East Africa: EAC Meet in Zanzibar Reiterates Importance of Political Process to End DR Congo Crisis

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

The three day East African Community (EAC) ministerial retreat that started on July 6 in Zanzibar, Tanzania, concluded Monday with delegates acknowledging that the viable path to sustainable peace and security in volatile eastern DR Congo is “through a political process,” a related communique states.

As noted, the ministers “recommended the convening of a summit of EAC Heads of State to revitalize the political track of the EAC-led Nairobi process in reciprocal coordination with the Luanda process.”

Earlier, on Sunday, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, noted in a post on X, that the meeting took place in a constructive and solution-oriented spirit, with Rwandan and Congolese ministers, demonstrating good will, and underscoring the need for a political solution to the crisis in eastern DR Congo.

Direct engagement and frank discussion this morning in Zanzibar between #DRC‘s Deputy Foreign Minister @HonGraciaYamba and #Rwanda‘s Ministers in @RwandaMFA, facilitated by Tanzania and South Sudan, the two co-chairs of the #EACMinisterialRetreat, in the presence of Ministers… pic.twitter.com/uMkM2KL8zg— Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) July 7, 2024

ALSO READ: Ministers Nduhungirehe, Kabarebe attend EAC retreat on regional security

According to Nduhungirehe, there was “direct engagement and frank discussion” in the morning between him, Minister of State in charge of Regional Cooperation James Kabarebe, and DR Congo Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Gracia Yamba Kazadi. The morning session, pictures of which Nduhungirehe also shared on X, was “facilitated by Tanzania and South Sudan,” the two co-chairs of the EAC Ministerial Retreat, in the presence of ministers from Uganda and Kenya, and the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of political affairs.

ALSO READ: Kiir’s trip reaffirms commitment to EAC-led Nairobi process to avert deterioration of DR Congo crisis

“In this regard, concrete decisions were taken to reinvigorate Luanda and Nairobi peace processes,” Nduhungirehe noted.

‘Not so fast’

But the immediate response from Kinshasa, on X, did not seem to suggest that all was well.

“Not so fast, @onduhungirehe,” read a quick X response from the Congolese foreign ministry, which went on to explain that “during the ministerial retreat, a consultative and non-decisional framework of the EAC, our” Vice Minister Gracia Yamba delivered a very clear message.

Pas si vite, @onduhungirehe. Lors de la retraite ministérielle, un cadre consultatif et non décisionnel de la EAC, notre VM @HonGraciaYamba a délivré un message très clair: https://t.co/6T5Vd9N35O pic.twitter.com/PbB0ecNuPy— RDC · Affaires Etrangères (@RDC_Minafet) July 7, 2024

Kinshasa’s message had three elements. It reiterated the importance “of the Luanda process for addressing tensions with Rwanda”; an allegation that the grave human suffering and displacement [of civilians] “is due to the violent actions of the Rwandan army and M23 rebels, not local armed groups”; and that “the EAC ministerial retreat does not replace the AU, which mandated the Luanda process.”

ALSO READ: Demystifying the deceptive narrative about Rwanda’s role in conflicts in DR Congo and Mozambique

Early last year, African Union Commission Chairperson Amb. Moussa Faki Mahamat noted that the continent was banking on the regional peace efforts – the EAC-led Nairobi peace process and the Luanda process – to resolve the security crisis in eastern DR Congo.

ALSO READ: Belgian lawyer on why genocide ideology doesn’t dissolve three decades after dispersion of genocidaires

At the time, the mediation of AU under the leadership of Angola continued to provide support to “the concerned parties” while former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was in charge of conducting the Nairobi peace process, prepared dialogues between the Congolese government and the active rebel movements in the region. It was then hoped that the two African mechanisms would resolve the crisis and demonstrate that only peaceful solutions initiated by Africans can address the crises and conflicts on the continent.

ALSO READ: Luanda summit calls for FDLR disarmament, M23 withdrawal

The resurgence of the M23 rebellion has overshadowed the presence of more than 200 armed groups – including FDLR, a genocidal militia which is integrated in the Congolese army and poses an existential security threat to Rwanda and the region – in eastern DR Congo.

The FDLR is a Rwandan terrorist group founded by remnants of the former government forces and militia that committed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The three-day retreat was for partner states’ ministers to discuss, among others, the state of regional peace and security as well as the regional integration process. It comes a month after Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi boycotted an extraordinary EAC Heads of State Summit held virtually on June 7 that, among others, ushered in the regional bloc’s new Secretary General, Veronica Mueni Nduva.

“It is only through cooperation and commitment to dialogue that we can overcome peace and security challenges in the region. Let us work together to strengthen our security mechanisms, promote conflict resolution, and foster a culture of peace,” Nduva said at the opening of the meeting, on Saturday. “I urge us to set aside our differences, have honest dialogues, and work together to find lasting solutions to pertinent issues dragging our regional integration,” she told participants at the retreat.

ALSO READ: Secret financial audit exposes high-level corruption fuelling DR Congo conflict

A Congolese rebel group known as M23 which is battling a weak Congolese army, FARDC, has been making more headlines as it battles and gains more ground against its foes – the Congolese army and its allies including FDLR, European mercenaries, the Burundian army, and a host of other Congolese militia groups backed by Kinshasa.

The M23 rebels on Sunday accused the Congolese government coalition of violating a humanitarian truce negotiated to facilitate aid delivery to displaced people and allow for the safe return to their homes in North Kivu Province.

The ever worsening security situation in eastern DR Congo, particularly the increase in hostilities between a government-led coalition and the M23 rebels, has raised fears that the Great Lakes Region could be sunk into a wider conflict.

An EAC regional force (EACRF) was deployed to eastern DR Congo, in November 2022, to support an EAC-led peace process that would see the M23 withdraw.

The regional force comprising troops from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan, managed to peacefully secure swathes of territory previously captured by the M23 rebels after their gradual withdrawal. In early 2023, the regional mission’s effort led to a ceasefire from March to September 2023.

However, Tshisekedi wanted it to battle the M23 rebels, or if not, leave. As such, the first EACRF force commander was forced to resign citing a threat to his personal security and “a systematic plan to frustrate” the regional force.

ALSO READ: Ruto defends EAC mission in DR Congo, says insecurity is a regional concern

In December last year, the Congolese government eventually expelled EACRF and replaced it with a SADC mission which is operating under an offensive mandate.

In March, President Paul Kagame spoke out on the exit of the EAC Regional Force and the deployment of the SADC mission (SADMIR) in eastern DR Congo, saying he was surprised by the development and “how the countries involved can be involved on such a glaringly wrong side.”

ALSO READ: DR Congo leaders repeat threats to attack, ‘annex’ Rwanda

Tshisekedi has, on various occasions, threatened to attack Rwanda which he accuses of supporting M23 rebels. Kigali dismisses the allegations and denounces the collaboration between the Congolese army and the FDLR.

ALSO READ: Pentagon Leaks: DR Congo banks on FDLR to topple Rwandan govt

On Saturday, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, emphasised the importance of unity among partner states, noting that unity was the catalyst of economic and social development of the region.

Makamba said: “We have the responsibility to make sure that the Community works for the people and by the people as directed by the Summit. Makamba said the bloc’s integration agenda can only succeed if peace, stability, and security are established throughout the region. He reminded his colleagues that the EAC Summit directed them to facilitate the implementation of the four pillars of integration – the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation.

He urged the ministers to use the retreat to discuss, at length, the various issues affecting the integration process, as one family, and come up with the recommendations that will be in favour of East Africans.

Source: allafrica.com

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Wataalamu wapendekeza udhibiti bidhaa za mafuta Tanzania

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In: Swahili News

Dar es Salaam. Wataalamu wa afya nchini Tanzania wamependekeza udhibiti wa uingizwaji wa mafuta na bidhaa zake, kama mbinu ya kuepuka magojwa yasiyo ya kuambukiza kwa wananchi.

Mafuta waliyopendekeza yadhibitiwe ni yale yasiyoandaliwa vizuri na yenye hatari kubwa kwa matumizi ya binadamu.

Sambamba na hilo, wataalamu hao wamesema kama inawezekana itafutwe namna ya kuongezwa kodi kwa aina hiyo ya mafuta, wakati yale yaliyo salama yapunguziwe kodi.

Wataalamu hao wamesema hayo leo, Jumatatu Julai 8, 2024 walipokuwa wakichangia kwenye mjadala wa Mwananchi Space, uliojadili ‘Ulaji wa vyakula vya mafuta mengi na athari zake ulioandaliwa kwa kushirikiana na Shirika la Chakula na Kilimo Duniani (FAO) na Taasisi ya Chakula na Lishe Tanzania (TFNC).

Ofisa Lishe na Mtafiti Mwandamizi TFNC, Maria Ngillisho amesema vyakula vinavyopikwa kwa mafuta mengi vinavutia na vitamu, lakini vina madhara makubwa mwilini.

Amesema kupika kwa mafuta ni njia rahisi, lakini ina athari kiafya hasa vyakula hivyo vikitumiwa kwa wingi na mara kwa mara.

“Tuna vyakula tunavyopika kwenye mafuta mengi na hivi tunaweza kuviepuka kwa kupika kwa kutumia mbinu nyingine ikiwemo kuoka,” amesema.

Maria ameeleza vyakula vyenye mafuta mengi ni vile vyenye asili ya mafuta na vinavyopikwa kwa mafuta mengi.

Amevitaja vyakula hivyo ni karanga, mbegu za alizeti, korosho na vile vyenye asili ya mimea.

Naye Mkuu wa kitengo cha Utafiti na daktari bingwa kutoka Taasisi ya Moyo ya Jakaya Kikwete (JKCI), Dk Pedro Pallangyo amesema kiwango kikubwa cha mafuta kinasababisha mwili ushindwe kuyatumia katika shughuli za kawaida.

Hatua hiyo, amesema inasababisha yajihifadhiwe sehemu mbalimbali na hivyo kusababisha magonjwa.

“Dalili ya kuakisi kuwa mafuta ni namna anavyoongezeka uzito, kiribatumbo na mabadiliko hayo yanakuwa ndani ya mili yetu, hasa mafuta yanapoingia katika mfumo wa moyo na mishipa ya damu,” amesema.

Amesema binadamu walivyoumbwa mili yao ina mishipa ya damu yenye upenyo mdogo ambao damu inapita na ukubwa wake ni sahihi katika kukidhi mahitaji.

“Mafuta yakitanda katika mishipa mikubwa ya damu ukubwa wake unapungua, sasa inategemeana imetanda katika mishipa ipi ina maana hayo maeneo yatapokea kiwango kidogo cha damu kuliko inavyotakiwa,” amesema.

Amesema kutokana na wimbi la mafuta katika jamii hata vijana wanaanza kuonekana na magojwa hayo, huku akieleza wengi wanakuja na malalamiko ya magonjwa ya miguu na kuanza kubadilika rangi.

“Tafsiri ya haraka maeneo yaliyobadilika rangi hayapati kiwango cha damu ya kutosha na ukifanya uchunguzi wa miguu ya hao wahusika unaona mishipa midogo midogo inayolisha miguu inakuwa imeziba,” amesema.

Amesema kumekuwa na ongezeko la watu wengi kuziba mishipa mitatu ya moyo inayosababisha vifo vya ghafla kwa kuwa wanakosa hewa ya oskjeni kwenye moyo.

Kwa upande wake, Mkurugenzi wa Kitengo cha Magonjwa Yasiyo ya Kuambukiza wa Wizara ya Afya, Dk Omary Ubuguyu amesema kutokana na ukubwa wa tatizo hilo, kwa mwaka Serikali huitaji Sh1.1 trilioni kukabiliana na magonjwa hayo.

“Sisi tukiangalia mkakati wetu wa magonjwa yasiyo ya kuambukiza tunahitaji Sh1.1 trilioni kwa mwaka kutoa huduma stahiki kutoa huduma stahiki kwa magonjwa sawa na bajeti nzima ya Wizara ya Afya inayotolewa sasa,” amesema Dk Ubuguyu.

Dk Ubuguyu amesema nchi imefika katika kiwango cha ukubwa wa tatizo kwa sababu walichelewa kuanza kupambana na magonjwa hayo, kwani waliamini ni tatizo linalowapata zaidi watu wa ukanda wa Afrika Magharibi.

Naye Mtaalamu wa lishe wa TFNC, Elizabeth Lyimo amesema mafuta ni moja ya kundi la chakula lenye kazi maalumu mwilini kutokana na virutubisho vilivyopo.

“Kundi hili linapaswa liliwe kwa kuangaliwa kwa sababu linatoa kiwango kikubwa cha nishati lishe, laikini kuna aina mbili za mafuta ya kimiminika (yasiyo ganda) ni yale yanayotokana na mimea na yanayoganda yanatokana na wanayama,” amesema.

Awali, Mhariri wa Jarida la Afya Gazeti la Mwananchi, Herieth Makwetta akichokoza mada amesema ulaji wa vyakula vyenye mafuta mengi ni chanzo cha magonjwa yasiyo ya kuambukiza, ikiwemo shinikizo la damu na saratani.

“Utafiti wa mwisho uliofanywa na Wizara ya Afya mwaka 2018 unaonyesha asilimia 33 ya vifo vyote vilivyotokea nchini vilisababishwa na magonjwa yasiyoambukizwa,” amesema.

Katika maelezo yake Makwetta, amefafanua wataalamu wanaonya kuwa ifikapo mwaka 2027, huenda vifo vinavyotokana na hayo magonjwa vitafikilia asilimia 54.

“Wataalamu wanasema mafuta yanahitaji kiwango kidogo mwilini kwa kazi ya kumpatia nguvu kiasi cha dole gumba, lakini wengi wamekuwa wakikiuka na kujikuta wakiongeza uzito kupita kiasi,” amesema.Continue Reading

Tanzania: Mwinyi Urges Positive Parenting

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Zanzibar — ZANZIBAR President Hussein Mwinyi has called upon parents in the country to adopt positive parenting that will enable children become patriotic and responsible citizen.

Dr Mwinyi said parents, teachers, caregivers and educational institutions have the big role to play in grooming children to become reliable people and the best foundations for the future of the country.

“As parents, teachers and adults in the community, we must take an active role in promoting good behaviours to reduce moral decay,” he said, adding that teaching children about religion has many advantages.

The President took the stance yesterday at the celebrations held at Masjid (mosque) Jaameh-Zenjibar to welcome New Year of 1446 on Islamic calendar.

The President noted that religious upbringing to kids also contributes towards a number of positive outcomes as well, such as them volunteering in the community and peace building.

The Islamic New Year begins today (July 8, 2024) and it is a public holiday in Zanzibar. Dr Mwinyi also urged scholars and clerics to use different forums during the holiday to educate people about the Muslims calendar so that they become familiar with it.

In a related development, he thanked the office of the Mufti for promoting the Muslim calendar, which contains much useful information on human beings.

“The new-year celebration should be supported by encouraging the believers to know and understand ‘Hijra’ (Migration or the journey the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers that took from Mecca to Medina). Muslims have a duty to follow the teachings in maintaining peace,” he said.

Based on religious teachings, Dr Mwinyi also asked public servants, employees in the private sector, the selfemployed and businessmen to increase their efforts to work hard and pay tax.

For his part, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance), Mr Haroun Ali Suleiman said members of the community have to obey and respect all serving leaders in the country as insisted in the Holy Books.

“We are taught to respect our elders and leaders, so it is not good for a Muslim to despise leaders elected to lead and guide us,” he said.

Mr Suleiman asked the Mufti Office administrators to continue promoting unity by organising such events, which bring people together and to learn, reflect about peace, love and unity in the country, which are important for development.

Executive Secretary of the Mufti’s Office Sheikh Khalid Ali Mfaume said since the beginning of the celebration of the Islamic New Year, last year, many achievements have been recorded including the increased awareness about the Muslims calendar.

He mentioned other achievements as promoting love and unity among Tanzanians and increase cooperation and hardworking.

Sheikh Mbarak Uwesu from Kenya who was one of the key preachers, said development and better life in the country cannot be achieved without peace, adding that all people including Muslims must promote peace and stability.

Source: allafrica.com

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Sabasaba yamkumbusha Kikwete enzi za utawala wake

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Dar es Salaam. Rais mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete amesema Maonyesho ya 48 ya Biashara ya Kimataifa Dar es Salaam (DIFT) yamekuwa ya kipekee kwa kuboreshwa miundombinu, hususani ya barabara tofauti na miaka ya nyuma.

Kikwete ameeleza hayo leo Julai 6, 2024 alipotembelea maonyesho hayo maarufu Sabasaba.

Katika mazungumzo yake alikuwa akilinganisha hali anayoiona na miaka ya nyuma, hususani wakati wa utawala wake.

“Kipindi changu wakati nakuja barabara zilikuwa za vumbi na maombi yangu yalikuwa ni kuhakikisha barabara zinawekwa lami maana ilikuwa unakuja huna mafua lakini unaondoka na mafua,” amesema.

Pia amesema alikuwa anaangalia uboreshaji wa mabanda na bidhaa zinazoonyeshwa kuanzia kwa wageni hadi wazawa na hata waelekezaji wamekuwa wakieleza kitu kwa ufasaha tofauti na miaka ya nyuma.

Akizungumzia nishati safi, Kikwete amesema wakati anapokea uongozi matumizi ya umeme yalikuwa asilimia 10 na matumizi makubwa yalikuwa mjini na siyo kijiji.

Amesema waliamua kuanzisha mradi wa umeme vijijini ambao ulianzia kwa hayati Rais Benjamin Mkapa na yeye alilikamilisha na alipokwenda kwenye ziara mkoani Mara alizindua umeme vijijini na wakati huo ukiwa kwenye vijiji 206.

Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanahitaji umeme vijijini na wangeachiwa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (Tanesco) ambao wanafanya biashara wao wanaangalia sehemu ambayo walikuwa na uhakika wa biashara.

Kikwete ametoa wito kwa watoa huduma wa umeme na gesi kuangalia bei wanazotoza zisiwaumize watumiaji kwani inaweza kuwa sababu ya kurudi kwenye matumizi ya mkaa na kuni.

“Sijui kama takwimu zimebadilika Dar es Salaam walikuwa wanatumia magunia ya mkaa 40,000 kwa siku ni kwa kiasi gani miti imepotea hapo,” amehoji.

Kikwete ametumia zaidi ya saa tano kuzunguka viwanja vya maonyesho vya Mwalimu Julius Nyerere vilivyopo Barabara ya Kilwa.

Aliingia uwanjani saa 5.30 asubuhi na hadi saa 11.00 jioni alikuwa bado akizunguka kwenye mabanda kuangalia bidhaa, kununua na kuacha maoni katika baadhi ya sehemu alizotembelea.Continue Reading

Tanzania amends sugar laws to tame shortages, prices

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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By APOLINARI TAIRO

Targeting to stabilise sugar supply and control prices, Tanzania has imposed regulations on sugar production, importation and distribution within its borders.

Parliament has passed a bill containing amendments to the Sugar Industry Act that gave the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) exclusive mandate to import, store and distribute sugar for domestic consumption.

Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said that the newly amended Sugar Act would help to control arbitrary shortages, hoarding of the commodity and inflating of prices.

“This amendment will monitor price stabilisation. It is the government’s responsibility to intervene during market failures,” Mr Nchemba said.

The newly amended Sugar Act gives the Sugar Board of Tanzania (SBT) discretion in issuing import licences. SBT will not issue licences unless it is satisfied that the local production is below the required level.

Read: Sugar price cap brews a storm in Tanzania

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The new amendments require local sugar producers to declare their production costs then submit any relevant information that may be required by the SBT at the beginning of every production season.

Domestic manufacturers are also required to declare and publish in a widely circulated Tanzanian newspaper the names of their distributors in every region at the beginning of every production season.

The Act now directs issuance of provisional licences and registration of sugar manufacturers, small-scale sugar plant operators and industrial consumers through the SBT.

Tanzania Sugar Producers Association (TSPA) said in a statement on Monday that it is expected to raise production to 663,000 tonnes by 2026 to cater to the local demand.

TSPA Chairman Ami Mpungwe said that sugar production had decreased from 144,000 tonnes in 2017 to 30,000 in 2023, causing acute shortages of the commodity.

Mr Mpungwe said that seven sugar factories were issued with permits to import sugar in 2023 to fill the supply gap and push reduction of retail prices.

Read: Samia’s new food export rules to protect local market

The government has been spending about $150 million to import sugar from other countries to fill the deficit.

Shortages have pushed retail prices from Tsh2,800 ($1.05) to Tsh4,000 ($1.5) per kilo at in shops across the country.

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) director for Advocacy and Reforms Fulgence Massawe asked the government to attract more competitive sugar producers to increase production of sugar.

He said that the government should come up with better policies for land acquisition and ownership, friendly immigration laws for investors with friendly and prompt registration and provision of business permits within a day for foreign investors.

“Allowing the importation of sugar has significant impact on the balance of trade and use of forex. The government should promote domestic production and investment in sugar production,”, Mr Massawe said.

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Mozambique and Tanzania to Introduce Coastal Shipping Services

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Maputo — Mozambique and Tanzania intend to introduce coastal shipping services in order to boost trade between the two countries, undertaken by small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who was speaking to reporters, on Wednesday, in Dar es Salaam, on the last day of his working visit to Tanzania, in order to put this intention into practice, the Mozambican government is due to organize a Business Forum between the two countries in the near future to explore the commercial gains that maritime trade will bring to the citizens of both countries.

“One of the things that can be thought of and that can immediately begin is coastal traffic between the ports, from Dar es Salaam, from Mtwara [in Tanzania] to the port of Nacala [in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula] even passing through the port of Pemba [in Cabo Delgado province] because this movement will bring some activity to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs’, he said.

He explained that there are Mozambican products that are in demand by Tanzanians, such as cashew nuts, cement, zinc sheeting, just as Tanzania also has goods that are in demand in Mozambique.

“There’s a lot that Tanzanians need in Mozambique, they have factories that sometimes don’t have products, so we’ll have to organize a more structured business forum between Mozambique and Tanzania’, he said.

On the other hand, delegations from Mozambique and Tanzania expressed their concern at the significant drop in trade between the two neighboring countries, which fell from 55.8 million dollars in 2022 to 20.1 million dollars in 2023.

“During our discussions, we analyzed ways and means of reversing this dismal trade situation’, Nyusi said.

However, the President believes that there will be greater maritime circulation between the two countries in the near future. “The stability of the metical [the Mozambican currency] helps a lot for those who want to do business in Mozambique. It doesn’t fluctuate much’, he said.

Nyusi, on Wednesday, also took part as a guest in the official opening ceremony of the 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.

At a meeting on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, with Mozambicans resident in Tanzania, his audience asked Nyusi who is sponsoring and financing the terrorist raids that have ravaged parts of Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

But Nyusi could not give them any names. “We don’t know very well who is financing them’, he admitted, “but we are following the matter. The Defence and Security Forces are investigating. Now we have measures against the financing of terrorism’.

“Some names are appearing’, he added. “They are being questioned, but we can’t confirm that they are the ones’.

Nyusi stressed that caution is needed in investigating those suspected of collaborating with terrorism. He said that some evidence suggests that the sponsors of terrorism are rich individuals living in the major cities.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Samia Praises PBZ’s Expansion, Nyusi Requests Branch

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

DAR ES SALAAM — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has commended the efforts made by the People’s Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ) through its expansion plan in various regions of the country, particularly Mainland Tanzania.

According to President Samia, the bank’s strategy to continue expanding in different areas of the country, especially in mainland Tanzania, allows it to fulfill its primary duty of serving the citizens of both sides of the Union.

President Samia took the stance at the 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair -SabaSaba, while visiting the bank’s booth accompanied by her guest, President President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique.

She added: “Alongside your excellent services, I am particularly impressed by your plan to continue expanding in different regions of the country, especially in the mainland Tanzania, as this step will further strengthen you as an institution ready to serve the citizens of both sides of the Union.”

Gracing the occasion and being enticed by the bank’s performance, President Nyusi requested the financial institution’s leadership to consider opening a branch in his country.

He added: “I hope that your strategy of expanding in different areas of Tanzania goes beyond the borders of the country. Therefore, I kindly request you to explore the ways in which you can also come to Mozambique and open your first branch for the benefit of the citizens, including the business community of both sides.”

In response the bank’s Managing Director Mr. Arafat Haji responded positively, stating that they will incorporate the idea in their expansion strategy, aligning with their commitment to serve customers beyond Tanzania’s borders.

While at the booth, the two Heads of State had the opportunity to learn various services provided by the bank and listen to its expansion plan, where Mr Haji noted that currently they operate 33 branches and steadily increasing footprint, including recently opening new branches in Morogoro and Mbeya, and plans to expand further into Mwanza, Arusha, and Tanga.

He added: “As the bank’s growth strategy extends beyond just physical locations, we also prioritise investment in digital services to reach citizens in areas, where our branches are yet to reach.

“Equally, we plan to launch our mobile application, which will be officially introduced soon with the aim of further extending and facilitating our services to our customers nationwide.”

Elaborating on the bank’s willingness to work closely with the public sector, Mr Haji said: “In order to enhance our relationship with the government, we are prepared to improve various government services, including our government payment system, to facilitate and accelerate various government payments, including taxes and other collections from citizens through our excellent banking services.”

Source: allafrica.com

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