Dar es Salaam Archives - Jean-Jacques Cornish

WHO says Tanzania’s being reticent about EBOLA cases

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 22:00:00 +0000

The World Health Organization says Tanzania’s not being transparent about three suspected EBOLA cases within its borders.

The UN health are says its requires the information to make a proper risk assessment.

Heavily reliant on tourism, Tanzania is reluctant to be associated with the EBOLA outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo that has sickened more than 3000 people and killed more than 2000.

The World Health Organization has sought confirmation from Tanzanian authorities about three cases in that country – one of them in the capital Dar Es Salaam.

The EBOLA outbreak in the Congo has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

At least four people have died from EBOLA in Uganda, having carried the deadly hemorrhagic disease across the border.

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Tanzanian government to build monument to victims of tanker explosion

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 22:00:00 +0000

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa says a monument will be built for the 71 people died in last week’s explosion of an oil tanker.

He was speaking at the mass funeral for the victims, many of who were burned beyond recognition.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa says the Tanzanian government will provide gravestones for those killed by the tanker explosion once their bodies have been identified using DNA examination.

President John Magafuli says government will pay the medical expenses of the more than 70 people badly burned in the petrol flames.

There have been calls for survivors of the explosion at Morogoro 200 kms west of the capital Dar Es Salaam to be prosecuted to deter people from trying to syphon petrol from overturned tankers.

Magufuli says this not the time to judge anyone.

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South Africa officially steps in to secure release of detained activist journalist in Tanzania

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 22:00:00 +0000

South Africa’s officially intervened to secure the released of an activist journalist working to protect her colleagues in distress who was briefly detained by Tanzanian authorities.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu has instructed her ambassador in Dar es Salaam to find out exactly what happened

Angela Quintal, the Africa Programme Coordiantor of the Committee to Protect Journalists and a Kenyan colleague Muthoki Mumo were detained by Tanzanian authorities on Wednesday evening while on assignment in that country.

Details of that assignment have not been disclosed

The journalists’ passports and telephones were confiscated by police.

A fake message was sent from Quintal’s phone within hours of her arrest saying she had been released.

South Africa’s High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam.

Thami Mseleku was instructed to engage with Tanzanian authorities yesterday (Thursday).

He secured the release of the two journalists but it was several hours before he was able to get their passports return.

A South African statement said the journalists were free to leave Tanzania last night.

South African foreign minister Lindiwe Sisulu has asked for a full report from Mseleku.

She expressed her gratitude to him and to the DIRCO staff for their successful efforts in.

She’s urged South Africans traveling abroad to ensure they have the number of her ministry’s 24-hour help line.

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US warns travelers against official homophobia in Tanzania

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 22:00:00 +0000

Washington’s issued a travel advisory to US citizens traveling in Tanzania about an official crackdown on homosexuals.

The European Union’s withdrawn its ambassador to Dar es Salaam citing a deterioration of human rights in Tanzania because of that crackdown.

The US warning says thousands of people are living in fear in Tanzania.

The Tanzanian authorities are calling on the public to report gay people.

Homosexuality is a crime in Tanzania, as it is in 38 other African countries.

It is punishable by death in Mauritania and Sudan.

Five African countries have decriminalized homosexuality since 2004.

Lesbians are particularly targeted for violence in African countries – even in South Africa which has the friendliest climate for LGBTH people on the continent.

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Burundi and Comoros have asked to join SADC

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 22:00:00 +0000

Tanzania hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from the Southern African Development Community that considering taking two new members aboard the regional grouping.

Trouble within the 15-nation grouping will dominate the meeting in Dar es Salaam.

SADC foreign ministers can hardly meet without talking about bringing peace to the two regional headaches which are the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho.

Tanzania currently chairs SADC’s Peace and Security wing.

But they’re also considering taking on new members.

Burundi and the Comoros have asked to join.

Burundi’s neighbor and rival Rwanda has as asked to rejoin the Economic Community of Central African States.

The ministers in Dar es Salaam have to consider how multiple membership of regional economic organizations might impede the East African Community’s integration agenda

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