Tanzania Roundup: $40 million investment, ties with Kazakhstan, opposition leader murdered

Solving human-wildlife conflict

Tanzania is confronting the persistent issue of human-wildlife conflict, particularly with elephants encroaching into agricultural and residential territories. Recent reports from the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) indicate that over 500 elephants have been successfully relocated back to their protected habitats using helicopter assistance from January 2023 to July 2024, reports Big News Network. Key affected areas comprise Lindi, Mara, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, and Mbeya. In a bid to bolster wildlife conservation and better manage these conflicts, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism is set to recruit 1,187 new game rangers over the next two years.

Opposition leader abducted and murdered

In a tragic turn of events, the lifeless body of Ally Kibao, a senior official from Tanzania's opposition CHADEMA party, was discovered on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam following his abduction by armed assailants. His remains exhibited severe injuries, and acid had been inflicted upon his face. This incident potentially jeopardises the reformist reputation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, particularly as Kibao was kidnapped just a day prior, as reported by Azer News. While a preliminary post-mortem examination has been conducted, a comprehensive autopsy report is anticipated shortly.

Diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has reinforced its diplomatic ties with Tanzania and Mozambique by appointing Yerkin Akhinzhanov as its ambassador to both countries, while he concurrently maintains his ambassadorial role in South Africa. According to KINA, Akhinzhanov brings an extensive diplomatic portfolio, having served as Kazakhstan’s deputy Permanent Representative to the OSCE and the UN, and Minister Counsellor in various missions including those in Norway and the US. He is an alumnus of the Alma-Ata Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages.

$40 million investment

In a significant economic development, South Korean steel giant POSCO is embarking on a $40 million investment initiative involving Tanzanian enterprise Black Rock Mining, staged over two phases. The initial phase aims to inject $9 million, thereby increasing POSCO's equity in Black Rock Mining from 10.1% to 19.99%. The subsequent funding phase is intended to facilitate the construction of Module 1 of the Mahenge Graphite Project and will confer long-term offtake rights for graphite concentrate produced from Module 2, reports Energy Capital & Power. According to Black Rock Mining CEO John de Vries, this agreement is pivotal for enhancing stakeholder confidence and ensuring funding transparency for the project's production.

Samia reacts to murder of opposition leader

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has publicly expressed her profound grief regarding the murder of opposition CHADEMA leader Mohamed Ali Kibao, urging for a meticulous investigation into the incident. She reinforced the notion that Tanzania is a democracy, where the right to life is paramount, asserting her government's firm stance against acts of violence. CHADEMA Chairman Freeman Mbowe disclosed that Kibao’s body exhibited signs of extreme brutality, including severe beatings and acid burns. The ruling party's Secretary for Ideology, Amos Makalla, extended his condolences and called for thorough police investigations. According to Daily News, this harrowing act has been met with widespread condemnation from various political factions, including ACT Wazalendo, highlighting the pressing concern of political violence in Tanzania. The Police Force is actively pursuing investigations, deploying specialist teams to enhance their investigative capabilities.