Serengeti Advisers

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:40:39 +0000

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

The campaign in Arumeru East’s by-election descends into silliness

The early promise of a policy-driven campaign for the Arumeru East parliamentary by-election, has evaporated after CCM and Chadema’s senior officials traded barbs, accusing each other of lies and corruption.

Mwakyembe’s mysterious illness revealed

Medical experts reveal that the Deputy Minister of Works Dr. Harisson Mwakyembe’s allegations of being poisoned may have been unfounded after it was discovered that he was suffering from Scleroderma.

President Jakaya Kikwete talks cooperatives, unions and the need for better leaders for both

Speaking at the opening ceremony to mark the International Year of Cooperatives, the President implored attendees to work together as collectives so as to strengthen the individual successes of its members.

A parliamentary committee investigates corruption

The parliamentary Local Authority Accounts Committee (LAAC) is in Arusha to adit the accounts of the region’s District Commissions.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Arumeru: Tupime wagombea siyo wapiga debe’ [Arumeru: Let's examine the candidates and not their sorrogates] | MwanaHalisi
‘Does the Great Lakes need US help to capture Kony?’ | The Citizen
‘The monotony of student politics’ | The African
‘Tusitafute “dikteta mzuri” tutafute Mwafaka wa kitaifa’ [We shouldn't yearn for a 'benevolent dictator' but a national reconciliation] | Raia Mwema
‘What makes a responsible journalist?’ | Daily News
‘Wanasiasa jitahidini kuepusha shari Arumeru’ [Politicians should work to avoid chaos in Arumeru] | Habari Leo

Other stories of note:

‘Mbunge adaiwa kutishia bastola’ [An MP alleged to have brandished a gun at a party meeting] | Habari Leo
‘Uhaba wa maji watesa wakazi mji wa Arusha’ [Water scarcity a problem for Arusha residents] | Raia Mwema
‘Why lawmakers’ bid to split constituencies is a tall order’ | The Citizen
‘Repoti Maalumu: Usafiri majini kuzidi kuua’ [Special Report: Maritime accidents will continue to kill] | MwanaHalisi
‘Shahidi: Niliona masanduku matupu ya kura za urais’ [Witness: I saw empty boxes of presidential votes] | Mwananchi
‘Transformations to rescue TAZARA needed’ | The African
‘Unbridled illegal logging threatening forests, warns WB’ | The Guardian
‘New standards to boost power usage efficiency’ | Daily News
‘[Central Zone] Region records increase in gender-related violence’ | The Citizen
‘Njaa yasababisha wananchi kugombania matunda porini’ [Hunger drives people to fight for fruits in the jungle] | Majira

Business Headlines:

‘Tanzania coffee prices fall as season reaches end’ | The Guardian
‘TMAA clears doubt on copper concentrate exports’ | The African
‘National intellectual property policy underway’ | Daily News
‘State plans to have 45pc stake in soda ash project’ | The Citizen
‘Malaysian businessmen exploring opportunities for big business in Tanzania, other African countries’ | The Guardian
‘Benki ya Ushirika kuwa chachu ya kukuza uchumi’ [Cooperative Bank will spark economic growth] | Habari Leo

Regional Headlines:

‘Joseph Kony: Ni muasi ama pandikizi la Museveni’ [Joseph Kony: An enemy or a proxy for Museveni] | Nipashe
‘Have politicians joined warlords in the plunder for Somalia?’ | The Citizen
‘Africa’s urban population to triple in 40 years’ | The Guardian
‘Zimbabwe convicts six of plot to unseat Mugabe’ | Daily News
‘Umoja Bridge links nowhere to nowhere’ | The African
‘Raila Odinga: Kenya bado inaugua’ [Raila Odinga: Kenya still ill] | Mwananchi

Page One: A summary

The campaign in Arumeru East’s by-election descends into silliness

Early signs that the Arumeru East by-election campaign will be fought on local policies have quickly vanished, giving way to deeply incendiary rhetoric by both parties that has sparked fears by observers that things could deteriorate to violence. According to The Citizen, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has sent letters to both Chadema and CCM, warning them to tone down their rhetoric or risk being fined. Tracias Kagenzi, an NEC Returning Officer, told reporters that, ‘among other things, there was use of abusive and bad language during campaign rallies…There were also other irregularities committed by the party leaders and followers.’

The campaign language has in recent days take a turn for the worse. Majira reports that Dr. Willbroad Slaa, the Secretary General of Chadema, told voters at a rally that, ‘everytime you hear about [corrupt politicians] going to churches to donate funds to the tune of millions, that money is tainted…if that isn’t using the Lord’s name in vain, I don’t know what is.’ Meanwhile CCM’s Minister at the President’s Office Stephen Wassira drew the ire of the Catholic Church after he was quoted by various media outlets accusing Dr. Slaa of having swindled money that was meant to be used during the late Pope John Paul II’s visit to Tanzania in 1991. Speaking to Mwananchi, the President of Tanzania Ecumenical Council (TEC) Bishop Yuda Thadeus Ruwaichi challenged Mr. Wassira to provide evidence to support his allegations. ‘The Church has never accused Dr. Slaa of those things. If Wassira has said that publicly, the ethical thing for him to do is to provide us with evidence to support his claims,’ the Bishop said.

Meanwhile, according to Tanzania Daima Dr. Slaa gave a raucous stump speech, saying that if the police don’t respond to his party’s complaints of electoral irregularities then the ‘sun will shine and set in Meru.’ He went on, ‘Our votes were stolen [in previous elections] but we stayed quiet. People were telling me to speak the truth, but I said, “No, we will not spill the blood of Tanzanians.” But my patience is running out and it has led to the blood of Tanzanians to be spilled. So now I am saying, I am giving CCM’s leaders involved in the harassment of our colleague 24 hours to be dealt with, otherwise we’ll confront the police.’

Despite all this, Mr. Kagenzi, the Returning Officer, urged party leaders to argue policy and not incite violence. ‘My committee has warned CCM and Chadema for acting against the elections campaign’s governing dockets…All parties should concentrate on selling their manifesto to voters and not attacking individuals at campaign rallies,’ he said.

And if you were curious what the actual candidates were saying about the issues affecting the constituents they are running to represent? Well, there was not a lot of coverage on that. Move on along, please.

Mwakyembe’s mysterious illness revealed

The Citizen reports that the disease that has afflicted Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe, the Deputy Minister for Works, who earlier in the week had revealed it to be Sclerodorma, is a relatively well-known chronic condition that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin. According to medical experts who spoke to the paper, the disease is ‘fairly common in the country but [that] its effects spread slowly.’ Dr. Isaac Maro of the Infectious Disease Centre in Dar es Salaam, told the paper in an interview that, ‘if you open a skin clinic in this city for example, at least three people will seek treatment for Scleroderma within two to three weeks.’ Dr. Maro went on to explain that Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, meaning that a person’s immune system attacks the body instead of protecting it.

But according to Raia Mwema, Dr. Mwakyembe’s Indian doctors have been able to stop ‘the chemicals’ found in his bones from attacking his skin. According to the paper, doctors have been able to get a handle on what the paper still refers to as ‘the poison’ that was found in his bone marrow. The paper seems to insist on advancing the allegation of Dr. Mwakyembe being poisoned despite reputable evidence to the contrary.

Elsewhere, MwanaHalisi is reporting that Dr. Mwakyembe is refusing to resign and promises to ‘fight within the government’ without actually elaborating who he’ll be fighting. He told reporters that he had no plans to leave government as what ailed him has been treated. ‘Right now I feel much better,’ he said to reporters assembled at his office this past Monday. ‘Those who wished that I would die or leave [government] have not been successful. I am here, alive and well. I will live on and fight while in government,’ he said.

President Jakaya Kikwete talks cooperatives, unions and the need for better leaders for both

President Jakaya Kikwete has told cooperatives unions in Tanzania that they have a supporter at State House in their efforts to establish their own bank, informing them that such a move would go a long way towards solving their difficulties of getting credit on favorable terms. Speaking at the opening ceremony to mark International Year of Cooperatives in Dar es Salaam, the President said, ‘through the bank, I believe that cooperatives groups will improve their economic status and their total lives,’ reported The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the Daily News reported that the President lamented the decreasing power and influence of cooperatives in influencing policy amenable to their members. He told the gathering stakeholders that modern day cooperatives need to reclaim their influential days of the past. ‘It is important that we seriously ask ourselves what happened to these treasures that we created and what should be done to reinstate their lost glory,’ the President said.

A parliamentary committee investigates corruption

The District of Monduli has conceded that the system is rotten when it comes to the direction and execution of development projects that has led to the mis-spending of public funds to the detriment of the people, according to Majira

The DC, Mr. Owika Kasunga, told a visiting parliamentary delegation of the Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC) that, ‘what has been discovered on your first day of your tour reveals the long-term rotten nature of our state. You’ve come to bust our rotten tumors, please continue because only then will we get better.’

Meanwhile Mr. Swalehe Kiupi, the Auditor from the Controller Auditor General (CAG) covering the northern region said that the district’s books does not show their 443.3 million-debt, suggesting their inability to pay them. ‘A live example is in the 24 books showing revenue collections where four books have come back with no revenue while those responsible are known. It shows bad leadership on those responsible for the [district's] source of income,’ he said.

Earlier, CCM’s Mbozi East MP Godfrey Zambi said that infrastructure project funds were showing expenditures of 359 million from the received 372 million without an indication of where the balance had gone, the paper reports.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:14:01 +0000

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

President Kikwete addresses the doctors’ strike

President Jakaya Kikwete finally wades into the doctors’ strike in a highly anticipated address to Dar es Salaam’s city elders.

Former President Benjamin Mkapa campaigns for Sioi Sumari in Arumeru East

CCM brings in a heavy hitter in the form of Mr. Mkapa to open their campaign in Arumeru East’s by-election.

Professor Ibrahim Lipumba on his party’s struggles

In the five months since he’s been away, CUF has expelled one of its most senior leaders, descended into civil war and had members depart to form a new party. Prof. Lipumba talks to reporters on his party’s future amidst these trying times.

Quest for Tanzanite reportedly leaves miners mourning.

The African profiles the daily life of small-scale miners in Mererani, near Arusha.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Right policy needed to reap benefits’ | The Citizen
‘CSR critical to good community relationship’ | The African
‘Kwa nini hatuambiwi ukwelu kuhusu UDA? [Why aren't we told the truth about UDA?]‘ | Mtanzania
‘Kampeni Arumeru zizingatie usalama na amani ya wananchi’ [Arumeru campaigns should take note people's peace and security]| Habari Leo
‘Upotoshwaji huu wa habari kwa wananchi mpaka lini?’ [Until when is News going to continue to mislead the people?] |Uhuru
‘Mfumuko wa bei, msiba kwa Watanzania’ [High inflation is a tragedy to Tanzanians] | Majira

Other stories of note:

‘Land conflicts rising – experts’ | The Guardian
‘Albino killings shocks APRM team’ | The Citizen
‘Plans afoot to revamp Tanga, central lines’ | Daily News
‘Silence culture proliferates violence against women in Z’bar’ | The African
‘Mali za Waziri Malima zakutwa kwa “ma’mdogo”‘ [Minister Malima's property found at his "mistresses'] | Mwananchi
‘Wazanzibari wapigwa ‘stop’ kwenda Oman kufanya kazi’ [Wazanzibari stopped from going to work in Oman] | Nipashe
‘CCM Asilia walivaa kundi la mtandao’ ["Real" CCM challenges the network group] | Majira
‘Ukuaji wa uchumi Tanga wakwamishwa naviongozi wao – Zitto’ [Economic growth in Tanga delayed by their leaders] | Mtanzania
‘Lipumba deplores “Ujamaa” | The Citizen

Business Headlines:

‘Agro-exports set to take centre stage’ | Daily News
‘BoT to check mobile payments’ | The Citizen
‘China to exhibit brands for Africa at “SabaSaba”‘ | The Guardian
‘Kenya Airways in $250m cash for expansion’ | The African
‘Sisal firm to lend farmers Sh5bn’ | The Citizen
‘Uvuvi haramu chanzo cha uchafuzi mazingira baharini [Illegal fishing the source of environmental degradation at sea] | Majira

Regional Headlines:

‘TRA confiscates sugar from Malawi, fines transporters’ | The Guardian
‘New gas discoveries attract Shell to East Africa’ | The Citizen
‘Uganda tightens security at major border posts’ | Daily News
‘Profesa Maghembe: Usalama wa chakula utaisaidia EAC’ [Professor Maghembe: Food Security will help EAC] | Mtanzania
‘The problem not ICC but African leaders themselves’ | The African
‘Wapinzani Senegal waunga muungano kumng’oa Rais Wade katika uchaguzi’ [The opposition in Senegal form a coalition to remove President Wade from power] | Nipashe

Page One: A summary

President Kikwete addresses the doctors’ strike

In a nationally televised address in-front of the so-called Dar es Salaam city elders, President Jakaya Kikwete said that the latest strike by doctors should be the last in the country. According to The Guardian, the President called for a ‘formalisation of a system to govern the running of the health sector to minimise disputes.’ The paper reports that Mr. Kikwete said that the luck of trust between the government and healthcare workers needs to be bridged so that they can work well together for the benefit of the country. ‘Better laws and regulations will guide any person who will be appointed to lead the ministry and therefore there will be no issues of who we like or dislike,’ the President said.

Meanwhile, The Citizen‘s takeaway from the speech was that, ‘JK defends ministers.’ According to the paper President Kikwete told the gathering mix of city elders, politicians and reporters that sacking Health Ministers Dr. Haji Mponda and his Deputy Dr. Lucy Nkya, a key demand of the doctors, ‘would not be a solution to the core problems the medics have listed.’ In the President’s words, ‘the ministers are just passing. I can appoint anyone at anytime, but the ministry is always there, therefore the better way of solving the problems is not to fire ministers but to find the root cause.’

Daily News‘s coverage focused on the parts of the President’s speech that accused the doctors of reneging on their ethical responsibilities. ‘Unlike cargo handlers who would decide to clear backlog cargo day and night once the strike ends or people who would decide to walk and get to their destinations if the commuter buses strike, you cannot recover a lost life when you resume work after a strike,’ President Kikwete said. Furthermore, the President, according to the paper, expressed surprise at human rights organisations who supported the strike, suggesting that they had other agendas that contradicts their professed beliefs which should have, in his eyes, compelled them to lobby for doctors to save lives.

In the end, though, as Majira had it, President Kikwete ‘promised good things to doctors.’

Former President Benjamin Mkapa campaigns for Sioi Sumari in Arumeru East

Former President Benjamin Mkapa opened CCM’s campaign in Arumeru East with a rousing speech aimed at getting out the vote for the by-election to be held on April 1st. Mr. Mkapa tried to focus on issues close to voters’ mind in the area, especially on matters of land, a reportedly thorny subject in the constituency.

But according to The Citizen and its sister publication, Mwananchi, the former President spent more time talking about himself than stumping for the party’s candidate, Sioi Sumari. According to The Citizen, Mr. Mkapa, used his first 15 minutes or so to expound on his dedication to the party. ‘I am a product of CCM, I have been in this party for decades now,’ he said, before adding, ‘I worked with first President Mwalimu Nyerere and Ali Hassan Mwinyi, so how could I set conditions for my party and leaders? I trust the CCM team.’ Mr. Mkapa was responding to media reports that accused him of demanding certain conditions in return for his campaigning in the by-election. The former President labelled such reports ‘propaganda.’

Meanwhile, the state-owned, Daily News reported that Mr. Mkapa reminded voters to focus on issues instead of personalities when they go to the polls in about two weeks’ time. In the paper’s words, the former national chairman of CCM, ‘advised parties to adddress their respective policies and manifestos during the campaigns instead of “cooking up” lies, innuendos and false promises.’

For his part, the candidate, Sioi Sumari told the gathering crowd, ‘I will immediately address the problem of water shortage if I am elected.’

Professor Ibrahim Lipumba on his party’s struggles

After being received home with great fanfare, the Civic United Fron (CUF) national chairman had to confront questions about his party’s future after weeks of reports of internal divisions that has led to the expulsion and departure of some senior figures within the party, with some forming a rival political organisation.

Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Professor Lipumba addressed the issue of Hamad Rashid, the former leader of the opposition in parliament who was stripped of his party’s membership. ‘The party deals with these issues at appropriate levels according to procedures. If there was a problem, it was dealt with at the right level and appropriately,’ he said, as per Nipashe‘s reporting.

Meanwhile, according to The Citizen, the Professor said that the reason that Tanzania is poor is due to the country’s once socialist past. ‘In the research that I conducted…I realised that democracy and economic freedom are key elements for any country’s development…Ujamaa brought about by the Arusha Declaration robbed Tanzanians of democracy and economic freedom,’ he said. He then added, ‘Nyerere did a lot to bring about national cohesion but failed to create a sustainable economy…The Arusha Declaration is what brought us to where we are now and we will not achieve the MDG’s partly because of historical reasons.’

An interesting analysis from a well-respected economist. The question is, is CUF, under his leadership, the party to offer an alternative vision? It’s hard to say, but if the last four election cycles are any indication, voters do not appear to think so.

Quest for Tanzanite reportedly leaves miners mourning

In a front-page story, The African is reporting that Tanzanite small-scale miners at Mererani, near Arusha, are finding themselves being displaced by investors with the full complicity of local authorities.

The paper promises a ten-part series of reportage from the area that it says will chronicle ‘the defiance and highhandedness [of investors] that makes the area replica of apartheid South Africa.’ The paper alleges that the state police and the state mining machinery are safeguarding investor efforts to remove small-scale miners from the area and are taking control of Mererani’s minerals. ‘When it reaches December the Boers normally declare the state of emergency and a lot of Police are deployed as if there is a war going on,’ an official with the Manyara Region Miners Association told the paper.

The articles alleges killings by foreign investors, the use of water canons and dogs, all deployed with the aim of removing the small-scale miners from the mines. The second installment will appear in tomorrow’s edition, the paper promises.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:55:56 +0000

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

Arumeru East’s by-election campaign heats up

While Chadema continue to insist that CCM’s Sioi Sumari’s candidacy is invalid, the ruling party has enlisted former President Mkapa to lend his help in the campaign .

CUF’s Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba gets a rousing welcome from the party faithful

After a five month sabbatical to be a part of the panel for US’s National Endowment for Democracy, the Professor was greeted on his arrival home with a raucous welcome by supporters.

Doctors go back to work

After meeting President Kikwete over the weekend, the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) and its members agreed to suspend their strike and returned to work Sunday.

A fight over real estate goes to parliament

A piece of land owned by the city of Dar es Salaam has become an issue of contention between two prominent businessmen in the city.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘When we finally legalise prostitution, can we have a broad, inclusive interpretation?’ | The East African
‘Less charcoal use good for the environment’ | Daily News
‘Doctors vs Govt: There’s no magic cure’ | The Citizen
‘Mob “sport” but no justice’ | The Guardian
‘Education and the death of creativity’ |This Day
‘Mkakati kutokomeza rushwa uanzie kwa watendaji’ [Efforts to stamp out corruption should start at those who give bribes] | Majira

Other stories of note:

‘Five held for stealing [Deputy Minister for Energy] Malima’s property’ | Daily News
‘New York lawsuit over Tanzania gold rush’ | This Day
‘Loans Board out to recover 811bn/-’ | The Guardian
‘Call for non-party politics’ | The Citizen
‘Tanzania takes on counterfeits afresh’ | The East African
‘Sitta afyatuka’ [Sitta explodes] | Uhuru
‘Katiba mpya, wabunge wasiteuliwe kuwa mawaziri’ [In a new constitution, members of parliament should not be chosen to be ministers] | Majira
‘Bukoba waiambia APRM udhaifu katika serikali’ [Bukoba tell APRM the weaknesses of government] | Mwananchi

Business Headlines:

‘Damaged EASSY Cable Repairs to take 2 weeks’ | This Day
‘Farmers’ bank due Dec 2012’ | The Citizen
‘More Chinese investors eye Tanzania’ | Daily News
‘Blue Line drags EADB to court again’ | The East African
‘Two-year treasury bonds over-subscribed’ | Daily News
‘Doing business in Tanzania’ | The East African

Regional Headlines:

‘War-ravaged Somalia now wants to join EAC’ | This Day
‘Forgotten and unseen, Burundi’s returnees seek permanent solution’ | The Citizen
‘Decision to join EA federation needs a rethink: PART I’ | Daily News
‘EALA boss Abdi presses for greater regional integration in East Africa’ | The Guardian
‘Al-Shabab yashambulia vikosi vya Ethiopia’ [Al-Shabab attacks Ethiopian forces] | Habari Leo
‘Chadema wajitokeza kuwania Ubunge EAC’ [Chadema official to run for EAC parliament] | Majira

Page One: A summary

Arumeru East’s by-election campaign heats up

A day after Chadema and their candidate Joshua Nassari officially launched their campaign in the by-election for the vacant parliamentary seat in Arumeru East, CCM announced that they will begin their efforts to retain the seat later today. The Secretary of the party in Arusha, Ms. Mary Chatanda told Mwananchi that the party was ready and fired up. ‘[We've] come together and coalesced and is united in support of our candidate Siyoi Sumari who we are confident is going to win,’ she said.

CCM is apparently enlisting some big hitters with Uhuru reporting that former President William Mkapa will fire the opening shot for the party’s campaign. The paper says that Mr. Mkapa, who was also CCM’s national chairman during his two-term presidency, will arrive later today and, in its words, ‘fire up’ the party faithful in Arumeru East. According to the party’s campaign manager Mwingulu Nchemba those attending the campaign rally will be locals supportive of CCM in contrast to Chadema, who he claimed, were bussing in supporters from outside the constituency.

Meanwhile, Chadema were still trying to disqualify Siyoi Sumari’s candidacy even after the election observer, Mr. Trasias Kagenzi threw out their initial complaint against the CCM candidate that argues that he was not a citizen. The party says it will appeal the decision to the National Electoral Commission (NEC), according to Nipashe. A Chadema spokesman told Tanzania Daima that, ‘The election observer has said to us that our complaint lacked legitimacy and is against the law, but we have evidence that calls into question the citizenship of Sioi Sumari, showing that he was born in Kenya.’

At their opening rally, Chadema tried to focus their campaign on local issues. The Deputy Secretary General of the party Zitto Kabwe in his address to a gathering crowd, talked about water and land conflicts, two issues which appear to be at the forefront of voters’ minds in Arumeru East. The candidate, Joshua Nassari reiterated Mr. Kabwe’s comments, telling voters that, if elected, he will make sure that locals get their rights to own their land and told local businessmen that he will work hard to improve their business environment. ‘I am saddened to hear that everyday you spend Tsh500 to get access to toilets because there is no toilet here and the environment is unclean. My friends if you elect me to parliament, I will sit down with you and make sure we improve this market for you,’ he said.

CUF’s Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba gets a rousing welcome from the party faithful

After spending five months away as part of a panel of economic experts with the American-based National Endowment of Democracy (NED), CUF National Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba got what the Daily News described as a ‘rousing reception’ home from supporters.

According to the paper, the Julius Nyerere International Airport, ‘[was] packed by supporters in red and white clothes in what could be termed as the first gathering of its kind since the party’s pillars were shaken following dismissal of some members.’ Indeed, while the raucous crowd at the airport sang their affections for their returning leader, the admittedly impressive show of organizational prowess could not hide the fact that in the time Professor Lipumba has been away the party has disintegrated as senior members walked away to form a new political organisation. The back and forth in the press highlighting the party’s deep internal divisions highlighted CUF’s lack of leadership and directionless, especially in the Mainland.

However, according to The Citizen, CUF followers used the occasion to ‘send out a strong message to all those who were doubting the solidness of the party and showed that theirs was still among the strongest opposition outfits in the country.’

Professor Lipumba has been CUF’s national chairman since 1995 and ran, unsuccessfully, for President four times on the party’s ticket.

Doctors go back to work

Following a closed-door meeting with President Jakaya Kikwete, the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) announced that they will suspend their strike and go back to work. According to the Daily News, ‘medical services at public hospitals resumed yesterday’ with healthcare workers receiving and treating patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, Mwananyamala and other regional facilities in Morogoro, Iringa, Rukwa and Tanga.

Activists expressed cautious optimism that the apparent agreement between the government and MAT will be made permanent. Ms. Ananilea Nkya of Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) told The Citizen that, ‘it’s our hope the government has learnt a big lesson and it will not allow the strike to take place again…it should resolve the issues raised by the doctors.’

Mr. Irenei Kiria, of Sikika, an anti-poverty NGO, echoed Ms. Nkya’s comments saying, ‘it is my hope that the government will implement the doctors’ demands as a way of ensuring we don’t witness another strike.’ But Mr. Kiria also had a message to MAT. ‘As the government moves to implement their demands, doctors should not be selfish by only pursuing the betterment of their renumeration and disregard of general improvement in health services within their jurisdiction,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Mwananchi is reporting that on the key demand from the doctors, the President was non-committal. The MAT insisted that the government sack the Minister of Health Dr. Haji Mponda and his Deputy Dr. Lucy Nkya, who they claimed were the source of much of their problems in the sector.

‘The President did not reveal whether he was going to sack them, only that he needs time,’ Dr. Namala Mkopi, President of MAT, told the paper. He went on to say that the President’s statement suggested that, for the time being at least, he will keep Dr. Mponda and Nkya where they are. ‘He said that firing the ministers will slow down any changes the doctors want implemented as it will mean the coming in of a new minister who will be unfamiliar with their needs,’ Dr. Mkopi, paraphrasing the President, said. Nevertheless, he told the paper that they decided to suspend their strike because they have faith in the President’s desire to solve their problems. ‘We trust him he will take care of our issues as he promised as he had faith in us that we’ll go back to work [after his promises],’ said Dr. Mkopi.

A fight over Dar es Salaam’s prime real estate goes to parliament

Two prominent businessmen in Dar es Salaam are embroiled in a contentious fight over land currently owned by the city of Dar es Salaam. According to The East African, Yusuf Manji of Quality Group Ltd and Simon Kisena of Simon Group Ltd are fighting over an UDA depot, the commuter bus company’s property, in Kurasini, an area outside of Dar es Salaam. The issue revolves around what Mr. Manji alleges is the illegal acquisition by Mr. Kisena of UDA and its accompanied real estate properties, which he claims were fraudelently purchased putting into question the ownership of the Kurasini Depot. Mr. Maji, reports the paper, has written to both the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as well as the Public Organisations Accounts Committee urging them to review Mr. Kisena’s purchase of UDA.

The paper suggests that UDA’s headquarters are located right near Dar es Salaam’s Port, which is ideal space for a container yard, a potentially lucrative proposition for whoever ends up with the property.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:14:14 +0000

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

Doctors ignore Government pleas, go ahead with the strike

Despite last minute urging from the Prime Minister to return to the negotiating table, the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) instructed its members to go on strike until Minister of Health Haji Mpondo and his Deputy Lucy Nkya are out.

President Kikwete launches good governance peer-to-peer review mission

President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday handed over Tanzania’s self-assessment report to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa admitted to hospital with an unknown ailment

Former MP has reportedly been forced to seek treatment abroad raising speculation about his strength to continue his political career.

It is International Women’s Day

To mark the date, The Citizen runs a front-page story to celebrate what it terms ‘inspiring women.’

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘The Police force needs to be “extra” clean’ | The Daily News
‘Honouring selfless women in an age of participation’ | The Citizen
‘EAC time to walk the talk’ | The African
‘Watanzania hatutaendelea kwa kutegemea misaada ya wahisani’ [Tanzanians, we won't develop by being dependent on the help of donors] | Mwananchi
‘Tukibadili mfumo wa kilimo maisha yetu yatabadilika’ [If we change our style of agriculture our lives will be transformed] |Rai
‘Usafi shirikishi Dar waweza kuwa tiba’ [Incorporating cleanliness will be the cure for Dar] | Tanzania Daima

Other stories of note:

‘Five seized with Sh72 million ivory’ | The Citizen
‘Chadema yalia rafu Arumeru’ [Chadema cries foul in Arumeru] | Mwananchi
‘Waziri Nundu atakiwa kujiuzulu’ [Minister [for Transport] Nundu asked to resign] | Mtanzania
‘Kurasini set to become region’s business hub’ | Daily News
‘Arusha waandamana kupinga JWTZ’ [Protests in Arusha against the army] | Tanzania Daima
‘Watu saba wahofiwa kufa Geita’ [Seven people feared dead in Geita] | Nipashe
‘Journos challenged to be patriotic, report objectively’ | The Guardian
‘[Mwananchi Communications Limited Channel] faces sedition charges’ | The Citizen

Business Headlines:

‘Cashew nuts stranded at co-ops’ | Daily News
‘Tanzania sees 2011/12 growth above 6% forecast’ | The African
‘Govt cautioned over cheats in oil industry’ | The Guardian
‘Shilling dip triggers rise in local retail fuel price’ | The Citizen
‘Tumaini jipya la maendeleo ya viwanda na uchumi’ [New hope for the development of a manufacturing economy] | Mwananchi
‘Waziri Chami azitaka benki kupunguza riba’ [Minister [for Trade] Chami wants banks to lower interest rates]| Nipashe

Regional Headlines:

‘Kenyan health workers defy govt directive on returning to work’ | The Guardian
‘Kenya’s terrorism law fails US test’ | The Citizen
‘Kenya has fastest internet in East Africa’ | Daily News
‘Ubakaji DRC ulivyomliza Balozi Mulamula’ [The rapes in DRC that made Ambassador Mulamula weep] | Habari Leo
‘Makundi ya kikabila yalizidaka siasa za Kenya’ [Tribal groups hijacked Kenyan politics] | Rai
‘Nchi za EAC zaombwa kudhibiti matumizi mabaya ya silaha’ [EAC countries asked to do more to stop illegal arms] | Nipashe

Page One: A summary

Doctors ignore Government pleas, go ahead with the strike

In a move that can only be described as defiant, the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) went ahead with their threat of striking, ignoring Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda’s urgent appeals to desist from such action. MAT Chairman Dr. Namala Mkopi told reporters that doctors resolved to go ahead with a countrywide downing of their tools after what they felt was the government’s refusal to heed to their demands, reports The Guardian.

A survey conducted by the state-owned Daily News revealed that ‘Dar es Salaam hospitals were adversely affected.’ The paper goes on to report that at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and other regional facilities, ‘most patients [were] being turned away [and] given another appointment dates.’

However, according to The Citizen, a privately-owned publication, some medical practitioners ‘continued to offer services at some facilities in Dar es Salaam and upcountry.’ Apparently at MNH, some doctors were seeing patients but stopped at around noon, ‘ostensibly to attend meetings related to the crisis,’ the paper reports. In Tanga, an activist told the paper that he is preparing to file charges against healthcare workers at the International Criminal Court for what he said were their abdication of their constitutional duties. ‘In essence, they are killers just like any other people who are involved in crimes against humanity in other places and who are referred to the ICC in Switzerland,’ Dr. Muzamil Kalokola said.

Dr. Mkopi reiterated to reporters that MAT took this decision with the singular aim of pushing for the ‘ouster’ of Minister of Health Dr. Haji Mponda and his Deputy Dr. Lucy Nkya, either voluntarily or by presidential decree. ‘We want the public to know that our intention is to improve health services in the country,’ he said, emphasizing that, ‘if we are forced to go back to work, the situation will not improve.’

Asked what he thought of the action of the MAT, Prime Minister Pinda only said that the government was monitoring the situation closely and would issue an official statement soon.

President Kikwete launches good governance peer-to-peer review mission

With doctors on strike across the country and unions demanding the sacking of ministers they deem to be incompetent, President Jakaya Kikwete handed over Tanzania’s self-assessment report to the African Peer Review Mission (APTM), which is in the country to assess governance and transparency. According to The Guardian, the President told the APRM team that the report was ‘internally discussed by stakeholders before it was officially submitted for review in November last year.’

The Daily News, reports that the President reiterated his commitment to the APRM, particularly because of its Pan-African approach, a preferable system, in Mr. Kikwete’s eyes than one that is led by foreigners. ‘We have a number of institutions charged with preserving good governance and the rule of law, including the National Audit Office, the Ethics Secretariat for public leaders and Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance among others,’ the President said.

The African reports that President Kikwete was also quick to remind the APRM team that, ‘it remains our priority to have independent and peaceful nation.’ The Foreign Minister Bernard Membe, who was also present at the launch, said that, ‘it is a good move for the country to start by evaluating itself to identify the weakness and strength and we are doing that so as to make African continent have self evaluation with respect and dignity (sic).’

Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa admitted to hospital with an unknown ailment

Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa has been forced to seek treatment in Germany for an unknown ailment, reports Mwananchi. The paper reports that apparently rumors of his illness have been circulating for a while but its only now that any evidence of it has come to light. The story has it that Mr. Lowassa himself confirmed to the reporter from Germany that he was at a hospital there. The paper reproduces their exchange but a close reading of this phone conversation doesn’t actually confirm definitively whether Mr. Lowassa is indeed sick or not, only that he is at a hospital in Germany.

Meanwhile, in Bunge, Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Thomas Kashilillah told the paper that there has been no official request by Mr. Lowassa MP (CCM – Monduli) to go abroad for treatment, which is the usual procedure in such a situation. ‘I am the office of parliament and I am telling you we have not received a request from the honourable Mr. Lowassa to be sent abroad [for treatment].’ While Dr. Kashilillah did concede that sometimes MPs travel abroad for check-ups, but even then they need to put in a request with the office of parliament. ‘We have a system if MPs want to go abroad for regular check-ups on their own schedule. But until now (the day before yesterday), the Honourable Lowassa is not among them,’ he said.

Former Prime Minister Lowassa was forced to resign his post in 2008 after being implicated in an energy scandal. For a lot of reporters, he retains a fascination, bordering on obsessive, and the manner and approach of this piece of reporting is a reflection of this phenomenon.

It is International Women’s Day

To mark this special day for women around the world, The Citizen dedicated a front-page story to celebrate what it called ‘inspiring women’ of Tanzania. ‘[Our country] can today take pride in a growing corps of women who have demonstrated courage and also the charisma and commitment it takes to lead at the front,’ the paper said. It added, ‘doing this is to recognise that this country is one of the few in Africa that have been genuinely committed to improving the status of women and creating opportunities for them to be the best they can be.’

One of the women mentioned is the outgoing Deputy Secretary General of The United Nations, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, whom the paper describes as being ‘spoken with great respect in the corridors of United Nations agencies and other global platforms.’ The list of inspiring women includes former Miss Tanzania Hoyce Temu, Miss Universe organizer and Communications Consultant Maria Serungi, activist Ananilea Nkya, Speaker of Parliament Anna Makinda. Miss Serungi, though, had a more expansive sense of who inspires her saying that the real heroes are, ‘the millions of mothers who live in the rural areas…They quietly go about the business of bringing up tomorrow’s leaders in trying conditions. No matter how hard life gets, they never quit.’

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:57:21 +0000

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

Stand-off between doctors and the government goes continues for another day

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda tells reporters that dictating to government is unlikely to get doctors what they want.

President Kikwete urges the police to root out corruption in their midst

At the annual conference of police commanders and senior officers in Moshi, the President praised the force for its contribution to reducing in crime in the country but also urged action on corruption within its ranks.

It is Sioi Sumari versus Joshua Nassari in Arumeru East

After the dramatic finale to the primaries for CCM and Chadema in Arumeru East, both parties are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting by-election.

An over-bureaucratic business environment costs the government millions of dollars in revenue

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Dr. Cyril Chami, says port clearance delays, a slow processing of business permits and power cuts are denying the government much needed revenue.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Tuzo ya Rais kwa wawekezaji kuchochea maendeleo nchini’ [Launching of the President's award for investors will spar development in the country] | Majira
‘Another doctors’ strike and the premiership’ | The Citizen
‘Tanesco can do away with self-strangulation’ | The African
‘Polisi, CCM mtaiingiza nchi katika machafuko’ [The Police, CCM you will send this country to violence] | Raia Mwema
‘CUF imekumbatia bundi mzee, itaanguka’ [CUF cloaks itself with aged leaders, will lead to its death] | MwanaHalisi
‘Mgomo wa madaktari unaonukia, unamweka Rais mtanzikoni’ [The coming doctors strike is leaving the President at a bad place] | Mwananchi

Other stories of note:

‘Katiba isitamke umri wa urais [The Constitution should not mention presidential age]’ | Raia Mwema
‘Chadema: No party subsidy money will be used in Arumeru by-election’ | The Guardian
‘Poll anxiety builds up ahead of by-election’ | The Citizen
‘Looking at climate change, food security 20 years ahead’ | The African
‘Urais 2015: Wanasiasa wajipanga kuiga staili ya Kenya’ [President 2015: Politicians prepare themselves by emulating Kenyans] | This Day
‘Chembechembe za uhai zinazidi kuvia, za mauti zinazidi kujizalisha’ [Our body politic's life cells continue to die while, dead ones multiply] | Raia Mwema
‘Wingu lagubika mabilioni mabilioni ya rada’ [A cloud hovers over the Radar billions] | Mwananchi
‘Upinzani waishi na virusi’ [The opposition living with the CCM virus] | MwanaHalisi

Business Headlines:

‘Govt yet to decide on status of 30 pct stake in NBC’ | The Guardian
‘Exim bank targets home grown expertise’ | The African
‘SBL launches ‘Diageo African Business Reporting Award” | The Citizen
‘Premier calls for economic transformation’ | The African
‘TAZARA staff strike over unpaid salaries’ | Daily News
‘Star Times launches new product’ | The Guardian

Regional Headlines:

‘Fight over pasture erupts in Kenya’s northern rift’ | The Guardian
‘Eastern Libya seeks semi-autonomy’ | The African
‘Uganda House asked to lift suspension on [education] probe’ | The Citizen
‘Battle against plastic bags gains ground’ | Daily News
‘Kutimuliwa kwa Malema ANC na siasa za vijana’ [The expulsion of Malema from the ANC and the politics of youth] | Mwananchi
‘Ukomavu wa Demokrasia Senegal na Ubishi wa Rais kikongwe Wade’ [Deepening Democracy in Senegal and the intransigence of elderly President Wade] | Mtanzania

Page One: A summary

Stand-off between doctors and the government goes continues for another day

‘Pinda to doctors: No retreat, no surrender‘, ‘Serikali yaawangukia madaktari Dar [The government comes down on doctors in Dar]‘, ‘Pinda: Waziri Mponda, Nkya hawatajiuzulu‘ [Pinda: Minister Mponda, Nkya will not resign]‘.These are just a few of the headlines that occupied some of today’s front-pages after Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda forcefully denounced doctors in the country. He argued that their decision to issue the President an ultimatum to either sack the Ministers of Health or else they’ll go on strike was improper and unethical. ‘You give a 72-hour ultimatum to the President because you hold the lives of people in your hand to get what you want? This is is unacceptable and I will never agree to it. We did a lot of work to resolve the issues but their demand is unacceptable,’ the PM said as quoted by Uhuru.The Prime Minister, who is increasingly looking like he is staking his political authority on the issue, implored the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) to seriously think about the consequences of their actions, reported The Citizen. ‘If they go on with their planned strike tomorrow (today) they will be playing with the lives of our fellow Tanzanians who are innocent…they should have a sense of humanity and patriotism,’ Mr. Pinda said. But MAT’s President Dr. Namala Mkopi was adamant that if the government failed to heed their key demand, of removing Minister of Health Dr. Haji Mponda and his deputy Lucy Nkya, they will down their tools today, the paper reported, insisting that the ministers were incapable of solving their problems.

According to the Daily News at Muhimbili National Hospital, notices abound of a possible strike today, reiterating the doctors’ resolve. ‘The ministers’ stance to refuse resignation has once again forced doctors to strike which is indeed a hard decision to undertake but it is important for the benefit of all Tanzanians,’ Dr. Mkopi said. The paper goes on to report that doctors are adamant that for any fruitful negotiations to continue, the Ministers have to go.

Asked what would happen if the doctors did go through with their threat of striking, the Prime Minister said, ‘may be I am naive but I think wisdom will prevail and the doctors will not strike today. Otherwise the law will follow its course.’

President Kikwete urges the police to root out corruption in their midst

While his Prime Minister was grappling with the very serious possibility of medical practitioners in the country going on strike, President Jakaya Kikwete was in Moshi, addressing another important organisation serving the people of Tanzania: the Police.

Speaking at the opening of the annual conference for police commanders and senior officers at the Moshi Police Academy, the President applauded the leadership of the Inspector General of the Police (IGP) Mr. Said Mwema who he said, under extraordinary circumstances that include diminished resources, was doing an astounding job, reported the Daily News. According to the President, the police have managed to ensure that the country’s crime is down and continues to decline. ‘People are now using new tactics to commit sophisticated crimes. But I am pleased to learn that in the past few years, criminal incidents have dropped from an average of 94,390 annually to 76, 052,’ he said.

But the President also urged the gathering policemen and women to do more to tackle corruption within their ranks and minimize incidents of police brutality so as to enhance the organisation’s credibility with the people. ‘The people have been complaining endlessly to their leaders on the issue of accepting and asking for bribes to the extent that human rights organisations show the police to be leading in corruption’, he said courtesy of Habari Leo.

According to Nipashe, Mr. Kikwete also urged the police to refrain from abusing people because without them they’ll struggle to do their jobs. ‘Do not disregard the people, for if you have close relationships with them, they’ll have faith in you otherwise there will be problems and they will not cooperate with you. They send me SMSes about that and I forward them to IGP,’ he said.

It is Sioi Sumari versus Joshua Nassari in Arumeru East

Mwananchi is writing that the Arumeru East by-election campaign is starting to get interesting following the completion of the primary stage as now the contenders for the seat are getting ready to compete against each other. CCM’s candidate, Sioi Sumari arrived to pick up his candidacy forms from the local National Election Commission (NEC) branch accompanied by a large entourage usually associated with Ministers and senior elected officials. Afterwards, the secretary of the party in Arumeru Ms. Mary Chatanda thanked supporters for their enthusiasm. ‘I am grateful to you for showing up and accompany our candidate…this kind of support should continue so our party can retain this seat,’ she said.

But Raia Mwema is reporting that trouble may be brewing for Mr. Sumari. Apparently, Chadema are working hard to collect ‘evidence’ of corruption to present to the NEC, in an attempt to undercut his candidacy before a single vote has been cast. But Mr. Sumari was forceful against attacks that his campaign had engaged in corrupt activities. ‘I am surprised at those who are trying to link me with the accusation of bribery. I, as Sioi, have never arranged for someone to seduce others with bribes. These are things that are raised for the primary aim of muddying my name with voters,’ he said.

An over-bureaucratic business environment costs the government millions of dollars in revenue

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Dr Cyril Chami, says that Tanzania is losing close to a $1bn/- annually on revenue due to the deep ‘limitation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) programme,’ reports The Citizen. According to the paper, the EPZs programme in Tanzania was established in 2002 with the aim of promoting export-oriented investments within designated zones, thereby turning them internationally competitive and in turn galvinise export-led economic growth.

However, the Minister pointed out, ‘delays caused by congestion at the Dar es Salaam port, lack of reliable electricity, delay in issuance of work permits and difficulties in securing tax exemption as investment incentives, as among the major stumbling blocks,’ consequently losing the government much needed revenue.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, who was also present at the inauguration of the new Board of Directors for the Economic Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), conceded that Tanzania’s business environment wasn’t quite where it needed to be but expressed optimism for the future as public-private partnerships continue to take effect. ‘We are thankful that the Public Private Partnership Act is now working. All of these challenges to investors should be viewed and turned into opportunities,’ Mr Pinda said.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:01:51 +0000

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

Another doctors’ strike looms as they issue a three-day ultimatum to the government

President Jakaya Kikwete’s government sees its authority tested yet again by another threat of a nationwide doctors’ strike.

Investment in Tanzania and the challenging business environment

The cashew nut industry struggles to escape the shackles of an over-regulated economy while a Chinese project to expand Tanzania’s airport goes pear shaped.

The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to invest in a gas pipeline

A local firm has been tasked with executing a government project to supply gas to industries and residential homes across the country in a first-ever such initiative in Tanzania.

President Kikwete saves Sioi Sumari’s candidacy

A report suggests that Mr. Kikwete endorsed Mr. Sumari’s candidacy despite serious opposition within his party to the prospect of him becoming the next MP from Arumeru East.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘[EAC] Integration is result of mutual respect’ | This Day
‘Demokrasia ya kweli ndiyo msingi wa amani, utulivu’ [True democracy is the real foundation for peace and stability] | Majira
‘Africa is rising but Britain’s bwanas are slow to respond to the challenges of the new era’ | The East African
‘Public assets report needed’ | The Guardian
‘Tanzania needs seasoned leaders’ | Daily News
‘Enough of the poor little rich parliamentarian’ | The East African

Other stories of note:

‘Passionate Tinga Tinga disciples seek arts inclusion in school syllabus’ | The Citizen
‘Z’bar dealers accused of selling tainted fuel’ | The Citizen
‘Polisi watajwa kashfa ya wauaji’ [Police named in a murder investigation] | Nipashe
‘Arumeru East polls to show importance of civic education’ | Daily News
‘Corruption allegations hit WWF programmes in Tanzania?’ | This Day
‘Ukwepaji kodi watikisa’ [The extent of tax evasion is frightening] | Uhuru
‘Sofia Simba adaiwa kupora ardhi Rufiji’ [[Minister] Sofia Simba accused of stealing land in Rufiji] | Mwananchi
‘Mbowe alishukia jeshi la polisi’ [Mbowe comes down on the police] | Majira
‘High cost of living stifles urbanisation even as population rises in cities’ | The East African
‘Speaker decries reliance on donor support’ | The Guardian
‘Swedish technology saves Tanesco from blackouts’ | Daily News

Business Headlines:

‘Mobile financial services users up’ | The East African
‘Mlimani City sold for 123bn/- to Botswana firm’ | This Day
‘Bank of Africa vows to lower interest rates’ | The Citizen
‘Hitachi expands IT footprint in Africa’ | The East African
‘Central bank relaxes muscle on T-Bills’ | Daily News
‘TV importers set to benefit in Isles govt digitisation project’ | The Guardian

Regional Headlines:

‘Sudan’s Omar Al Bashir orders Popular Defence Forces camps to open’ | The Guardian
‘Mlimani City sold for 123bn/- to Botswana firm’ | This Day
‘Bank of Africa vows to lower interest rates’ | The Citizen
‘Hitachi expands IT footprint in Africa’ | The East African
‘Central bank relaxes muscle on T-Bills’ | Daily News
‘TV importers set to benefit in Isles govt digitisation project’ | The Guardian

Page One: A summary

Another doctors’ strike looms as they issue a three-day ultimatum to the government

Over the weekend, doctors demanded that the government remove the current Minister of Health Dr. Haji Mponda and his deputy Dr. Lucy Nkya from their posts if there is to be any hope of resolving the current stand-off between the two parties.

According to The Guardian, some members of parliament pounced on the news and are pressuring the President to heed the doctors’ demands or else face the prospect of medical practitioners going on strike for the second time in less than a month.

John Mnyika MP (Ubungo – Chadema) was quoted by the paper, supporting the doctors, saying that the government has dithered on taking actions against the ministers who he claims are the source of the problem. Another MP Godfrey Zambi (Mbozi East – CCM) reiterated Mr. Mnyika’s point, saying that, ‘I am surprised why the government is not acting on the problem, instead it is just assuring members of the public that it will work on it.’

Meanwhile, The Citizen viewed the situation, what amounts to an ultimatum by doctors to the President, as a ‘big test for JK.’ Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) Ms. Ananilea Nkya, tells the paper that the issue is a ‘good governance test to President Kikwete,’ adding that the President, ‘has to make a decision between the two ministers and protecting the lives of people who depend on the doctors.’ The paper’s story is filled with the perspective of activists who seem to be unanimous in their support of the doctors’ tactics and lay the blame for the showdown entirely on the government.

Elsewhere, the President of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) Dr. Namala Mkopi told reporters his members were deeply angered at what they perceive to be broken promises by the government. ‘We agreed that those who caused the strike reached the stage where some Tanzanians lost their lives were going to be dealt with. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said to us that it is necessary that people be held accountable,’ he said, as per Mtanzania. While Dr. Mkopi applauded the suspension of the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Medical Officer, he said that the fact that the Minister and his Deputy are still on the job shows a reluctant to root out the problem as agreed by both parties.

As the doctors’ three-day ultimatum comes to a close tomorrow, it is unclear which way the situation will unfold. The decision by MAT to essentially challenge the authority of the President, threatening to go on strike unless their demands are met, is a high risk tactic. As for the President, he finds himself cornered into a politically dicey situation. On the one hand, if he relents to the doctors’ ultimatum, he could come across as weak, as his decision might be perceived as capitulating to threats. On the other hand, if the doctors do go on strike, and patients suffer as a result, the blame would be placed squarely on his shoulders.

Beware the Ides of March, indeed. All involved would be well to heed the Bard’s warning.

Investment in Tanzania and the challenging business environment

The Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT) is grappling with the government decision to impose a five percent levy on their product, The East African is reporting. The $70 million industry, responsible for 5% of the country’s earnings is, complaining that the new levy will impact profits considerably. Furthermore, according to the paper the increase in auction price means that exporters could be unwilling to buy the product. This may put cooperatives in a difficult position of struggling to pay debts to farmers.

Elsewhere, a reportedly 500bn/- project to expand the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam has collapsed under mysterious circumstances. This Day, in a summarized version of a story that appeared in The (British) Guardian, writes that while it is unclear why the Chinese investors pulled out of the project, the reason may have something to do with a parliamentary inquiry on another Chinese connected oil and gas deal. ‘A few months after signing the memorandum, China Sonangol was granted licences to explore two oilfields in the Lake Rukwa basin in south-west Tanzania,’ reports the paper.

However, a parliamentary inquiry carried out by Zitto Kabwe MP (Kigoma North – Chadema) led to a withdrawal of the licences in 2010. Complicating the matters farther, Chinese Sonangol has loaned $21 million to Air Tanzania, saving the company from bankruptcy, which may have been part of a leveraging strategy to secure rights to the Lake Rukwa oilfields, the paper quotes Mr. Kabwe as suggesting.

The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to invest in a gas pipeline

The front-page of the Daily News contains a story that suggests the government through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is about to execute a 4.5bn/- project that will supply gas to what it describes as ‘light industries and 57 residential houses…a move that that would ease the power bill burden on consumers.’

BQ Contractors, a local firm, is tasked with implementing the project and its Managing Director John Bura, who is also the lead engineer on this, told the paper that, ‘they have procured almost all the materials’ needed and will look to complete the pipeline in two months. TPDC tells the paper that the project will do more than simply supply gas, it’ll also help to ‘curb deforestation and pollution in the country,’ the paper says. According to the company’s Managing Director Yona Kilagane, since the country’s discovery of gas in 2004, ‘the government has saved over 2 million US dollars from importation of fuel.’

President Kikwete saves Sioi Sumari’s candidacy

Despite twice winning the popular vote of local CCM members in a primary in Arumeru East, Sioi Sumari was still viewed by many within the party’s Central Committee as being unsuited to run for parliament, according to Mwananchi.

The paper reports that CCM’s Director of Publicity Nape Nnauye and the Minister Stephen Wassira were deeply opposed to Mr. Sumari’s candidacy being validated by CC, arguing that his campaign’s finances were too irregular. But President Kikwete, who also happens to be the National Chairman of CCM, refused to do invalidate the primary results and as he was not convinced that the alternative, the man who lost twice in the primary, Mr. William Sarakikya had a better chance of retaining the seat for the party, decided to endorse the results. Afterwards the President, according to the paper, issued this piece of advice to Mr. Sumari: ‘Now don’t go around boasting that you’ve dropped people. Go campaign, win the seat and we’ll look at other things later.’

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:47:38 +0000

Tanzania

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

Sioi Sumari wins the Arumeru East primary run-off

CCM has finally settled on a candidate for the Arumeru East by-election after Mr. Sioi Sumari defeated Mr. William Sarakikya in a run-off to apparently secure his party’s nomination.

Africans petition President Kikwete on small-scale agriculture

Agricultural activists sent the President a petition signed by over 16,000 small-scale farmers asking for more investment in the sector, the largest employer of Africans in the continent.

President Kikwete: I signed off on the constitutional review to avoid a revolt by CCM backbenchers

In his monthly address to the nation, President Kikwete said that one of the key reasons as to why he signed off on the constitutional review was so that he could avoid an uprising by his own party’s MPs.

Power rationing returns after two major producers reduce supply to the national grid

IPTL and Aggresko, two key energy companies responsible for the supply of electricity in the country, have scaled back production precipitating regular blackouts nationwide.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘What gas discovery means to Tanzania’ | The Citizen
‘The challenges of blending politics and development at grassroots’ | The Guardian
‘The parliamentarian and the ideological pendulum’ | The African
‘Wabunge kutaka kujiuzulu kisa posho ni aibu’ [MPs wanting to resign over expenses is shameful] | Habari Leo
‘Dar es salaam bila uchafu haiwezekani?’ [Is a clean Dar es Salaam impossible?] | Nipashe
‘Kudos for compensating pastoralists, but…’ | Business Times

Other stories of note:

‘CUF yaendelea kupasuka Bara’ [ CUF continues to disintegrate in the Mainland ] | Nipashe
‘Tanzanians survive on one meal a day’ | Business Times
‘Over 16bn/- change hands daily at Kariakoo’| Daily News
‘Current downpour not long rain season – TMA’ | The Guardian
‘Meli yanusurika kuzama Z’bar’ [A ship almost sinks in Z'bar] | Mtanzania
‘Madaktari wagomea mazungumzo’ [Doctors refuse to negotiate] | Uhuru
‘Madiwani: Serikali itueleze Mwakyembe anaumwa nini’ [Local Councillors: Government should tell us what ails Mwakyembe] | Nipashe
‘Kauli ya JK urais 2015 yazua mtafaruku’ [JK's comment on the presidential race in 2015 causes problems ] | Majira
‘The Kingdom in a condition of bewliderment’ | The African
‘JK awalilia wanafunzi waliokufa mtoni Arusha’ [JK weeps over the deaths of drowned pupils in Arusha] | Habari Leo
‘Waandishi acheni kuchochea vurugu, asema Dk Nchimbi’ [Journalists stop inciting chaos, says [Information Minister] Dr. Nchimbi] | Mwananchi

Business Headlines:

‘Bank of Africa likes Dar’s business climate’ | Daily News
‘Ensuring ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ in Africa by 2035′ | Business Times
‘BoT advised to mop up excessive money in economy’ | The Guardian
‘NBC: Dollarization deteriorates country’s economy’ | The African
‘BoT measures to curb inflation fail’ | The Citizen
‘Mobile banking’s shs1.5tr boost to formal economy’ | The Citizen

Regional Headlines:

‘Uganda pursues easing policy with rate cut’ | Daily News
‘Zambia rallies support for South Africa’s AU chairmanship’ | The Guardian
‘Garbage demonstrations violence injure six in south Uganda’ | The Citizen
‘EAC told: focus on natural resources management, not on monetary union’ | Business Times
‘Malema atimuliwa rasmi, vurugu kila kona’ [Malema officially kicked out of ANC, chaos everywhere] | Mwananchi
‘Uganda kujenga kambi zaidi za wakimbizi’ [Uganda to build extra camps for refugees] | Nipashe

Page One: A summary

Sioi Sumari wins the Arumeru East primary run-off

After a week in which he had to endure questions from his own party over his citizenship, electability and the ability to fire up the base, Sioi Sumari comfortably defeated William Sarakikya for CCM’s nomination to compete in the Arumeru East by-election. In the end it was not even close. Mr. Sumari won by an almost 2-1 margin securing 761 votes to Mr. Sarakikya’s 361, according to The Citizen. Mr. Sumari is now the presumptive candidate to face Joshua Nasari of Chadema in the by-election to be held on April 1st.

However, according to the Daily News, the final decision of who will be the nominee is still up to the party leadership. CCM’s Deputy Secretary General John Chiligati told the paper that, ‘today’s winner’s name will not exactly determine the official flag bearer until the names have undergone trials by fire at District, Regional and National levels.’ According to published reports, Mr. Chiligati is reportedly one of the voices who aggressively pushed for a run-off after Mr. Sumari emerged victorious in the primary earlier this week, a stand that is believed to stem from an anti-pathy towards his candidacy. Nevertheless, Mr. Sarakikya was gracious in defeat and wished his opponent luck in the coming by-election.

In Tanzania Daima‘s eyes, yesterday’s results, voted in by local party members in Arumeru East, was a rebuke to CCM’s national leadership. ‘Attempts by senior figures within CCM to stop Sioi Sumari from running for the Arumeru East parliamentary seat [have] hit a brick wall,’ the paper said.

In Mwananchi‘s interpretation, Mr. Sumari’s win was a tactical victory for former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa. Mr. Lowassa, who resigned in 2008 after being implicated in an energy scandal, is still perceived by many to be a hugely influential figure within CCM, to the chagrin of some figures inside the ruling party.

According to Mwananchi, ‘this result is a win for one camp within CCM associated with former Prime Minister Lowassa against party members affiliated with the [anti-Lowassa] camp, who opposed the nomination of Siyoi.’ The paper goes on to report that even after yesterday’s results were declared, one senior official sent word through a member to Mr. Sumari, urging him to remove himself from contention. Mr. Sumari reportedly declined.

This result still needs to be verified and given a stamp of approval by CCM’s Central Committee, which will pronounce its final decision tomorrow, the 3rd of March. Whatever the decision, one hopes that CCM takes heed from the bard and is careful to beware the ides of March.

Africans petition President Kikwete on small-scale agriculture

The Guardian is reporting that, ‘activists and farmers representatives from across Africa yesterday handed President Jakaya Kikwete a petition signed by over 16,000 of them the continent’s leaders to increase budgetary allocations to the sector.’ The petitions were presented to the President by ONE, a South African based NGO.

According to the Daily News, Mr. Kikwete was welcoming of the petitioners and expressed broad agreement with their sentiments. ‘Agriculture is no longer an option but a priority,’ the paper paraphrased the President as saying. He then added, ‘Unfortunately, agricultural potential in Africa is under utilised coupled with low productivity and poor services in the rural areas. This state of affairs is intolerable and transformation is a must.’

Speaking to a group of small holder farmers and their attendant supporters from local and continental NGOs, the President re-affirmed his commitment to the so-called Maputo declaration, which demands that African governments allocate 10% of their budgets to agriculture, reports The African. ‘Tanzania has shown its willingness to achieving this. We have tried to increase our budget allocation to agriculture. We know that the allocation is only seven percent of the total national budget, but we are moving very fast towards meeting the target,’ he said.

Agriculture contributes 95 percent of national food, 34 percent of foreign earnings and 24 percent of Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product. It also employs almost 80 percent of the country’s population.

President Kikwete: I signed off on the constitutional review to avoid a revolt by CCM backbenchers

For the first time since the Constitutional Review Amendment Bill passed parliament, President Jakaya Kikwete revealed his thinking on his decision to sign the bill into law. Speaking in his monthly address to the country, the President said that he was partly compelled into the decision by the belief that any other move would have caused a revolt by his backbenchers in parliament, The Citizen reports.

There have been criticism leveled against Mr. Kikwete that he failed to incorporate the opposition’s views in the final bill. But according to him, he ‘decided to sign it knowing that there are other avenues through which we can accommodate views from the other side.’ He then added, ‘we can handle this matter by using both legal and constitutional procedures and we can use such methods to reach our goals.’

President Kikwete also touched on other current issues of national concern in his address, commenting on the recent killings of protestors in Songea and the doctors’ strike. He said that security organs were tasked with dealing with the matter quickly and swiftly. The President also urged doctors to exercise patience. ‘The Prime Minister has declared that the committee that was formed to look into doctors’ concerns has already submitted a report…the government will start working on the recommendations,’ he said, before quickly adding, ‘I am grateful it was resolved, but the scars will remain.’

Power rationing returns after two major producers reduce supply to the national grid

After enjoying months of regular power supply, the country has been warned to expect a return of black outs and rationing following the decision by two suppliers to scale back distribution, reports The Citizen.

Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) which at full capacity contributes up to 100MW to the national power grid, has slowed down its operations ‘due to a shortage of furnace oil used to run its generators.’ Meanwhile, the other power producer involved, Aggreko which generated 10MW has turned off its machines for ‘routine maintenance.’

In the last year, the issue of power in Tanzania, or lack of it, has reached a stage that some have described as ‘catastrophic.’ Last year the country was forced to endure intense blackouts and rationing that at times went on daily for 12 hours at a stretch.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:02:01 +0000

Tanzania

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

President Kikwete critical of the mining industry in Tanzania

President Jakaya Kikwete has called out some mining investors for what he said were their attempts to avoid paying taxes and refusal to abide by commitments to help surrounding communities.

Primary school children drown in deadly floods in Northern Tanzania

Torrential rains in Arusha are being blamed for floods that caused the death of 1o people in Ngorongoro District.

The government encourages civil society organisations to propose names that will make up the constitutional review team

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has sent out a notice to CSOs across the country, urging them to submit names they want included in the soon-to-be-formed constitutional review committee.

Land disputes rise in Tanzania, claims NGO

Haki Ardhi, an NGO based in Dar es Salaam has released a report that argues that ‘powerful’ investors are causing land conflicts in Tanzania.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Madhara ya mgomo wa madaktari yatangazwe”‘ [The cost of doctors' strike should be put out in the open] | Tanzania Daima
‘Kwa nini uraia wa Tanzania unatolewa kama njugu’ [Why is Tanzanian citizenship being doled out like peanuts?] | Mwananchi
‘Songea killings: Tanzanians should respect rule of law’ | The Guardian
‘Time we stopped leaning so heavily on donors’ | The Citizen
‘Reinstating self-reliance policy would address unemployment’ | The African
‘Tanzania bado tunao viongozi’ [Tanzania still has leaders] | Rai

Other stories of note:

‘Mahalu atoa vielelezo vya Kikwete kortini’ [ Mahalu shows evidence of Kikwete's advice in court] | Mwananchi
‘Zitto: Nikiombwa nitagombea urais’ [ Zitto: If I am asked, I'll run for president] | Tanzania Daima
‘Mayor refutes claims on UDA accounts’| Daily News
‘Vigogo wa CCM wasuka njama’ [Senior figures in CCM plotting] | Rai
Chadema yamteua Nasari Arumeru [Chadema nominates Nasari in Arumeru] | Tanzania Daima
‘Brothel landlords agree to quit business’ | The African
‘JK: Mgomo wa madaktari ngoma ilikuwa ‘nzito’ [JK: Doctors' strike was a tough situation] | Majira
‘DPP: Sitakurupuka kumpeleka Waziri Sitta mahakamani’ [DPP: I will not rush into asking Minister Sitta to testify in court] | Mwananchi
‘Radio stations told to abide by professional ethics’ | The Guardian
‘80,000 infants “at risk of HIV”‘ | The Citizen
‘Msekwa: Gazeti limeandika uongo’ [Msekwa: [Mtanzania] newspaper wrote lies] | Uhuru

Business Headlines:

‘Barclays harass former workers ’ | The African
‘Uwekezaji una maslahi gani kwa taifa letu?’ [What benefits are there from foreign investment in our country?] | Mwananchi
‘BoT to issue 500/- coins instead of banknotes’ | Daily News
‘Jiji lahaha kulipa deni la Mchinga Complex’ [ [Dar] City struggles to pay off debts over the Machinga Complex] | Habari Leo
‘Tanzania to open up capital account[s] by 2015′ | Daily News
‘Barrick, [Precision Air] raise Dar bourse market capitalisation’ | The Guardian

Regional Headlines:

‘Rift emerges over EAC monetary union’ | The African
‘Kenya’s annual inflation drops to 16.69 pct in February’ | The Guardian
‘Resentment toward the west bolsters Uganda’s new anti-gay bill’ | Daily News
‘Kenya’s Nyayo tortures revealead’ | The Citizen
‘Waziri Mkuu ajiuzulu Lesotho’ [The Prime Minister resigns in Lesotho] | Mwananchi
‘Ndoto ya Umoja wa Fedha EAC yatabiriwa kukamilika’ [The dream of a monetary union in EAC predicted to be realized] | Majira

Page One: A summary

President Kikwete critical of the mining industry in Tanzania

President Jakaya Kikwete took a stern position against foreign mining companies in the country, coming very close to branding them tax evaders. According to The Guardian, the President apparently said, ‘it’s disappointing to see some mining investors want to benefit alone…leaving the government, surrounding communities with nothing.’

Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Award on the Extractive Industry Corporate Social Responsibility and Empowerment (CSRE) programme, Mr. Kikwete told the industry attendees that the lack of apparent benefits to the government and local communities where these foreign companies operate is a source of huge problems for the sector and the country. ‘This triggers endless conflicts and tug of war between investors and residents living around the mining areas,’ he said.

In the President’s mind, it is very easy to fix these issues. ‘If companies pay taxes that are due to the State, rightfully and timely, they will have good relations with the government,’ he said as per The African. The Daily News described the President’s tone as ‘serious’, saying he urged for a creation of better linkages between the industry and other economic activities in the country. One example he gave was on the importation of foreign goods at the mining sites, which he said was unacceptable. Mining companies operating in Tanzania should buy Tanzanian goods for their sites, otherwise it becomes another source of friction between them and local communities. ‘People will ask, what do we get in return? Our gold is taken, companies have tax holidays and exemptions, they don’t even buy our goods or support us economically,’ he said.

The speech and its critical tone, especially, surprised some in the media, particularly the Kiswahili press. ‘JK acharuka’ [JK explodes] declared Mtanzania while Majira went with ‘[JK] acharukia wawekezaji’ [JK explodes on investors]. Even the usually mild Habari Leo interpreted the President’s tone with an excited headline saying, ‘JK atetea waishio kuzunguka migodi’ [JK defends residents near mines], suggesting along the way that the President appropriated the kind of rhetoric usually associated with activists critical of the sector.

Primary school children drown in deadly floods in Northern Tanzania

The Daily News is reporting that ten pupils from Piyaya Primary School in Ngorongoro District died yesterday after being ‘swept by raging flood waters while attempting to cross Losukutane River.’ According to the paper, the pupils were on their way home from school and found themselves the victim of torrential rains that hit the area hard since Monday afternoon which caused the swelling of the river. Apparently, there is no bridge connecting the two different points between the river and usually residents in the area use stepping stone to cross to the other side.

Meanwhile, The Guardian, which also reported on the tragedy, said that the police working with ‘wananchi’ managed to recover five bodies with the rest still missing. The Ngorongoro District Commissioner Mr. Elias Lali Wawa told the paper that the rains have proved devastating with the cost to the communities still to be fully realized. ‘As we are talking now, officials from the District Council are assessing the actual damage,’ he said.

The government encourages civil society organisations to propose names that will make up the constitutional review team

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs released a statement yesterday imploring civil society organisations to put forth names they deem worthy to be part of the team that will work on the up coming review of the constitution, reports The Guardian.

According to Habari Leo, the statement said that ‘any political party with permanent registration, religious organisations, CSOs, and any group of people with shared values are welcomed to submit a maximum list of three names.’ Apparently, the Ministry asked that the recommendations be sent directly to the President’s office. The deadline has been set to March 16th.

The announcement marks weeks of political wrangling on the issue with different stakeholders contributing to what The Guardian called a fierce debate. President Kikwete initiated the process by announcing the desire to form such a review team. He met with leaders from various political parties before presenting a bill to parliament for approval. The Constitutional Review Amendment Bill was passed by parliament in the recently concluded National Assembly gathering in January, setting the stage for the coming review process.

Land disputes rise in Tanzania, claims NGO

The land rights NGO HakiArdhi has released findings that claim that ‘on average, there are five land disputes daily in the country and three involve powerful investors,’ the organisation’s Executive Director Yefred Myenzi told reporters according to The Citizen.

Mr. Myenzi’s report claims, the paper reports, that the rise in land disputes is the result of an increase in land use without a corresponding increase in land use plans. Furthermore, he claims, outdated land laws and the slow pace of issuing land titles are also to blame for disputes. Additionally, Mr. Myenzi rejects the notion that there is huge, unused arable land in the country. ‘We do not have enough land resources for every Tanzanian. In fact, only a few own huge land resources. What is happening now is that the well-to-do from within and outside the country are in a land grabbing race,’ he said.

The research by HakiArdhi is reportedly based in large part on media coverage of the issue. Therefore, its not entirely clear how objective the conclusions are. But then again, this tracker is based on media reports, so who are we to pass judgement.

(In the interests of full disclosure, Serengeti Advisers is a shareholder in Agrisol Energy Tanzania, which in the past has been a subject of HakiArdhi’s research)

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:09:06 +0000

Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

CCM’s candidates get ready for a run-off in Arumeru East

Following CCM’s central committee’s decision to declare a run off between its top two candidates in the primary in Arumeru East, the two camps are getting ready to make their case, once again, to the party faithful.

Dar’ s Mayor in trouble over UDA

Members of Parliament from Dar es Salaam are accusing the city’s Mayor of colluding with the transportation firm Usafiri wa Dar es Salaam’s (UDA) investor to steal from the company.

PM Mizengo Pinda encourages local input in the extractive industries

The PM says that it will be hard for African countries, including Tanzania, to benefit from their natural resources if they continue to depend on external parties for capital and technology.

Two prominent MPs suggest lowering of age limit for presidential candidates

Two young members of parliament Mr. Zitto Kabwe (Chadema – Kigoma North) and January Makamba (CCM – Bumbuli) argue that in the up-coming constitutional review, voting and presidential age limits be lowered.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Kupotea tulikopotea ni kupotea “kukubwa”‘ [Lost the way we are lost is being lost in a big way] | Raia Mwema
‘International peace efforts finally bearing fruit in Somalia’ | The Citizen
‘Time to end [women violence] no one wants to talk about’ | Daily News
‘Wanaoanzisha vyama vipya vya siasa wanadumaza demokrasia’ [Those who form new parties weaken democracy] | Habari Leo
‘Serikali hii kama ya walevi’ [It is as if this government is like being led by the drunk] | MwanaHalisi
‘Acheni kugombea kama amuwezi kuongoza’ [Stop running for office if you can't lead] | Mtanzania

Other stories of note:

‘Makinda anzisha mgogoro wa maslahi’ [Makinda stirs trouble on the issue of [MP's] benefits] | MwanaHalisi
‘Tunahitaji mabadiliko makubwa’ [We need big changes] | Raia Mwema
‘ADC yet to coin policy, ideology’| The Citizen
‘Pirates threaten deep sea fishing’ | Daily News
‘Zanzibar govt probes oil shortages’ | The Guardian
‘Mahalu amlipua JK’ [[Former Ambassador to Italy] Mahalu blows up on JK] | Mwananchi
‘Siri ya waraka wa Mwakyembe yafichuka’ [The secret behind Mwakyembe's document revealed] | Tanzania Daima
‘Magerezea yawatisha wabunge’ [Prisons saddens parliamentarians] | Mtanzania
‘Wanataka machafuko ya Songea yawanufaishe kifedha au kisiasa?’ [Do [activists and politicians] want the chaos in Songea to benefit them politically or financially?] | Uhuru
‘Ukwapuaji ardhi Afrika na hatima ya masikini’ [Land grab in Africa and the fate of the poor] | Habari Leo
‘When people serve undeserved punishments’ | The African

Business Headlines:

‘Gas reserve found in Ruvuma Basin’ | The Citizen
‘Urgent measures needed to rescue 600bn/- lost in crops harvests’ | The Guardian
‘TIC: Mtwara to become country’s economic hub’ | The African
‘IMF warns of global crisis’ | Daily News
‘JK apangua Bodi ya Kahawa’ [JK dissolves [Tanzania's] Coffee Board]] | Mtanzania
‘Mafuta, gesi vyazidi kuukoroga muungano’ [Oil, gas continue to cause problems for the union] | Mwananchi

Regional Headlines:

‘Uganda shilling up slightly vs $, seen firming | The African
‘Rwandan households sign performance contracts’ | Daily News
‘Monetary Union may not work for EAC – experts’ | The Citizen
‘Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza invites Belgian businessmen to Burundi’ | The Guardian
‘Mugabe: Bado niko fiti, nitagombea urais’ [Mugabe: I am still fit, and will run for president] | Mwananchi
‘Huduma za intaneti zawa kero Afrika Mashariki’ [Internet services become problematic in East Africa] | Mtanzania

Page One: A summary

CCM’s candidates get ready for a run-off in Arumeru East

The two candidates standing in the Arumeru East primary are getting ready for a run-off campaign that will finally decide who will be CCM’s nominee to run in the parliamentary by-election to be held on April 1st, Habari Leo reports. One of the candidates, Mr. Sioi Sumari, who won the first round only for his victory to be nullified by his party’s leadership for reportedly failing to get the required 50% of the vote. Mr. Sumari told the paper that, ‘the decision by the central committee [CC] was wise, and now I am ready for the vote and I ask voters to show up at the polls. Also, I am very much a citizen of Tanzania,’ he said referring to a rumor that had been circulating questioning whether he was Tanzanian. When reached for comment, the other candidate in the race Mr. William Sarikikya echoed his rival’s statement saying, he too, had no problem with the decision to hold a run off.

But others in the press appeared less inclined to move on. According to Mtanzania, senior officials within the CC were against Mr. Sumari’s nomination and actively advocated for his victory to be invalidated. The paper, quoting a source who says is familiar with what happened, claimed that national Vice-Chairman of the party Mr. Pius Msekwa and the Deputy Secretary General Mr. John Chiligati were adamant that Mr. Sumari was not the right candidate, saying that he was not a citizen. ‘The entire time they were claiming that he was not born in Arumeru, something that seemed to have surprised other members of the committee,’ the source said and then added, ‘you know, Chiligati has a record of claiming that others are not Tanzanians as he did in 2010 against a candidate for parliament in Nzega, Hussein Bashe. If this keeps up it will kill our party.’

Meanwhile, the voices against Mr. Sumari’s candidacy seem to not be confined to the national leadership. In a story titled ‘Sarakikya ang’ara dhidi ya Sumari’ [Sarakikya shines better than Sumari], Raia Mwema suggests that local CCM officials have deep misgivings about his ability to win the by-election. ‘He is new to politics…and he is not particularly well versed in the arena of politics, so he will need a lot of help to win, not only in the primary but in the by-election too,’ a member of the party in Arumeru told the paper. The paper then goes on to suggest that political winds are on the back of Mr. Sarakikya who came out of the first round, more or less, undamaged whereas his opponent was marred by accusations of corruption. The paper also noted that Mr. Sarakikya is more experienced, having competed with Mr. Sumari’s father in the 2010 primary.

Elsewhere, Chadema is also grappling with with its own primary, with accusations flying that Joshua Nassari, the self-proclaimed presumptive nominee for the seat, has been raising money even before the primary has been called, Uhuru reports. This is a two-day old story, and ran in the CCM-owned newspaper, so it is advisable that readers take it with a pinch of salt. What is certain is that the Arumeru East by-election is shaping up to be an exciting campaign.

Dar’ s Mayor in trouble over UDA

A new chapter to the controversy over the privatisation of the bus company of Usafiri wa Dar es Salaam (UDA) opened yesterday after Dar es Salaam members of parliament accused the city’s Mayor Dr. Didas Masaburi of colluding with the management of Simon Group, the company that aims to buy UDA from the government, to ‘siphon’ hundreds of millions of shillings’ from the company’s accounts.

According to the Daily News, following an emergency meeting of the MPs, John Mnyika (Chadema – Ubungo), the Secretary of the Committee, released a statement saying, ‘The committee of Dar es Salaam MPs is meeting today after receiving reports and documents on corruption and violation of the law that is taking place in UDA.’ The violations alluded to in the statement include, as per the paper, directives to withdraw cash from UDA’s bank accounts, contrary to directives of the Local Councillors of Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, MwanaHalisi is reporting that Dr. Masaburi has given his official blessing the decision by Simon Group to buy new buses for UDA, a move that the paper says is being viewed in some quarters as “mutinous” against the government. Apparently, the decision was made in a meeting without the presence of the Treasurer who represents the government’s interest, which goes against normal procedures for such actions.

Habari Leo, in an interview with Dr. Masaburi, quotes him as saying that the decision to withdraw the cash and put it in a new account, at the core of the committee’s issue with him, was made so as to make it easier for UDA to operate. Dr. Masaburi told MwanaHalisi, ‘I thought it wise that they open a new account which will have their own money so they can spend it. In this new account there is no single cent from UDA. The money in the account is Simon Group’s and they wanted to spend it.’ The money spent from the account has reportedly financed the purchase of the new buses.

The Dar es Salaam parliamentary special committee will release its full findings on the entire matter later today.

(In the interests of full disclosure. UDA, before the process of privatisation had been initiated, was chaired by Mr. Iddi Simba who is currently a Non-Executive Director of Serengeti Advisers)

PM Mizengo Pinda encourages local input in the extractive industries

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda says unless African countries develop ways of localising the capital and technology needed to exploit their natural resources, they will continue to depend on foreign firms in the extractive industries.

According to The Guardian, the PM was speaking at the opening of a roundtable discussion on natural resources in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Lack of local linkages between the different sectors within the extractive industries is a key factor as to why Tanzania is failing to fully benefit from their natural resources. ‘Processing and production of final products could be probably the least developed linkage due to lack of technology, equipment as well as strong research and industrial base in the continent,’ he said then added, ‘in this context, the continent is losing huge sums of revenues and employment opportunities, perpetuating the dependency and aid syndrome.’

Paul Collier, an Oxford University professor led the discussion, and according to The Citizen, argued that governments need to put in place special tax regimes that guarantee a fair return on their natural resources. ‘You can tax a mining company, for example, the same way you tax a manufacturing company,’ he said. If Tanzania, and other African countries are not careful, then they are in danger of suffering from the so called ‘resource curse’ seen manifesting itself across the continent and elsewhere, Prof. Collier warned. He also suggested that government enter into contract in an open manner. ‘Never enter secret agreements with individual companies,’ he said. ‘Transparency is crucial.’

Two prominent MPs suggest lowering of age limit for presidential candidates

Two young parliamentarians made the case yesterday for lowering the current age limits for voting and presidential aspirants. Mr. Zitto Kabwe (Chadema – Kigoma North) and January Makamba (CCM – Bumbuli) said at a forum discussing youth and the constitution said that the current voting age limit of 18 should be lowered to 16 while for the presidency it should fall from 41 to 35, reports Mwananchi. Mr. Kabwe said that there is nothing new in this suggestion. ‘We will not be the first ones to do this because there are a lot of countries in the world where the age allowed to run for president is 35 years old. So young people we should look at this new issue in the debate over the coming new constitution,’ he said.

For his part Mr. Makamba said that 16 year olds are perfectly capable of making sound decisions. ‘The age beginning 16 is enough for someone to figure out what kind of leaders we should have,’ he said.

Asked whether he was making the suggestion to lower the age limit for presidential candidates so he can be allowed to run, Mr. Kabwe, according to Habari Leo said, ‘I do not want the constitution to be reformed for my benefit. I do not want to give the impression that my articulating what young people want is because of me…I am a human being and I may not possess the personal attributes needed but there may be other people out there younger than 41 with the skills and patriotism to lead our country,’ he said.

The Daily Media Tracker

omar — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:04:42 +0000

Tuesday, February 28^th, 2012

Page One: Key stories of the day

CCM’s Central Committee orders a re-run of its party’s primary in Arumeru East

Mr. Sioi Sumari and his closest competitor Mr. William Sarakikya will now compete in a run-off to determine who will be CCM’s nominee for the vacant parliamentary seat of Arumeru East.

It’s official. Former CUF members form a new party

Several former high ranking officials of the Civic United Front have come together to form a new political party, the Alliance for Democratic Change, confirming weeks of rumors of splits within the party.

Minister Mwakyembe poison controversy continues

The Minister for Home Affairs Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha breaks with his Director of Criminal Investigations, questioning his investigative tactics.

Politics may prove to be a hindrance in the East African integration process

An Oxford academic suggests that political considerations currently driving individual countries’ relationship within the East African Community could prove poisonous to the future of the regional bloc.

Notable editorials/opinion pieces:

‘Our education should focus on self-reliance’ | The Citizen
‘Kujitoa ubunge ni kuwakosea wapiga kura wenu’ [To resign from parliament does an injustice to your voters] | Habari Leo
‘Policemen and their guns’ | The African
‘Vyombo vya habari vinaposhabikia madudu ya wanafunzi’ [When the media act as cheerleaders of students' failures] | Mwananchi
‘Foreign investors are most welcome’ | Daily News
‘Wanaharakati, wataalamu wanapozozana “ubakaji ardhi” katika Afrika’ [When activists and experts, quarrel on the issue of so-called land grabs in Africa] | The Guardian

Other stories of note:

‘Iran determined to cooperate wit Tanzania’ | The African
‘Kilosa river is feared polluted by oil’ | Daily News
‘Probe team hands in doctor’s strike report’| The Guardian
‘Court says No to advocate’s plea to have press headlines censored’ | The Citizen
‘Uvuvi Ziwa Victoria kusitishwa’ [Fishing in Lake Victoria to be halted] | Mwananchi
‘Zitto amsuta Makinda’ [Zitto responds to Makinda]| Tanzania Daima
‘Mapato sekta ya madini bado dhaifu’ [Revenue from the mining sector still weak] | Tanzania Daima
‘Chande appoints magistrates’ panel to hear EPA case’ | The Guardian
‘Wanataka machafuko ya Songea yawanufaishe kifedha au kisiasa?’ [Do [activists and politicians] want the chaos in Songea to benefit them politically or financially?] | Uhuru
‘Wazee waunda timu ya kumuona Rais Ikulu’ [Elders form team to go see the President at State House] | Majira
‘War against fake drugs gets boost’’ | The Guardian

Business Headlines:

‘Red tape in issuing title deed scares investors’ | Daily News
‘[Serengeti Development Society] kuanzisha benki’ [Sedeso to create a bank] | Habari Leo
‘Mobile Money transfers have no effect on inflation, BoT’ | Daily News
‘BoT announces bids for Sh100bn treasury bills’ | The Citizen
‘Closure of Saccos blamed on double taxation’ | The Guardian
‘Kwa nini mjasirimali anafilisika?’ [Why do entrepreneurs go bankrupt?] | Mtanzania

Regional Headlines:

‘Al-Shabaab suspects face criminal charges in Kenya’| The Guardian
‘Kagame calls for IFAD’s member states to be bold’ | Daily News
‘EAC meets to discuss Euro Zone experience’ | The African
‘Cops fired over opposition gifts [in Uganda]’ | The Citizen
‘Uganda shilling slides on bank orders, seen weaker’ | Daily News
‘Limpopo “looting” tests S. Africa’s ANC on graft’ | The Guardian

Page One: A summary

CCM’s Central Committee orders a re-run of its party’s primary in Arumeru East

Yesterday, the papers were rife with speculation that CCM’s central committee were about to invalidate the primary results in Arumeru East.

By evening, official word revealed that Mr. Sumari was, indeed, not going to be confirmed as CCM’s nominee. Neither will Mr. Sarakikya. Not yet, anyway. According to The Guardian, CCM’s Director of Publicity and Ideology, Mr. Nape Nnauye said that Mr. Sumari and Mr. Sarakikya will now have to compete in a run-off to determine who will represent CCM in the Arumeru East parliamentary by-election in April 1st. Mr Nnauye was quoted as saying that, as per the paper, the ‘central committee reached the decision because none of the candidates scored more than 50 percent of all the votes.’

Meanwhile, The Citizen reports that Mr. Nnauye rejected any suggestion that the reason the party decided to have a run-off between the top two candidates because of accusations against Mr. Sioi that he was not a citizen. ‘Don’t make this such a special issue…As you will recall, in 1995 the CC overruled President Kikwete’s victory against Mr. Mkapa,’ he said.

The Daily News quotes Mr. Nnauye as saying that the exercise will be held on March 1st, and the result will be announced two days later after an specially convened political affairs committee examines the votes. ‘They will assess the whole exercise in the evening and announce the results on Saturday,’ he said. The Guardian says that the aforementioned committee will include the party’s national Vice-Chairman Mr. Pius Mswekwa, amongst others.

While CCM seems to have found an adept way of ameliorating what could have potentially been an explosive political situation, at once appeasing those within the party with serious doubts about Mr. Sumari’s electability but at the same time not looking as if they were deliberately circumventing the primary sources, it did not stop the Kiswahili press from running such negative headlines as these: ‘CCM zengwe zito Arumeru’ [CCM with a big dilemma in Arumeru] – Nipashe, ‘Siyoi Sumari aitesa CCM’ [Siyoi Sumari a headache for CCM] – Mtanzania, ‘Mtoto wa Sumari “atoswa” kuwania ubunge’ [Sumari's son thrown out of running for parliament] – Majira

Well, as they say in politics, you can’t win them all.

It’s official. Former CUF members form a new party

After months of internal wrangling within the Civic United Front (CUF), it was only a matter of time before something had to give. That thing arrived yesterday, after senior party officials left CUF to establish a new political party. According to the Daily News, the formation of the new party called the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) by several ‘former high-ranking members’ of CUF signals the ‘disintegration of one of the strongest political parties in the country.’

After presenting the application of his new party to the political parties registrar, the interim Chairman of ADC and the former national campaign manager of CUF in the 2010 general election, Mr. Saidi Abdallah Miraji, told reporters that, ‘we have formed a political party but our decision is not because we want to be cheerleaders [for others]. Politics in this country means its pointless to move to another party because they are all the same,’ reported Mwananchi.

CUF’s problems came to a head a few weeks ago when the party decided to expel one of its most senior figures Mr. Hamad Rashid, the MP for Wawi and a former leader of the opposition in parliament, for allegedly undermining his party’s leadership, precipitating the course of events that has brought them to a place where their future existence is in serious jeopardy.

Minister Mwakyembe poison controversy continues

The Minister for Home Affairs Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha has publicly contradicted his Director of Criminal Investigations Mr. Robert Manumba on the latter’s suggestion that Deputy Minister of Works Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe does not suffer from a poisonous infection, reports Mwananchi. According to the paper, this is the first time Mr. Nahodha has commented on the issue, revealing once again how divisive the controversy has become for the government.

Mr. Nahodha suggested it was amiss for the DCI to comment on an on-going investigation, an act that could possibly prejudice the results. ‘What I am saying is, the investigation is still being carried out. And have I announced its results? I am the Minister and I’ll be the one who will reveal its conclusions,’ he said.

In a conversation with reporters, Mr. Nahodha went on to say that while his DCI may not be wrong in the specific sense that it does not look like Minister Mwakyembe has been poisoned, to know for sure how he came to that conclusion, it would be better to find out from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. ‘From my perspective, this issue relating Dr. Mwakyembe needs to be dealt with carefully. As for what the DCI said, you better ask him yourselves,’ the minister said.

Asked to comment on what he thought about his apparent boss’ willingness to contradict his statements publicly, DCI Robert Manumba said, ‘I will not argue with my minister or any minister for that matter. All I can say is that I have prepared my report and it is with the [Director of Public Prosecution]. If I start commenting on this or that, people might start to think I am being defensive.’

Politics may prove to be a hindrance in the East African integration process

Political considerations are undermining efforts to deepen a viable and succesful economic regional bloc within the East African Community (EAC), Prof. Paul Collier of Oxford University told a gathering of influential figures in the region yesterday in Dar es Salaam. ‘East Africa needs a coherence in trade. Politics can at times be a burden to economic integration,’ he said as reported by The Citizen.

For his part, the EAC’s Secretary-General Mr. Richard Sezibera argued that deeper economic integration will serve the entire region which in the process will work to strengthen individual countries’ institutions. ‘At the EAC level, there are definitive ongoing programmes geared towards the promotion of a regional capital markets regime and institutions,’ he said.