Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Dr Tulia Ackson has cited greater participation of women and young people in parliamentary decision-making, institutional reforms and strengthened parliamentary diplomacy among the key achievements of her three-year tenure.

Dr Ackson, who arrived in Arusha to inspect preparations for the 153rd IPU Assembly scheduled for October 5 to 9, 2026 said her presidency had focused on making the global parliamentary body more inclusive.

She said the IPU had worked with member parliaments, including countries where women’s representation remains low, to widen opportunities for women and young people to participate in decision-making. ‘During my presidency, gender equality and youth participation have been among the priorities of the IPU. I am proud that we have made changes that have created greater opportunities for women and young people to participate in parliamentary decision-making,’ she said.

IPU data shows that women currently account for 27.5 per cent of parliamentarians globally, while only 2.8 per cent of parliamentarians are aged below 30.

Dr Ackson said constitutional and procedural reforms had also strengthened gender equality and lowered the age threshold for young parliamentarians.

Her presidency, which began in October 2023, also placed emphasis on parliamentary diplomacy, including engagement with countries affected by conflict.

Her first official visit as IPU president was to Israel and Palestine, followed by engagements in countries including Burkina Faso. Parliamentary diplomacy also supported dialogue between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr Ackson said the approach had become increasingly important as parliaments dealt with conflicts and humanitarian challenges around the world.

During her tenure, the IPU also revised procedures for handling emergency matters, allowing its Assembly to consider several pressing international issues rather than focusing on a single crisis.

‘Previously, if we had to vote, we could end up choosing one issue to discuss and leaving another aside. Now, I have created an opportunity for us to consider multiple issues that require priority,’ she said.

She cited climate-related disasters in countries including Venezuela and Nepal, as well as conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, the war in Ukraine and developments in Iran, as issues requiring parliamentary attention.

Dr Ackson also identified the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) as an emerging challenge for parliaments, particularly in protecting human rights and human dignity.

She said AI could be used to generate false information capable of affecting people’s rights, making appropriate laws and regulations necessary.

‘Under the next leadership, we want the use of artificial intelligence to be in a way that does not undermine human rights or human dignity,’ she said.

She urged parliaments to learn from countries that have started developing AI legislation, while ensuring the technology supports lawmakers rather than replacing them.

‘We want AI to help us make better laws, but AI should not be the one making laws for us,’ she said.

Earlier, Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu said Tanzania would host the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha from October 5 to 9.

He said the gathering would enable parliamentarians from around the world to exchange experiences and discuss issues affecting their countries and the international community.

The assembly is expected to bring together representatives from all 183 IPU member parliaments.

Speaker Zungu said Dr Ackson was elected the 31st IPU president in Luanda, Angola, in October 2023, becoming the first African woman to hold the position.

Her successor is expected to be elected during the Arusha assembly.

Arusha Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla said security measures had been strengthened ahead of the international parliamentary gathering.

Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr Amos Makalla has assured the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General, Ambassador Anda Cristina Filip that the region is ready to host the 153rd IPU Assembly, with preparations for the event completed.

The assembly, which will be held in Tanzania for the first time, is scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

Speaking on Thursday, October 1, 2026, when he met Ambassador Filip at his office in Arusha, Mr Makalla said the region had been preparing for the assembly for an extended period, with security given priority. He said various institutions had continued working together to ensure the assembly was conducted successfully and concluded smoothly.

‘Our preparations have been ongoing for a long time, and security remains one of our top priorities. Various institutions have continued to collaborate to ensure the assembly is successfully held and concluded,’ he said.

Arusha Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla hosts Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Ambassador Anda Cristina Filip and other officials during a meeting to discuss preparations for the 153rd IPU Assembly, scheduled to begin at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) on Monday, October 5, 2026. PHOTO | COURTESY

Ambassador Filip thanked Mr Makalla for the warm reception and cooperation extended by the region, while commending the preparations made ahead of the high-profile parliamentary gathering.

“The assembly is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from 183 IPU member parliaments, including 65 Speakers from parliaments around the world,” she said.

Ms Filip said the meeting would discuss a range of international issues, including the leadership of the IPU and the election of a new president following the completion of Dr Tulia Ackson’s three-year term.

She also expressed optimism that the assembly would be successful and provide participants with an opportunity to experience Tanzania’s tourism attractions.

The 153rd IPU Assembly is scheduled to run from October 5 to 9 at the AICC in Arusha.

The meeting will bring together parliamentarians and other participants from IPU member parliaments for discussions on governance, parliamentary cooperation and other international issues.

Tanzania’s hosting of the assembly is expected to place Arusha at the centre of international parliamentary diplomacy during the five-day meeting.

The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments and was founded in 1889 to promote parliamentary dialogue and cooperation, peace, democracy and sustainable development.

The Zanzibar Land Commission has warned land brokers and members of the public against selling or buying Government-reserved land set aside for development and agricultural projects.

The warning was issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Mussa Kombo Bakari, during a press briefing at the commission’s offices in Mwanakwerekwe, Unguja.

Mr Bakari said some brokers had recently been advertising reserved land on social media without verifying its ownership or permitted use.

He identified Paje, Jambiani, Fumba, Bwejuu, Michamvi, Makunduchi and Kendwa among areas where such cases had been reported.

‘The commission recognises that some of these areas do not belong to the people using brokers to advertise them for sale. Some are Government agricultural and forest reserves,’ he said.

Mr Bakari said transferring such land was prohibited and could constitute a criminal offence.

He cited the Land Commission Act No. 6 of 2015 and the Land Tenure Act No. 12 of 1992, which give the commission authority to designate land for specific uses. He said those who violate the laws could face fines and imprisonment.

He also warned brokerage companies to verify the legality of land before accepting assignments to advertise it.

‘We will start arresting those who advertise such land, and they will be required to identify the people who hired them,’ Mr Bakari said.

He said the Government had reserved land for major development projects, making it important to protect the areas from illegal transactions.

The commission also advised prospective buyers to verify land ownership and status with the commission before making payments.

Mr Bakari said people allocated land for specific purposes must obtain approval from the Minister for Lands and Housing before changing its use.

He said the public warning was intended to prevent disputes and financial losses arising from illegal land transactions.

The commission’s Public Relations Officer, Raya Akida Haji, also urged buyers to verify the status of plots before purchasing them.

She said changing the approved use of land without following the required procedures was an offence and advised the public to comply with the relevant regulations.

After spending the past two weeks on international assignments, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba have now shifted their attention to the October 10 Kariakoo Derby at Uhuru Stadium, with both coaches facing the task of quickly rebuilding their squads ahead of the high stakes encounter.

The international break came at a crucial point in the 2026/2027 NBC Premier League campaign, with the two traditional rivals occupying the top two positions after winning all six of their opening matches.

Yanga lead the standings on 18 points, having scored 16 goals and conceded two, while Simba are second on 18 points after scoring 11 and conceding two. The five goal difference separating the sides means the October 10 encounter could have a direct impact on the order at the top of the table. The two teams also enter the derby with an existing coaching storyline, as Yanga’s Manqoba Mngqithi defeated Simba counterpart Steve Barker in their first competitive meeting.

Mngqithi’s Yanga won the Community Shield 1-0 at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on August 12, with Albert Kangwanda scoring the decisive goal. The result handed Mngqithi an early trophy and gave him victory in the first tactical contest against Barker.

The October meeting, however, will be a different test, with league points at stake and both coaches having had to manage squads affected by international commitments.

Yanga supplied several players to national teams for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifying matches. Taifa Stars included Ibrahim Bacca, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Mohammed Hussein, Mudathir Yahya and Selemani Mwalimu, while Mohamed Mussa was also involved with Tanzania’s youth set-up.

The defending champions also had a strong foreign representation. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was with Mali, Housseine Zakouani with Comoros, Albert Kangwanda with Zambia, Peter Shalulile with Namibia and Duke Abuya with Kenya.

Some of those players accumulated substantial playing time. Bacca, Mwamnyeto and Mohammed Hussein played the full 90 minutes for Taifa Stars against Guinea-Bissau, while Mwalimu played 62 minutes and Mudathir came on for 28 minutes. Diarra also played the full match for Mali, Abuya completed 90 minutes for Kenya, Shalulile played 89 minutes for Namibia, Kangwanda 68 minutes for Zambia and Zakouani 22 minutes for Comoros. Simba, meanwhile, had 10 players called up to various national teams during the break.

Yusuph Kagoma, Morice Abraham and Nathaniel Chilambo joined Taifa Stars, while Inno Loemba represented Congo Brazzaville and goalkeeper Djibrilla Kassali was with Niger. The club also had players involved with Tanzania’s Under-23 and Under-20 teams.

Kassali carried the heaviest workload among Simba’s senior international contingent, playing 90 minutes for Niger, while Chilambo featured for Taifa Stars. The travelling and recovery demands now add another consideration for Barker as he brings the squad together ahead of the derby.

Simba have already used the international window partly to prepare for the encounter, sending a section of their squad to a 10-day camp in Polokwane, South Africa. Barker is expected to integrate the returning internationals with the players who remained in camp.

At Yanga, Mngqithi is similarly expected to assess the condition of returning internationals while refining his tactical approach for a match that pits the league’s top two sides against each other.

With both clubs level on points and separated only by goal difference, the derby is shaping up as an early examination of their title campaigns, while also offering Barker an opportunity to respond after losing the first coaching battle to Mngqithi in the Community Shield.

The opening of seven public toilets in Paje has highlighted the growing need for basic sanitation infrastructure as the popular southern Unguja destination expands as a residential, tourism and commercial centre.

South Unguja Regional Commissioner Hamida Mussa Khamis said public toilets were important in protecting the environment and ensuring residents and visitors had access to basic sanitation facilities.

She made the remarks on Saturday after launching the facilities, which were constructed by Floton Africa Foundation at a cost of Sh40 million. Ms Khamis said Paje’s growth had increased the need for essential social infrastructure and would help discourage people from relieving themselves in unauthorised areas.

She urged residents to use the facilities properly and keep them clean, saying the effectiveness of public sanitation infrastructure depended on responsible use and regular maintenance.

The development highlights a wider challenge facing rapidly growing destinations such as Paje, where population growth, tourism and commercial activity are increasing pressure on public services.

For local authorities, the challenge extends beyond constructing toilets to ensuring they are accessible, properly maintained and incorporated into broader efforts to keep public spaces clean.

South Municipal Council Chairman Ramadhan Makame Mbanja and its Director, Mussa Haji Mussa, said the council was working to ensure essential services reached communities in areas with high concentrations of people and commercial activity.

They said public facilities were particularly important in areas where people regularly gather, making sanitation a shared public concern rather than an issue limited to individual households.

Swapna Brahmaroutu, who represented the Floton Africa Foundation, said the organisation was ready to work with South Unguja regional authorities to address social challenges requiring urgent attention.

The seven facilities are expected to provide an immediate response to sanitation needs in Paje, although their long-term contribution to public health and environmental cleanliness will depend on regular cleaning, maintenance and responsible use.

African countries have been urged to harness science and technology to protect rangelands, strengthen livestock resilience and safeguard pastoralism as a major source of livelihoods and economic activity.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) animal health and livestock production specialist Moses Olenesele said technology could help detect climate and environmental threats early, allowing authorities and communities to respond before grazing areas are severely affected.

Dr Olenesele was speaking on Thursday October 1, 2026 during celebrations of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 in Longido District, Arusha Region. ‘Technology is particularly important in addressing climate change early-from monitoring weather conditions and rainfall patterns to detecting grass and plant diseases and invasive species before they affect the remaining rangelands,’ he said.

He said population growth, invasive species, land encroachment and the expansion of agriculture into dryland areas were placing increasing pressure on rangelands and threatening the foundation of pastoral economies.

Dr Olenesele said technology could improve rangeland productivity and resilience while protecting ecosystems that support livestock, wildlife, tourism, water resources and rural communities.

‘Rangelands do not support pastoralists alone. They also support wildlife and other ecosystems, while contributing to tourism and the wider national economy,’ he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, environmental and climate experts, pastoral communities and other stakeholders to improve rangeland management.

‘This is not the responsibility of one institution. Through collaboration among governments, researchers, climate and environmental experts, communities and other stakeholders, we can protect and improve our rangelands so that they continue to benefit us,’ he said.

The celebrations were accompanied by a livestock vaccination campaign targeting goats, sheep and dogs as part of efforts to promote sustainable pastoralism and improve animal health.

Pastoralism Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa (PLACE) project coordinator Malogo Kongola said the celebrations were intended to highlight the contribution of pastoralism to food security, environmental management and economic growth.

He said pastoralists needed secure access to grazing areas and water, supported by policies and laws that promote sustainable rangeland management.

‘Pastoralism contributes to the production of meat, milk, hides and other livestock products. Countries therefore need strategies that support pastoralists while improving and protecting rangelands,’ Mr Kongola said.

Longido District livestock officer Godwin Shirima said the celebrations coincided with a campaign to vaccinate 5,000 goats and sheep and 200 dogs against diseases including peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and rabies.

He said vaccination would help reduce livestock deaths, disease transmission and treatment costs, protecting pastoralists from losses and improving the profitability of livestock keeping.

‘When livestock deaths and treatment costs decline, production costs also fall, enabling pastoralists to earn more from their livestock activities,’ Mr Shirima said.

Most hotels in Zanzibar compete on scale. Shah Palace has chosen to compete on premium exclusivity. With 50 highly curated rooms, the 5-star hotel has taken a deliberately different approach: handcrafted beauty, personalised service, and a stretch of the northeast coast that still feels like a discovery.

Matemwe is the right address for it. The village sits roughly an hour’s drive from the airport, far enough from the Stone Town circuit to keep large crowds away and close enough to Mnemba Atoll that some of the archipelago’s best snorkelling and marine experiences are just a short boat ride away.

The setting is central to the experience. Shah Palace sits above the coast, with views stretching toward the Indian Ocean and Mnemba beyond it. Rather than trying to separate itself from Zanzibar, the property draws heavily from the island around it: carved wood, brass, stone, textiles, palms, local craftsmanship and the colours of the coast.

The result is a hotel that feels rooted in its location rather than transplanted onto it.

Service, however, is where the property intends to distinguish itself most clearly. Luxury at this level is measured in anticipation, and Shah Palace has staffed accordingly. The team, led by General Manager William Ruwa Gona, has spent the pre-opening months focused on a single question: What will our guests need before they even think to ask for it?

That philosophy extends beyond traditional hotel service. The aim is for the experience to feel personal without becoming intrusive; a difficult balance in a property designed around privacy. From the arrival to the room, from the beach to the dining table, the details are intended to feel considered rather than simply provided.

The architecture follows the same principle. Shah Palace takes cues from the wider history of the Swahili coast and the trading cultures that shaped Zanzibar, bringing together elements inspired by Rajasthan, Arabia, Persia and Stone Town. Carved details, textured walls, brass accents and traditional materials sit alongside contemporary spaces, creating something that feels collected over time rather than designed from a single catalogue.

For guests, the location also opens up a different rhythm of Zanzibar. A morning can begin on the water around Mnemba, continue with lunch overlooking the ocean, and end with dinner beneath the stars. Beyond the property are fishing villages, coral reefs, sandbanks, spice farms and the quieter stretches of the northeast coast.

There is also a deliberate sense of ceremony to the experience. Shah Palace does not treat the island simply as scenery outside the gates. Zanzibar’s culture, craftsmanship and history are woven into the property itself, while experiences around the island give guests an opportunity to encounter the destination beyond the usual resort itinerary.

Zanzibar has no shortage of beautiful hotels. What Shah Palace is attempting is something more specific: to create a private world that still feels unmistakably connected to Zanzibar.

Fifty rooms. A remote stretch of Matemwe. The Indian Ocean at the doorstep. And a service philosophy built around noticing the details before they need to be mentioned.

It is a different way to experience the island: quieter, more considered, and intentionally personal.

Tanzania needs greater private-sector participation to achieve the goals of its Development Vision 2050, with public officials urged to create a conducive environment for investors.

The call was made on September 30, 2026 by national Uhuru Torch leader Wazo Mwang’onda during the laying of the foundation stone for Abana Private Hospital in Rujewa, Mbarali District.

Mr Mwang’onda also commended Mbarali District Council for implementing the Government’s 10 per cent lending scheme and creating a favourable environment for investment. He said private-sector investment would play an important role in achieving the objectives of the Development Vision 2050, while the new hospital would bring specialist healthcare closer to residents who currently travel long distances to Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital for treatment.

‘President Samia has created a conducive environment for private investors. I commend Mbarali District Council for effectively implementing this strategy. Residents will now have access to quality and specialist healthcare services closer to home,’ he said.

Mr Mwang’onda said the private sector was expected to make a significant contribution towards achieving the Development Vision 2050, urging both local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania.

A view of the Abana Hospital building in Rujewa, Mbarali District, where the foundation stone was laid during the Uhuru Torch Race on September 30, 2026

On the Government’s lending programme, he said 10 per cent of council revenues was allocated to economic empowerment programmes, with four per cent going to women, four per cent to young people, and two per cent to people with disabilities.

He said the Government had also set aside Sh200 billion to support young people economically, urging them to take advantage of available opportunities.

Mr Mwang’onda handed over agricultural equipment, including a tractor and farm inputs, to beneficiaries, commending the council for effectively implementing and supervising the empowerment programme.

Mbarali MP Bahati Ndingo attributed the council’s performance to effective leadership and opportunities provided by the Government to residents.

‘By yesterday, I was informed that we had registered 240 youth groups, exceeding our target. This demonstrates the capacity and effectiveness of our leaders, starting with the council,’ he said.

He added that the council had continued to create a favourable environment for investors, expressing confidence that the hospital project would encourage more local and foreign investors to invest in Mbarali.

George Silla, secretary of the Semkela group, said the project would improve their farming efficiency and help them become economically self-reliant, with a target of producing up to 3.5 tonnes of rice.

‘The project aims to increase productivity and crop production through modern rice farming and sustainable cattle fattening. The project costs Sh139 million and is being financed through the 10 per cent lending programme,’ he said.

Abana Hospital director Dr Chintony Robart said construction of the hospital building would cost Sh2.6 billion upon completion and would bring healthcare services closer to residents, reducing unnecessary costs and preventable deaths.

‘The project started on December 23, 2023, and is expected to be completed on September 25, 2027. We thank the Government for creating opportunities for local investors and expect to provide quality services to the people,’ Dr Robart said.

He said the completed project would create 62 permanent jobs and 21 other employment opportunities, while providing inpatient and specialist services to an estimated 42,013 people from within and outside the area.

Meanwhile, while in Mbarali District, the Uhuru Torch visited seven projects worth more than Sh4.5 billion, where it launched projects, laid foundation stones and inspected ongoing developments.

The Uhuru Torch is scheduled to visit 46 projects worth more than Sh63 billion across Mbeya Region before completing its tour on October 5. It will then be handed over to Songwe Region before concluding its national journey in Rukwa Region, where it will be extinguished.

The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi (right), the Chairman of the SBT’s Board of Directors, Filbert Michael Mponzi (centre), and the SBT Director General, Prof. Kenneth Bengesi (left), pose for a group photo shortly after Hon. Ndejembi presented SBT with the award for third place nationally in the category of Non-Commercial Public Institutions at the Public Financial Management Excellence Awards. The awards were presented on September 28, 2026, in Arusha, during the Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of Public Institutions and Organizations Working Session (C-CEOs Forum 2026), held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

The Sugar Board of Tanzania (SBT) has secured national acclaim after emerging as the third-best performing institution in the Non-Commercial Public Entities category during the prestigious Public Financial Management Awards.

The award was presented on September 28, 2026, in Arusha during the Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers Forum (C-CEOs Forum 2026), held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

SBT Board Chairman Mr. Filbert Michael Mponzi and Director General Prof. Kenneth Bengesi received the award from the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Deogratius Ndejembi, who represented President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The high-level conference, organized by the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR), serves as a strategic platform to evaluate performance, governance, and financial accountability across state-owned entities. Outlining the rigorous criteria used to evaluate non-commercial entities, Treasury Registrar Mr. Nehemiah Mchechu stated:

‘This award is presented to institutions that have strengthened revenue collection, controlled expenditure, reduced dependency on government subsidies, and improved operational surplus and liquidity in their audited accounts for the 2024/25 financial year. While all entities performed well, ten stood out as the top performers.’

Mr. Mchechu revealed that SBT clinched 3rd place in this elite category. The Arusha Institute of Accountancy (IAA) took 1st place, while the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) secured 2nd place.

Other institutions featured in the top 10 national ranking included UCSAF, TASAC, PURA, DIB, NHIF, WCF, and PSSSF.

Key factors driving SBT’s success

The Sugar Board’s recognition stems from structural and governance reforms implemented across its regulatory framework:

Blueprint reforms implementation: SBT successfully scrapped 16 nuisance levies and fees, significantly easing regulatory compliance costs for sugar millers and smallholder sugarcane growers.

Elimination of regulatory duplication: The government streamlined overlapping mandates between SBT and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MITI) regarding sugar import permits, eliminating bureaucratic delays.

Financial systems integration: SBT fully digitized its financial management by deploying core government platforms, including the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG), National e-Procurement System (NeST), and the MUSE accounting package.

Clean Audit Track Record: The Board maintained its record of Unqualified (Clean) Audit Opinions from the Controller and Auditor General (CAG).

The primary objective of the Treasury Registrar’s Financial Management Awards is to instill fiscal discipline, transparency, and prudent resource allocation across public organizations.

The awards incentivize statutory bodies to curb unnecessary operational costs, boost internal revenue generation, and ensure that every public shilling delivers maximum value in support of Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050.

Strategic roadmap for future growth

To build upon this achievement and maintain high standards of governance, the Sugar Board of Tanzania has outlined key strategic priorities;

100% Digital Procurement via NeST: Conducting all procurement transactions strictly within the NeST framework to ensure total compliance with public procurement laws.

Automated sector licensing: Fully digitizing permit and licensing processes to provide seamless online services to investors and importers.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Strengthening internal controls and risk management frameworks prior to external CAG audits.

SIDTF Account Stewardship: Enhancing financial transparency regarding the Sugar Industry Development Trust Fund to build stakeholder confidence among growers and millers.

Attaining Sugar Self-Sufficiency: Working closely with domestic sugar millers (including Kagera, TPC, Kilombero, Mtibwa, Mkulazi, Bagamoyo and Manyara Sugar) to boost local production, save foreign exchange, and guarantee national food security.

The SBT Management highly commends the Board Chairman and all members of the Board of Directors for their continuous strategic guidance and advice in overseeing the implementation of the Board’s operations

Tanzania and Oman have strengthened their longstanding historical, cultural, economic and social ties through the media sector following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Oman Journalists Association (OJA), Tanzania Union of Journalists and Media Workers (JOWUTA) and Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF).

The agreement was signed during a joint media conference involving journalists from Tanzania and Oman in Dar es Salaam, with its implementation set to run for 12 months under a work plan designed to achieve the agreed objectives.

Speaking at the opening of the conference on October 1, 2026 Director of the Middle East Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Abdallah Abasi Kilima, said Tanzania and Oman had a long history of relations built through trade, culture and people-to-people ties. He said the Indian Ocean had not been a barrier between the two sides but had connected their people through trade, language, knowledge and culture.

Ambassador Kilima said journalists had an important role to play in documenting and explaining this shared history to the current generation, particularly young people who may have limited knowledge of the longstanding ties between Tanzania and Oman.

He commended JOWUTA and TEF for organising the conference, saying the implementation of the MoU would create opportunities for training, capacity building, professional exchange visits and experience sharing, as well as greater cooperation in tourism and sports.

JOWUTA chairman Mussa Juma Juma said the conference was an important step towards strengthening relations between Tanzania and Oman, adding that journalists had chosen to play a central role in advancing the longstanding ties between the two countries.

He said the cooperation would focus on media freedom, professional and technological knowledge sharing, tourism, trade and investment opportunities, as well as exchange programmes involving journalists from Tanzania and Oman.

Mr Juma said JOWUTA had brought journalists from the two countries together to discuss how the media could strengthen people-to-people relations.

He also invited Omani investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania’s media sector, including radio, television and newspapers.

TEF chairman Deodatus Balile said the Indian Ocean had long served as an important link between Tanzania and Oman, adding that cooperation between journalists from the two countries could help preserve and build on that shared history for present and future generations.

Mr Balile said the 12-month work plan should include exchange visits, joint news production and professional training, including the use of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the media industry.

OJA chairman Dr Mohammed Mubarak Al-Araimi said relations between Oman and Tanzania had deep historical roots and extended beyond geographical boundaries.

He said Zanzibar was among the key areas that had served as a centre for interaction between Omani and African communities through trade, culture and social ties.

Dr Al-Araimi said the media had a responsibility to use this history as a foundation for strengthening present and future relations by connecting people, preserving historical records and creating new opportunities for cooperation in trade, culture, tourism and investment.

He also highlighted the history of the media in Zanzibar, saying newspapers had played a role in education, communication and the exchange of ideas. He cited historic publications including Al-Najah, Al-Falaq, Al-Nahda and Al-Murshid.

Omani Ambassador to Tanzania Saud Hilal Al Shidhani congratulated the organisers of the conference and said relations between Oman and Tanzania had a strong historical and cultural foundation.

He said the use of Kiswahili in Oman had helped facilitate communication and strengthen ties between the people of the two countries, alongside Arabic and English.

Ambassador Al Shidhani said cooperation in the media sector would help build capacity, exchange knowledge and strengthen professional journalism standards at a time when social media and technology were transforming the industry.

The conference brought together journalists, leaders and stakeholders from Tanzania and Oman to establish a framework for sustained cooperation through training, exchange visits, joint news production, tourism, trade and investment.

The conference concluded with JOWUTA, TEF and OJA signing the MoU, whose implementation will be guided by a 12-month work plan.