Bringing Justice to Refugees’ Doorstep in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu Camp

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

Access to justice is one of the human rights that allows individuals irrespective of their gender and social status to be treated fairly. For refugees in the camps in Tanzania, access to timely justice, especially for cases of gender-based violence (GBV) is critical when they have limited freedom of movement due to the country’s encampment policy.

In 2022, UNHCR and the Refugee Services Department in the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with Women’s Legal Aid Centre (WLAC) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) established a mobile court as to address legal issues that affect refugees and their Tanzanian hosts living in and around Nyarugusu camp, north of the country.

“Bringing the court system closer to the people in the camp has made justice more accessible and timelier. Refugees can now address their grievances without the burden of travel or delays, ensuring their rights are protected in even the most difficult circumstances,” says Immaculate Shali, Senior Resident Magistrate, Kasulu District Court in Kigoma.

In the mobile court, the procedure of filing a case is simple. The case is reported to the police, then transferred to the National Prosecution Services (NPS) who file a case in an online court system on behalf of the United Republic of Tanzania, and then a Magistrate hears the case through the virtual court system in the camp.

“The mobile court initiative is a transformative step in ensuring access to justice for refugees. It not only resolves disputes but restores dignity and hope in challenging circumstances. Through our partnership with UNHCR, we’re ensuring that no one is left without a voice, especially the most vulnerable,” says Mburalina D. Maira, DRC Legal Team Leader.

Currently, two magistrates who were trained on gender-based violence (GBV) issues, including on how to respond to GBV cases, virtually attend the mobile court. On average, the mobile court handles two to three GBV cases per month, while monthly reports are much higher . It takes six months to finalize a GBV case in the mobile court. However, for the tendering of physical exhibits as well as for thepronouncement of judgement, they are conducted physically at the main court premises as per the court procedures. Survivors are supported by the Legal partner to attend these physical court.

“The mobile court brings a quicker access to justice for GBV survivors especially women and girls mostly affected by GBV incidents in Nyarugusu Camp. It speeds up GBV cases through the virtual court system and addresses challenges faced by women and girls about fear of retaliation, reduced rate of survivor’s withdrawal of cases in courts and distance factor,” explains Rehema Peter Katyega, UNHCR Assistant GBV Officer.

The refugees find the court useful as it reduces barriers such as distance and cost, provides timely justice, and protects their rights, as women and minors feel safer reporting crimes such as GBV. Also, it improves community confidence as the court is within the vicinity of the camp and it builds trust in the legal system and empowers refugees to seek redress for grievances.

UNHCR and partners engage paralegals who play a vital role in supporting the legal needs of refugees. Paralegals are often trained to provide basic legal advice in minor cases, educate the community about their rights, and help navigate the justice system, including in the mobile court. At Nyarugusu Camp, there are a total of 53 paralegals supporting around 134,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

Thanks to the generous support of our steadfast donors like the Government of the United States of America, forcibly displaced women and vulnerable groups are encouraged by having access to the mobile court to prosecute their cases without fear, as it is a closer facility where refugees only appear in court at a scheduled time thus allowing them to use their remaining time for other activities including attending to their families. The mobile court brings justice to the

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania to Benefit From Kenya’s Renewable Energy Via New Transmission Line

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Tanzania to Benefit From Kenya’s Renewable Energy Via New Transmission Line

Nairobi — Kenya has completed a 400-kilovolt transmission line with Tanzania, paving the way for renewable energy exports and regional energy integration.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi announced the milestone, highlighting that the line will also allow Tanzania to access clean energy from Ethiopia via Kenya’s infrastructure.

“Kenya has finalized the construction of the transmission line, enabling Tanzania to harness renewable energy from Kenya and Ethiopia,” said Wandayi during the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Regional Trade Conference 2024.

Kenya’s renewable energy capacity, one of the highest in the region, includes geothermal (841.1 MW), hydroelectric (810.4 MW), wind (425.5 MW), and solar (210.3 MW).

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reports that renewable energy accounts for 79.56% of Kenya’s total installed capacity of 2,776.3 MW as of December 2023.

The EAPP conference, attended by over 300 delegates, focused on strategies for energy integration, bringing together energy ministers, regulators, and development partners from across Africa.

Source: allafrica.com

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Simulizi ya padri aliyepanda miti zaidi ya milioni 1.7 katika miaka 65

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In: Swahili News

Mwanza. “Tangu nimeanza kupanda miti mwaka 1959 nikiwa darasa la kwanza mpaka sasa nimepanda zaidi ya miti 1,700,000 kiasi kwamba sasa kila ninapokwenda huwa nakutana na watu wananiambia huu ni mti wangu nilipanda.”

Hayo ni maneno ya Padri wa Kanisa la Katoliki Jimbo la Geita, Thomas Bilingi wakati akisimulia namna alivyopanda miti zaidi ya 1,700,000 katika kipindi cha miaka 65.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi leo Disemba 7, 2024 baada ya kufanya matembezi ya kuhamasisha watu kutumia nishati safi jijini Mwanza, Padri Bilingi mwenye miaka 76 sasa, amesema alivutiwa kuanza kupanda miti baada ya kubaini miti ya matunda huleta ujirani mwema.

“Tangu kuzaliwa kwangu nyumbani nilikuta kuna mti wa matunda ambao kwa kilugha chetu unaitwa Sungwi, sasa watoto wa majirani walikuwa wakija nyumbani kula matunda hayo, nikaona kumbe miti ya matunda inaleta ujirani mwema na huduma mbalimbali,” amesema.

“Nilianza kupanda miti nikiwa na umri wa miaka 11 wakati naingia darasa la kwanza, mwaka 1959, katika shule ya msingi Kasisa iliyopo Buchosa, Mwanza, nikaja kuendelea nikiwa darasa la tano ambapo hapo nilianza kupanda miti kwa wingi,” ameongeza.

Padri Bilingi amesema miti hiyo ameipanda katika maeneo mbalimbali ambayo amekuwa akipita, mfano kwenye taasisi za elimu, dini, Serikali na maeneo binafsi.

“Baadhi ya shule nilizowahi kupanda miti ni shule ya msingi Kasisa, St Ambrose Mitere baada ya hapo nikaenda Nsumba sekondari, kila sehemu nilipokuwa naenda nilikuwa napanda miti na mara nyingi nilikuwa peke yangu, japo baadaye niliamua kushirikisha wenzangu tukawa kama kikundi nikishirikiana na Wakala wa Huduma za Misitu (TFS),” amesema.

Ameongeza: “Changamoto kubwa ambayo nilikuwa nikikumbana nayo ni kuchekwa, uharibifu wakati mwingine mifugo inapelekwa kwenye maeneo ambayo nimepanda miti. Changamoto nyingine ni wizi, japo hii wakati mwingine nilikuwa na furahia kwamba kama wanaiba mti ina maana anaenda kupanda nyumbani kwake, kitu ambacho ni kizuri,” amesema.

Hata hivyo, amesema mbali na kupanda miti, pia, huwa anahamasisha watu kupanda kupitia mahubiri, mafundisho na kuongea na mtu binafsi akiwaeleza umuhimu wake.

“Nikiwa nafundisha mfano leo Jumamosi, nina vipindi vya ndoa kanisani huwa nawapatia mti na kuwaambia wakapande, endapo ikitokea mti huo ukakauka basi na ndoa yao itakuwa imeishia hapo, huwa wanakuja wananiambia ndoa haijavunjika na mti wenyewe haujakauka,” amesema Padri Bilingi.

Kiongozi huyo wa kiroho amesema moja ya siri ya kuendelea kuwa hai mpaka sasa,ni kutokana na yeye kupanda miti ambayo inamsaidia kiafya na wakati mwingine kujitibu.

“Kupanda miti ipo kwenye damu ndio maana kuna muda huwa nakula majani ya miti hiyo kwa sababu inanisaidia kusafisha na kutibu kifua, mfano badala ya kutumia majani ya dukani mimi nachuma majani ya mti wa mchachai, nakunywa,” amesema.

Akizungumzia maisha ya padri huyo, mmoja wa wadau wa mazingira jijini Mwanza, William Missanga, mbali na kumpongeza amesema kwake kama kijana inamtia nguvu ya kuendelea kupambana kuhakikisha jamii inaondokana na matumizi ya nishati chafu, huku suala la upandaji miti akilipa kipaumbele.

“Ni jambo la kusisimua kwa mimi kama kijana, linanifunza mambo mengi na kunifanya nione bado dunia inanitaka. Bado nina safari ndefu ya kufikia rekodi ya mtu kama huyo kwa sababu sio jambo la kawaida linahitaji kujituma na kuwa moyo,” amesema Missanga.

Balozi wa Mazingira kutoka Ofisi ya Makamu wa Rais ambaye pia ni Mkurugenzi wa Taasisi ya MR Tree Foundation, Mrisho Mabanzo (Mr Tree) amesema siku 10 zilizopita amempoteza mama yake, chanzo kikiwa ni moshi uliokuwa unatokana na matumizi ya kuni na mkaa.

“Mama yangu alikuwa mfanyabiashara mkubwa sana wa mkaa mpaka ikawa inafikia wakati analipia miti ili kukata na kupata kuni, lakini madhara yake miaka 30 mbele tumejikuta tunatumia gharama kubwa kumtibu mpaka kumpoteza kwa sababu ya athari zilizobainika kuwa zimetokana na matumizi ya nishati isiyo salama kwa maana ya moshi wa kuni na mkaa,” amesema Mr Tree.

Akizungumzia takwimu, Mr Tree Amesema: “Asilimia 16 ya ardhi ya Tanzania imeelekea kuwa jangwa, zaidi ya ekari 469,000 zinaharibiwa kila mwaka kutokana na matumizi ya kibinadamu hasa matumizi ya kuni na mkaa, hivyo ni viashiria vinatuonyesha hali ya hatari ndiyo maana hali ya hewa haitabiriki.”

Askari mhifadhi misitu kutoka Wakala wa Huduma za Misitu (TFS) Kanda ya Ziwa, Maija Mkomwa amewataka wananchi kufika kwenye ofisi zao kwa ajili ya kujipatia miti bure ya matunda ya kupanda, huku akihimiza jamii kuachana na nishati chafu.

“TFS tunatoa wito kwa wananchi kwanza kutumia nishati safi kwa maana ya umeme na gesi lakini pia waondokane na nishati zinazoleta uharibifu wa mazingira, mfano kuni na mkaa,. Pia wananchi wapande miti kwa wingi kwa ajili ya kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya tabianchi,” amesema Mkomwa.

Naye Mkurugenzi wa Watengenezaji wa KuniSmart na JikoSmart kutoka kampuni ya Chabri Energy, Bernard Makachia ametoa wito kwa kampuni za gesi kupunguza gharama za mitungi ya gesi ili kuwawezesha Watanzania wengi kumudu kununua.Continue Reading