boxer at the Games, Zawadi Amos Kutaka, who faces one of the toughest assignments in the tournament.

Kutaka is scheduled to meet Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the women’s 57kg featherweight quarter-final on Wednesday, July 29, at the SEC.

Walsh is one of the most accomplished boxers in Commonwealth Games history. She arrives in Glasgow as the defending women’s 57kg featherweight champion after winning gold at Birmingham 2022.

The Northern Irish star is competing in her fourth Commonwealth Games, having previously won silver medals in 2014 and 2018 before finally claiming gold four years ago.

Her experience and pedigree make her one of the favourites to retain the title.

Despite the daunting challenge, Kutaka will be aiming to produce one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating the reigning champion and booking a place in the semi-finals.

Tanzania is represented by three boxers at the Glasgow Games, and after Faki’s elimination, the country’s immediate hopes now rest with Changalawe in the light heavyweight division before Kutaka begins her quest for Commonwealth glory later this week.

Tanzania basketball administrators have received a stern wake-up call following comments from Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, who has challenged them to show commitment to the sport or step aside.

Known for his integral and hands-on approach in sports development, Makonda told basketball authorities to shape up, put up, or get out. Not biting his tongue or mincing words, Makonda puts the spotlight firmly on administrators for the disarray of Tanzanian basketball ahead of Tanzania’s Taifa Cup basketball tournament.

“The sports that want to remain where they are should prove they are committed or step aside for new blood,” Makonda said.

“For basketball, let the responsible bodies send their teams for the Taifa Cup. If they don’t send their teams, then they should step aside.”

The Taifa Cup will be Tanzania’s premier basketball tournament of 2026 and offers administrators a chance to prove their commitment to growing the sport at home. However, the drumbeats are only getting louder: stepping up efforts is nothing new in Tanzanian sport, but Makonda’s bold pronouncement has ignited conversation around where basketball goes from here.

Taifa Cup becomes a test of basketball commitment

Basketball is one of Tanzania’s most popular sports after football and continues to see robust participation at the grassroots level, particularly in urban centers. Coached by Egyptian Lasheen Tharwat, the Tanzania women’s national basketball team is the Twiga Stars and regularly competes in FIBA Africa Women’s competitions.

The Taifa Basketball League has offered a domestic route for talented players to continue their basketball careers, while below that there are schools, clubs, and district competitions. Key officials and administrators have expressed concern about the lack of growth and investment in Tanzanian basketball over the years. Better competitions, more visibility, notoriety, coverage on Tanzania betting sites on bettingtop10.com, and clearer development pathways have been common themes among those involved in the sport.

But the Taifa Cup presents a timely opportunity to change the conversation and prove basketball leaders can follow through on their responsibility to the sport.

Leadership under the spotlight

In his remarks, Makonda touched on a common thread among sports administrators in Tanzania: proving you have what it takes to lead. In basketball, football, athletics, and boxing, among other sports in Tanzania, leaders have been criticized when progress appears to slow or stall.

Makonda has consistently shown support for sports and athletes in Tanzania and made it clear that he feels responsible administrators should be doing more to help their respective sports.

Included in that work are:

Developing grassroots programs

Ensuring competitions are taking place

Helping clubs

Improving national teams

Basketball’s next chapter

The future of Tanzanian basketball is still very much up for debate, but what is certain is that the appetite to watch and play basketball in Tanzania remains high. Basketball continues to draw huge crowds across the country, especially in Zanzibar. Successful Tanzanian basketball athletes have also represented the nation on the continent and beyond.

The sport needs strong administrators and stakeholders who can push for more sponsorship and help navigate a challenging sports landscape. Everyone connected to basketball in Tanzania can agree on that.

Where basketball goes from here remains to be seen. However, it is a slam dunk about what needs to happen. The onus is now on administrators to prove they have what it takes or relinquish control to those who do.

Marvel Studios has officially introduced the next generation of Wakanda, announcing British actor David Jonsson as the adult Prince T’Challa in Black Panther 3. The reveal was made during Marvel’s Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler confirmed his return to helm the highly anticipated sequel. The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 15, 2028.

Rather than recasting Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa, Jonsson will portray his son, also named T’Challa, known as Toussaint who was introduced as a young boy in the closing moments of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The decision continues Marvel’s approach of honouring Boseman’s legacy while advancing the story through a new generation of Wakandan heroes.

Jonsson joined Coogler, Letitia Wright and Winston Duke on stage for the announcement, where he thanked the cast and fans, saying he was honoured to join the Marvel family.

Wright, who returns as Shuri, has also expressed excitement about welcoming Jonsson into the franchise, with Shuri expected to remain a central figure in Wakanda’s future.

The 32-year-old actor has quickly emerged as one of Britain’s most exciting rising stars, earning acclaim for performances in Rye Lane, Industry, Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk. His casting continues Marvel’s tradition of elevating breakout talent to headline major franchises.

Marvel also confirmed that Academy Award-winning director Ryan Coogler is returning to write and direct the third installment, while acclaimed actor Denzel Washington is set to join the cast in an undisclosed role, adding even more anticipation to the next chapter of the Black Panther saga.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially launched a new political party, formalising his split with former ally Ousmane Sonko and setting the stage for a fresh political contest within the country’s ruling camp.

The new party, Republican Patriots, was unveiled on Saturday after months of growing tensions between Faye and Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef party. The two leaders swept to power together in the 2024 presidential election on a joint platform that promised to tackle corruption, create jobs and secure a greater share of Senegal’s oil, gas and mineral wealth.

In recent weeks, several senior Pastef officials, regional leaders and members of the party’s youth wing have defected to Faye’s new movement. Some politicians from the opposition Alliance for the Republic have also joined the president’s camp. The alliance between Faye and Sonko began to unravel over disagreements on key government policies, particularly how Senegal should negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the country grapples with a deepening debt crisis.

Earlier this year, Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister, replacing him with Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. Sonko, however, retained significant political influence after his party maintained its parliamentary majority and he was later elected president of the National Assembly. A new Cabinet formed in June excluded Pastef ministers after Sonko announced that his party would not participate in the government.

The rift has cast uncertainty over the reform agenda that brought the two men to power. Their administration has faced mounting economic pressure after officials discovered that the previous government had underreported billions of dollars in public borrowing, worsening Senegal’s debt burden and complicating efforts to implement campaign promises.

Political analysts say the creation of Republican Patriots marks a new chapter in Senegal’s politics and is likely to reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of local elections in 2027 and the presidential race scheduled for 2029.

The Tanzania Police Force has announced that 36 out of 130 suspects recently arrested in a nationwide crackdown on alleged criminal incitement and conspiracy have been formally arraigned in court.

According to a public statement released by Police Headquarters in Dodoma on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the suspects are facing serious charges linked to terrorism and the promotion of civil unrest.

This development follows an initial report issued by the police on July 9, 2026, which detailed the arrest of 130 individuals across the country.

Authorities stated that the group had been under surveillance by defence and security agencies for their activities on various platforms, including social media, where they were allegedly planning and inciting chaos and violence through protests that do not follow the laws of the country.

The Police Spokesman noted in the statement that the evidence gathered against the accused is comprehensive and covers both digital and physical interactions.

“Evidence collected through various means showed the existence of conspiracy, planning by words and by actions through face-to-face meetings, and discussions in online clubs which even those who managed to enter heard,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the suspects are accused of preparing and distributing various messages through networks and leaflets distributed in various areas.

The allegations against the group extend beyond the organisation of illegal demonstrations.

The police statement revealed a series of alarming plots aimed at destabilising national security and public order.

These included plans to assassinate government leaders and private citizens who did not support their agenda.

In a bid to create widespread panic, the suspects allegedly planned to “burn schools to bring fear and panic to parents and guardians.’

There were also alleged plots to sabotage the national power grid by “blowing up electrical transformers so that the country remains in darkness.’

To further hinder the government’s response to these criminal acts, the suspects reportedly planned to cut down trees to block roads, thereby preventing defence and security forces from reaching targeted areas quickly to provide assistance.

The statement further alleged that the suspects intended to destroy and burn both public and private property.

Perhaps most concerning to authorities were reports of planned attacks on security officers with the specific intention of “robbing them of weapons to use them to achieve the goals they had planned.’

The Police Force has categorised these actions as acts of terrorism under Tanzanian law.

In the statement, the spokesman clarified that, legally, terrorist acts include “conspiracy, planning, and inciting to perform acts built on fear to cause great fear to people, planning and inciting to injure and kill people, inciting to rob weapons… and preventing essential services by destroying infrastructure.’

A significant portion of the evidence involves the recovery of dangerous materials.

Police confirmed that among the 36 individuals already brought to court are four suspects who were apprehended in Iringa Region while in possession of 155 explosives.

Authorities have indicated that the legal process is far from over.

“Others will continue to be brought to court, including those who are still being sought following the evidence collected,” the statement noted.

The Tanzania Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has vowed to continue its duties with a high level of professionalism to ensure the safety of all Tanzanians and the nation at large.

The public has been encouraged to remain law-abiding as judicial proceedings against the suspects continue.

The upcoming Nanenane agricultural exhibition in Zanzibar is set to take a new direction, focusing heavily on training women and youth to encourage agribusiness and reduce reliance on food imports.

Attracting investment into farming and livestock forms a core part of the archipelago’s strategic plan to achieve food self-sufficiency.

The 10th edition of the annual exhibition will run from August 1 to 8 at the Dole Kizimbani grounds, featuring 340 exhibitors across the agricultural and livestock sectors.

Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi is expected to officiate as the chief guest.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Mr Suleiman Masoud Makame, said this year’s event will focus on practical demonstrations rather than theory.

“This time we are demonstrating practically where we started and where we have reached. We will hold tailored practical training sessions for farmers and livestock keepers, guiding them on how to start poultry farming or vegetable gardening step by step,” said Mr Makame.

He noted that the exhibition will adopt a more professional approach rather than serving merely as a marketplace for entrepreneurs displaying personal goods.

Mr Makame said the ministry will partner with financial institutions, agricultural organisations, and other stakeholders to teach, advise, and empower women and young people.

Success stories of individuals who built thriving ventures from scratch will also be highlighted to inspire new entrants into farming, livestock, horticulture, and spice cultivation.

A central goal of the event is attracting investment to cut external food reliance, particularly rice, where Zanzibar imports nearly 80 percent of its annual demand of 154,000 tonnes.

“We will utilise this exhibition primarily to pursue investors capable of investing in paddy farming and irrigation infrastructure,” he added.

Under the theme “Youth and women are catalysts for development,” the initiative aims to drive commercial farming.

The ministry is working alongside financial institutions, including the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), to facilitate access to affordable loans.

Participants expressed strong optimism about high turnout, though farmer Rajab Ramadhan Abdallah noted that the grounds require future expansion to accommodate growing interest.

The call was concurred by Minister Makame, confirming that space constraints remain a challenge as application requests continue to arrive.

The opposition Chadema has cleared an initial legal hurdle after the High Court of Tanzania granted it leave to file an application for judicial review against the Registrar of Political Parties.

Delivering the ruling on Thursday, July 23, 2026, High Court Judge Irvin Mgeta of the Manyara Sub-Registry also dismissed three preliminary objections raised by the Registrar and the Attorney General (AG).

Crucially, the court issued a temporary injunction restraining the Registrar from penalising the main opposition party pending the final determination of the main application. The ruling stems from application number 12812 of 2026, brought by Chadema’s Secretary General and the party’s Board of Trustees.

The applicants were represented by advocates Mpare Mpoki, Nyaronyo Kicheere, Jebra Kambole, and Hekima Mwasipu.

The legal dispute was triggered by a letter dated May 7, 2026, from the Registrar, requiring Chadema to show cause why it should not face suspension or financial penalties for alleged violations of sections 9(2) and 19(2)(f) of the Political Parties Act (Cap 258), as amended in 2023.

Among the accusations, the Registrar alleged that Chadema interfered with the judicial process by demanding the unconditional release of its National Chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.

The Registrar cited inflammatory and disrespectful remarks allegedly made by party leaders against public officials, including the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

In response, Chadema challenged the notice as irrational, unlawful, and biased.

The party argued that the Registrar wrongly cited provisions applicable only to provisionally registered parties, held the party accountable for personal statements made by individual members, and demonstrated pre-judgment in public media statements broadcast.

Furthermore, Chadema cited the arbitrary suspension of its subsidies and non-recognition of its elected leadership as clear evidence of bias.

Dismissing the state’s preliminary objections regarding alleged flaws in Chadema’s affidavits, Judge Mgeta ruled that the objections lacked merit and confirmed that the party met all procedural criteria for judicial review.

‘The application was filed within the statutory six-month timeframe, and the applicants have demonstrated sufficient interest and an arguable case that merits judicial determination,’ noted Judge Mgeta.

The temporary order preventing the Registrar from imposing sanctions or fines against Chadema remains active until the main judicial review application is fully heard and decided.