Agosti 1906, mwandishi wa Marekani, Ida Tarbell, alikamilisha mfululizo wa makala ambayo aliyapa kichwa “John D Rockefeller: A Character Study”, kwa Kiswahili unaweza kuiweka hivi, “John D Rockefeller: Somo la Uhusika.” Nakala ya kwanza ilitoka mwaka 1905 kwenye Jarida la McClure.Continue Reading
A three-day retreat of East African Community (EAC) ministers of foreign affairs and in charge of the EAC, which discussed the security crisis in eastern DR Congo, among other topics, concluded on Monday, July 8.
Held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, the meeting brought together Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of State in charge of Regional Cooperation James Kabarebe, DR Congo’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Gracia Yamba Kazadi, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister January Makamba and Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert Shingiro.
Also in attendance was South Sudan’s Minister for EAC Affairs and Chairperson of EAC Council of Ministers Deng Alor Kuol, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of EAC Ali Mohamed Omar, Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs Rebecca Kadaga as well as EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva.
ALSO READ: Rwandan ministers to meet DR Congo, Burundi counterparts over security
Below are the key takeaways from the meeting, in which the ministers deliberated on the current status of peace, security, inter-state relations; and the state of the East African Community integration process, according to the final statement released on Monday.
DR Congo crisis
The ministers noted with concern the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They appreciated the humanitarian truce between M23 rebels and the Congolese army, that was negotiated by the Government of the United States of America, and recommended that the truce be extended indefinitely.
ALSO READ: M23 accuses DR Congo army of violating humanitarian truce
The ministers acknowledged that the viable path to sustainable peace and security in eastern DR Congo is through a political process and recommended the convening of a summit of the EAC Heads of State to revitalize the political track of the EAC-led Nairobi process in reciprocal coordination with the Luanda process.
EAC peace support operations
The ministers noted the need for institutionalization of peace support operations in the East African Community and agreed on the need for expeditious conclusion of the EAC mutual defence pact and operationalization of the council of ministers on peace and security to ensure timely guidance on peace and security matters.
DR Congo-Rwanda-Burundi ministerial meetings
The ministers took note of the state of interstate relations and the adverse impact on the integration agenda and encouraged the partner states to use existing frameworks provided for in the treaty for the establishment of the EAC to address interstate disputes.
ALSO READ: EAC meet in Zanzibar reiterates importance of political process to end DR Congo crisis
To this end, the ministers of Rwanda and DR Congo agreed to meet at the earliest in the framework of the Luanda process.
The ministers of Rwanda and Burundi will meet by October 31, 2024 to discuss outstanding issues affecting their bilateral relations.
Implementation of EAC pillars
The ministers reviewed the status of the implementation of the four integration pillars and emphasised the need for demonstration of political commitment and goodwill to ensure realization of goals for each pillar.
Member-states contribution, arrears
The ministers deliberated on the constraints of funding the community and the arrears, and recommended they be paid at the earliest by the partner states.
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ALSO READ: Somalia pays its $7.8m full budget contribution to EAC budget
They deliberated on a sustainable funding mechanism for the community and recommended it be considered at a joint meeting of ministers of finance, EAC and foreign affairs to explore additional options of funding the community.
The ministers noted the financing model adopted by the 23rd ordinary summit of November 2023.
Amendment of EAC treaty
The ministers also took note of the urgency to complete the process of amending the treaty for the establishment of the EAC and report to the summit accordingly. The ministers also agreed to expedite amendments to decision making, and rules of procedure.
Source: allafrica.com
DAR ES SALAAM — THE University of Dodoma (UDOM) is making strides in space exploration with the successful development of a student-built rocket.
Dr Ramadhan Bakari, a lecturer from the College of Earth Sciences and Engineering at UDOM, unveiled the achievement at the ongoing 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF).
The rocket has a current flight capability of 1,000 metres.
Inspired by advancements in space exploration, two students from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Engineering and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics embarked on a research project on rockets.
Dr Bakari explained that witnessing global efforts in space exploration using rocket technology motivated the students.
The project utilised readily available and affordable materials to construct the rocket, emphasising the application of scientific principles throughout the process.
The students conducted numerous experiments to perfect the design. “The students first focused on creating a power source for the rocket and conducted various trials,” said Dr Bakari.
“The ultimate goal is to use this technology to launch satellites into orbit.” UDOM’s vision extends beyond the current achievement.
The university aspires for Tanzania to become self-sufficient in space exploration. This ambition includes developing the capability to launch satellites using domestically produced rockets.
“By achieving this, Tanzania will gain the ability to monitor its territory and enhance national security, while also improving weather forecasting capabilities,” Dr Bakari emphasised.
The university actively fosters student creativity in science and technology, recognising its importance in the modern world. “As a university, we witness the rapid advancements in technology globally,” Dr Bakari concluded.
“When we identify students with innovative ideas, we support them to develop their talents. Ultimately, we aim for Tanzania to benefit from technologies developed by its own people.”
Source: allafrica.com
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.
“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.
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
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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
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
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.
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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
Askofu Mkuu wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kiluteri Tanzania (KKKT), Dk Alex Malasusa amesema Wakristo wengi hivi sasa wamesahau thamani yao na kuanza kujifananisha na kila mtu.Continue Reading
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
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
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.
Mwabukusi aliyejipatia sifa kwa kupinga mkataba wa uwekezaji na uendelezaji wa bandari kati ya Serikali ya Dubai na ya Tanzania, alifikishwa kwenye Kamati ya Maadili ya Mawakili na Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali akimlalamikia kwa kukiuka maadili ya uwakili.Continue Reading
