Tanzania Suspends Newspaper for Making President’s Animations Over Killing of Dissidents

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Tanzania Suspends Newspaper for Making President’s Animations Over Killing of Dissidents

The Tanzania Government has suspended the online operations of The Citizen, one of the country’s leading English-language newspapers, following the release of animated videos depicting President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The animations, which referenced the recent abductions and killings of political dissidents, have sparked significant controversy in the country.

One of the videos, released earlier this week, portrayed President Hassan watching news reports about dissidents and victims of state repression, indirectly accusing her government of involvement. Hassan has faced increasing criticism, both domestically and internationally, over allegations that security forces were responsible for the kidnappings and murders of opposition figures.

In recent months, her administration has intensified its crackdown on opposition activities, banning two major rallies organised by the Chadema party since August and briefly detaining some of its leaders. These actions have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and Western governments, including the United States, who accuse Hassan of backtracking on democratic reforms.

On Wednesday, The Citizen announced that its online operations had been suspended for 30 days by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). The regulatory body stated that the newspaper’s animated videos presented “negative interpretations for the nation, something that affects and undermines national unity, peace, and cohesion.”

In response, The Citizen removed the animations and issued a statement acknowledging the “misinterpretation” the videos had generated.

The videos, which have since been taken down, included a scene where the father of artist Shadrack Chaula, who was sentenced to two years in prison in July for burning a picture of President Hassan, is heard saying, “Dead or alive… I want to see my child,” while the president watches silently from a sofa.

President Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli in 2021, was initially praised for easing restrictions on opposition rallies and the media. However, critics argue that her recent actions reflect a return to the repressive measures seen during her predecessor’s authoritarian rule. With local elections scheduled for November and a general election in 2025, observers fear that political repression may intensify.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania Holds Key Interest Rate Steady

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

THE Bank of Tanzania (BoT) maintained its key lending rate at 6 per cent for the quarter ending December citing easing inflationary pressures and a positive economic outlook.

The Central bank governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, said in a statement that improving domestic and global conditions supported the decision to hold the rate steady by the monetary policy committee which met on Wednesday.

In the two quarters to September, the central bank held the benchmark rate at 6 per cent from 5.5 per cent that was announced in January when the bank introduced the rate.

The central bank targets to maintain inflation below 5 per cent, but consumer inflation has stayed comfortably below that figure, despite growing pressure on the shilling.

Inflation increased to 3.1 per cent year-on-year in August from 3.0 per cent the previous month, data from the National Bureau of Statistics show.

An economist and investment banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo said the rate was likely to be maintained given the continued improvement in the global economy with inflation rate declining.

However, Dr Shayo raised concerns about the significant disparity between the Bank of Tanzania’s (BOT) key lending rate and the double-digit lending rates offered by commercial banks to customers.

He questioned the reasons behind this mismatch, suggesting that risk premiums alone cannot account for the high borrowing costs faced by consumers and businesses.

“Who will explain this significant discrepancy between the central bank rate and the commercial banks’ lending rates, which remain in double digits? What can account for the reality of expensive loans, aside from risk premiums?” he inquired.

Bank lending rates in Tanzania decreased slightly to 12.78 per cent in July from 12.82 per cent in June. Despite this minor decline, the spread between the central bank’s rate and commercial bank rates remains substantial.

The Head of Research and Financial Analytics at Alpha Capital, Imani Muhingo, said maintenance of the CBR at 6 per cent was expected, especially as inflation is still at the bottom of the target range, while US’s rate cut and seasonal foreign inflows are expected to relieve foreign exchange pressures.

ALSO READ: FED rate cut: The resounding effects (Part 1)

Despite presumed liquidity pressure in the banking sector, cutting rates would be moving in too quick given the time lag of US’s policy, he said.

Financial analysts were divided on their prediction on the new central bank rate, with opinions varying on the whether to increase, maintain, or slightly decrease the key rate.

Some predicted the central bank would maintain the rate at 6.0 per cent for the third consecutive time, citing stable inflation and favourable macroeconomic conditions.

Others suggested there would be a modest reduction to stimulate investment and support private sector credit growth given the recent US Fed rate cut.

Meanwhile, Mr Tutuba told reporters that foreign currency availability improved from July to September 2024 alongside the tourism season and sales of agricultural products and exports, as well as rising gold prices in the global market.

He stated that as a result of this trend, the depreciation rate of the shilling decreased to 10.1 per cent for the year ending September 2024, down from 12.5 per cent for the year ending June 2024.

Tutuba mentioned that foreign reserves increased to 5,413.6 million US dollars by the end of September 2024, up from 5,345.5 million US dollars in June 2024, sufficient to cover over four months of imports, aligning with the country’s goals.

He projected that foreign currency availability is expected to continue improving, driven by rising gold prices in the global market, tourism activities and sales of natural products like cashews, tobacco, coffee and cotton, as well as exports of staple foods like maize and rice to neighboring countries.

This improvement will also be supported by a decrease in fertiliser imports and declining energy product prices, which are expected to reduce the demand for foreign currency and enforce legal requirements regarding quoting and making payments in Tanzanian shillings.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania suspends Mwananchi Communications online publications over ‘prohibited content’

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Tanzania has suspended online publications of Tanzania’s Mwananchi Communications Limited over what it termed as publication of “prohibited content”.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the government body that regulates the electronic and postal communication services, issued an order suspending the provision of “online media services” of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) for 30 days.

As a result, the affected products —The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti — will not be available online for the prescribed days. 

“On October 1, 2024, Mwananchi Communications Limited published an audio-visual content in social media platforms, content that is prohibited… Further the published content threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace of the United Republic,” said TCRA’s Director-General Jabiri K. Bakari in a statement. 

He added: “Notice is hereby given to the general public that, following the publication of the prohibited content, which is a violation of the law, TCRA has suspended the Online Medial Services Licences issued to Mwananchi Communications Limited t/a The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti and ordered it to suspend provision of online media services in the United Republic of Tanzania for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, pending other regulatory actions being undertaken.”

The suspension took effect immediately.

MCL posted messages of compliance on all its websites and social media pages, reiterating its commitment to resolving the matter with the regulator. 

“Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) remains committed to delivering exceptional journalism that empowers the nation. We will continue to serve you, our esteemed readers, through our daily print editions, and other non-online products and offerings as we engage the regulators on a way forward,” MCL said in a notice to its audience.

MCL is a publication of the Nation Media Group.

The ‘prohibited content’ relates to an animation that MCL shared on The Citizen’s social media accounts regarding recent abductions and kidnappings in Tanzania. It prompted the regulator to shut down on all the company’s digital platforms.

“In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2020, the licensee is required not to publish prohibited content that include: content that is against the public order, content that aimed to ridicule and harm the reputation, prestige and status of the United Republic,” read the TCRA statement. 

According to the Tanzanian Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, “a person shall not publish any prohibited content as set out in the Third Schedule.” 

Further, the regulation states: “A person shall not render, possess or distribute technology, programme, application or any other related thing that allows or helps users to have access to prohibited content.”

The law does not, however, define the criteria for determining what constitutes a violation.

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Tanzania joins Lobito Corridor linking Indian Ocean to Atlantic

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General Image

By Luke Anami

The Lobito Corridor project, which connects four African countries, is ready for implementation after the US awarded a technical assistance grant for an environmental assessment study.

A feasibility study and the signing of the concession agreement is also complete for the 780km greenfield railway connecting the Lobito rail line in Luacano, Angola, to the existing railway line in Chingola, Zambia. 

The African Finance Corporation (AFC), the lead developer of the Zambia-Lobito railway, signed a concession agreement with the governments of Zambia and Angola to develop and operate the rail on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

During the ceremony attended by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US Trade and Development Agency awarded a technical assistance grant of $2 million to the AFC for an environmental and social impact assessment.

Blinken also announced the official joining of Tanzania in the project. 

Read: US taps Tanzania in battle with China for minerals

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“The Lobito Corridor – connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – is one of our biggest projects. The ultimate goal is infrastructure connecting the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean,” Mr Blinken said. 

“Today, Tanzania is also joining conversations about the Lobito Corridor for the first time – something we very much welcome.” 

The expansion of the Lobito Corridor to include Tanzania is meant to allow the project to run all the way to the Indian Ocean to facilitate transportation of nickel and other minerals.

Blinken said that so far, the United States and its partners have committed over $4 billion to Lobito Corridor projects.

USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong said the project would facilitate economic activity, trade and critical minerals development between the Port of Lobito in Angola and Zambia’s Copperbelt.

Read: US commits $360m to Lobito Corridor project

US priority

“This project will help reshape the economic landscape of Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and it will foster trade while uplifting the people whose livelihoods will be tied to economic activity along the corridor,” Dr Ebong said.

“Support for the rail line will contribute to the development of the Lobito Corridor, a US government priority under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) that seeks to provide a private sector-driven, sustainable and transparent option for emerging markets seeking infrastructure investment to accelerate inclusive economic development.”

Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC, said that once completed, the Zambia-Lobito Rail Corridor will create a trans-continental trade corridor that will facilitate trade and investment across Africa and in various sectors, including mining, agriculture, energy and tourism.

“We are therefore pleased to receive this project preparation grant from USTDA to advance the ESIA for the project, underscoring the significance of investing in enabling infrastructure in Africa to secure trade routes and enable critical minerals supply for the global energy transition.”

The high-level discussion advanced PGI’s flagship Lobito Corridor, which aims to develop trans-continental link from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.  

Foreign ministers of Angola, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia attended the event, alongside the European Partnerships Commissioner, Italian Vice Foreign Minister, the AFC CEO and Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Human Development of the African Development Bank.

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Tanzania, Marekani kupambana kichaa cha mbwa, watoto watajwa kuwa hatarini

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Mwanza. Wakati ugonjwa wa kichaa cha mbwa ukitajwa kusababisha vifo vya zaidi ya watu 59,000 duniani kila mwaka, Serikali ya Tanzania na Marekani zimeamua kuungana ili kupambana nao ikiwemo kuelimisha umma juu ya ugonjwa huo.

Hatua hiyo inakuja ikiwa kichaa cha mbwa bado ni tishio kubwa la afya ya umma nchini Tanzania hasa katika jamii zenye uelewa mdogo na upatikanaji hafifu wa huduma za mifugo.

Shirika la Marekani la Maendeleo ya Kimataifa (USAID), kupitia Mradi wa Breakthrough Action kwa kushirikiana Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu sehemu ya Afya Moja, Wizara ya Mifugo na Uvuvi, Wizara ya Afya, na Ofisi ya Rais (Tamisemi), wametumia fursa ya maadhimisho ya Siku ya Kichaa cha Mbwa kama sehemu ya juhudi za kimataifa za kupambana na ugonjwa huo.

Kupitia kampeni ya kitaifa ya “Holela-Holela Itakukosti,” yenye lengo la kuiwezesha jamii kupambana na ugonjwa huo, Usaid na Serikali ya Tanzania inawakumbusha wananchi kuwajibika na kuondoa vikwazo ili kushinda vita dhidi ya hatari ya ugonjwa huo.

Awali, wakati wa maadhimisho ya Siku ya Kichaa cha Mbwa, ambayo hufanyika kila mwaka Septemba, 28 kampeni ya “Holela-Holela Itakukosti,” ambayo tafsiri yake ni uzembe ni gharama, ilichukua nafasi kubwa katika kuongeza uelewa kuhusu kichaa cha mbwa, ugonjwa unaosababisha vifo vya zaidi ya watu 59,000 duniani kila mwaka.

Tukio hilo la kitaifa liliongozwa na Abdul Mhinte, Naibu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mifugo na Uvuvi, ambaye amesisitiza umuhimu wa elimu kwa jamii na mikakati ya chanjo katika kupambana na ugonjwa.

Aidha amehimiza kuimarishwa kwa ushirikiano kati ya maofisa wa afya ya umma na jamii za mitaa ili kuimarisha mwitikio wa pamoja.

“Kichaa cha mbwa kinaweza kuzuilika. Lengo letu ni kuhakikisha kila mbwa nchini Tanzania anapatiwa chanjo, na kila mwananchi anajua cha kufanya endapo atang’atwa na mbwa. Kila jamii inapaswa kuchukua jukumu lake katika vita hivi.”

Msisitizo wake juu ya elimu na ushirikiano ulipeleka ujumbe wa matumaini kwa waliohudhuria. Kampeni hiyo inalenga jamii kwa kutoa ujumbe muhimu kuhusu kichaa cha mbwa, kuwachanja na kutafuta huduma za afya mara baada ya tukio la kung’atwa na mbwa.

Watoto, ambao ni miongoni mwa walio hatarini zaidi kuathiriwa na kichaa cha mbwa, wanapewa elimu juu ya kuepuka mwingiliano kama kuwachokoza mbwa hasa wasiowafahamu na wanyama wenye uwezekano wa kuwa na maambukizi.

Shuhuda kadhaa zinaonensha umuhimu wa kampeni hii. Revina, mama wa watoto watatu kutoka Mwanza:”Kabla ya kampeni, sikuwa najua hatari ya kichaa cha mbwa. Tulipojifunza kuwa mbwa wetu wanapaswa kuchanjwa, tulichukua hatua mara moja. Sasa, nina amani kuwaacha watoto wangu kucheza nje.”

Kampeni ya Holela-Holela pia inalenga kupambana na sababu zote zinazochangia kuwepo kwa ugonjwa wa kichaa cha mbwa kama vile uelewa mdogo, juhudi hafifu za chanjo, na usimamizi usio salama wa wanyama.Continue Reading