Unguja. The deputy secretary general of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in Zanzibar, Dr Mohamed Said Dimwa, has announced that the Secretariat Members of the Special Committee of the CCM National Executive Committee (NEC) have endorsed a proposal to extend Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi’s term to seven years from the current five-year term.
Dimwa made the remarks while closing the UVCCM district executive council meeting held at the district office in Kiembesamaki Dimani, Zanzibar.
Dimwa explained that the decision to extend Dr Mwinyi’s tenure stems from satisfaction with his effective implementation of the CCM Manifesto for 2020–2025, achieving over 100 percent of set targets within three years and several months since taking office.
“In our deliberations, the Secretariat members thoroughly evaluated President Mwinyi’s performance and were convinced that there is no alternative to his leadership. Therefore, he deserves to lead the country for seven years to facilitate comprehensive economic and social transformations,” stated Dimwa.
The deputy secretary general elaborated that CCM Zanzibar views participating in the 2025 General Election as costly and a misuse of taxpayer funds, asserting that sustained development is what citizens truly need.
He emphasised the importance of extending President Mwinyi’s term to position Zanzibar as an economically developed island nation in the East African region.
“Our decision will follow constitutional and legislative procedures. We will present it in higher-level meetings to obtain endorsements, including submitting the proposal to the Zanzibar House of Representatives for amendments to certain provisions of the 1984 Zanzibar Constitution, aimed at ensuring we hold national elections every seven years,” Dr Dimwa clarified.
He highlighted that CCM members and Zanzibar citizens at large hold deep affection and appreciation for President Mwinyi’s leadership, citing his outstanding record in resolving citizen issues by bolstering various public and private sectors.
Moreover, Dimwa highlighted that every patriotic and rational citizen acknowledges the developments implemented in Zanzibar across various sectors.
These include healthcare, education, air and maritime transport, investment, modern roads, economic empowerment, tourism, sports, and robust business infrastructure.
During the session, Dimwa addressed claims by ACT-Wazalendo about the nation’s significant debt burden, asserting that obtaining loans for national development is not illegal or contrary to national laws.
He emphasized that no country globally operates economically solely on internal revenue without borrowing from international financial institutions or economically developed countries.
He emphasised that CCM conducts evidence-based politics by actively implementing its policies and strategies visibly, rather than making empty promises.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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