East Africa

Details: East Africa; 24 October 2023; 675

Photo Courtesy

The State Banquet held in honor of Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, saw leaders from Zambia and Tanzania celebrating the historical bonds and close relations that have united these two nations for decades. President Hakainde Hichilema, in his toast, emphasized the deep connections between the two countries that were initially forged by their founding fathers, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

During the event, leaders from both nations toasted to the long-standing friendship, partnership, and alliance that Zambia and Tanzania have maintained over the years. President Hichilema recognized the importance of strengthening these relations and highlighted the need for even closer people-to-people connections between the two sister countries.

The leaders’ focus on enhancing these connections is intended to further boost trade and investment, resulting in mutual benefits for the citizens of both nations. The State visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Zambia signifies the continuation of these strong bonds.

State Banquet in honor of President Hassan

President Samia was particularly impressed with the economic progress Zambia has made in the last two years under President Hichilema’s leadership. She commended the achievements and urged both countries to continue forging excellent relations at various levels, including government-to-government, business-to-business, and people-to-people interactions.

President Samia pointed out the importance of the economic corridors constructed between the two nations, which have significantly enhanced people-to-people relations and business links. She stressed the need for the two countries to work together, rising above any differences that may arise, to bring the people of Tanzania and Zambia closer.

Former Republican Vice Presidents Enock Kavindele,Dr Nevers Mumba and Attorney at General Mulilo Kabesha at the State Banquet

President Hichilema echoed President Samia’s sentiments, emphasizing his government’s commitment to deepening the partnership shared between Zambia and Tanzania. He called for the enhancement of common projects that would carry forward the legacy of friendship initially established by the founding fathers, ensuring that the strong and mutually beneficial relations continue to flourish.

The State Banquet celebrated not only the rich history of collaboration but also the promise of a brighter future built upon the enduring friendship between Zambia and Tanzania. By Chief Editor, Lusaka Times

Details: East Africa; 24 October 2023; 649

A photo of a section of Mt Kenya

The family of a 60-year-old British woman is mourning after she plunged to her death while hiking Mt Kenya.

She died alongside her guide, Kelvin Muriuki who attempted to catch her when she slipped during the hike.

The duo was coming from hiking the mountain's third-highest summit, point Lenana.

Efforts to rescue the victims after they fell to the bottom of the mountain were derailed by bad weather.

Three attempts were made by the rescuers before their lifeless bodies were found. The two bodies were set to be flown to Nairobi.

The British woman had earlier witnessed a similar fall while hiking before tragedy befell her.

A friend of Muriuki was heartbroken over the moment describing the victim as a guide who lived to serve humanity.

"My friend has rested. Our hearts are broken. May his soul transition to the afterlife peacefully. May his selflessness inspire us to live fully, dedicating our lives to the service of humanity. Go well, Kevin. Continue smiling gracefully in the afterlife," he wrote.

Muriuki has left behind a young family as friends raise funds to cater for the burial and support his wife and kid.

Such accidents can be caused by heavy rainfall in the area which makes hiking dangerous. Various parts of the country have experienced heavy rainfall in October.

There have been several cases reported of hikers falling to their deaths while on Mt Kenya.

Research conducted by a team from Kenyatta University revealed that some hikers defy instructions, putting themselves in danger.

Other reasons for fatalities are a lack of specific training in wilderness first aid and a lack of proper risk management among others. By MAUREEN NJERI.Kenyans.co.ke

Details: East Africa; 23 October 2023; 626

Authorities in Uganda are set to destroy tonnes of locally produced maize consignments previously seized by South Sudan after a fresh independent test carried out by regional experts returned positive results of above normal level of the aflatoxin.

According to The Daily Monitor, the East Africa Community standard experts carried out the fresh test that confirmed the result of the first test carried out by South Sudan Bureau of Standard in May, 2023.

Preliminary lab results reportedly showed that 1700 tonnes of maize products valued at $2 million have now exceeded the normal quantity of the chemical that is scientifically proven to cause cancer.

Jacob Kabondo, Uganda Millers Association Coordinator, said the maize failed to pass the tolerated limit for the aflatoxin.

“The maize failed to pass the EAC agreed permissible limit for Aflatoxin B1 in the EAC economic bloc,” Kabondo said.

In mid-October, South Sudan Ambassador to Uganda Juach said Uganda traders had resumed exporting their maize to South Sudan after halting supplies for over three months due to the measures taken to address food safety concerns, but which escalated into an uneasy trade row.

Juach said the differences that developed in May 2023 concerning the test conducted by the South Sudan Bureau of Standards were resolved after the two bureau standards met.

He stressed that the situation resulted from the fact that some people were found buying food from unregistered maize producers.

“It was also found that some of these people were really not buying from registered grain producers; they were just picking from the markets,” he said.

“So, it was resolved that, before this grain crosses into South Sudan, the Uganda Bureau of Standard will have to certify that they passed the quality checks and therefore will have no problem that has the agreement, and since then nothing has been happening,” he added.

In May 2023, the South Sudan Bureau of Standards held 62 Uganda trucks loaded with maize grains after a lab test found the items contained dangerous chemicals.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain mould species that can contaminate crops and pose health risks to humans and animals if consumed.

In February 2023, Ugandan food scientists found that maize, sorghum and groundnuts produced locally posed a cancer risk. By Matik Kueth, City Review

Details: East Africa; 23 October 2023; 664

The number of people killed in Gaza has reached 5,087 according to latest reports, amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks, while humanitarians repeated urgent calls for a ceasefire and more aid convoys.

Echoing that message, UN health agency (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a new appeal on Monday for “sustained safe passage” for medical essentials and fuel to keep health facilities open.

“Lives depend on these decisions,” he insisted on social platform X.

Latest media reports citing the Gaza Ministry of Health indicate that the number of people killed in Gaza since 7 October has risen to 5,087.

Women and children have made up more than 62 per cent of the fatalities, while more than 15,273 people have been injured.

In its latest humanitarian update on the Gaza-Israel crisis UN humanitarian aid coordination office, OCHA, said that more than 1,000 have been reported missing and “are presumed to be trapped or dead under the rubble”.

Israel: Threefold rise in deaths

According to Israeli official sources quoted by OCHA, some 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, the vast majority in the Hamas attacks on 7 October which triggered the latest conflict.

OCHA said that the reported fatality toll is “over threefold the cumulative number of Israelis killed” since it began recording casualties in 2005.

At least 212 Israeli and foreign nationals are being held captive in Gaza, the Israeli authorities have said. Two hostages were released last Friday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly called upon Hamas to release hostages immediately and unconditionally.

Trickle of aid

According to media reports a new aid convoy entered Gaza from Egypt on Monday through the Rafah border crossing. This was the third such delivery after the crossing opened on Saturday for the first time since the start of the conflict, following intense diplomatic efforts.

A total of 34 trucks with aid provided by the UN and the Egyptian Red Crescent entered the enclave over the weekend. The UN has stressed that to respond to soaring humanitarian needs, at least 100 aid trucks per day are required.

Desperate need for fuel

The development comes as UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Sunday that it was set to run out of fuel within three days, putting the humanitarian response in Gaza at risk.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said that without fuel, “there will be no water, no functioning hospitals and bakeries” and that “no fuel will further strangle the children, women and people of Gaza”.

Education void

Meanwhile, OCHA said that more than 625,000 children in Gaza have been deprived of education for at least 12 days, and 206 schools have been damaged. At least 29 of them are UNRWA-run establishments.

UNRWA reported on Sunday that 29 of its staff members have been killed in Gaza since 7 October – half of them teachers.

In the occupied West Bank, the escalation has also resulted in restrictions on the access to education. OCHA said that all the schools inside the territory were closed from 7 to 9 October, affecting some 782,000 students. As of last week, over 230 schools which cater to some 50,000 students had not reopened. By Christine Muchira, KBC

Details: East Africa; 23 October 2023; 603

DP World has signed a 30-year concession arrangement with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to run and upgrade Dar es Salaam Port, which connects Tanzania and the wider area to global markets.

The concession agreement was signed between Plasduce Mkeli Mbossa, Director General of the TPA and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, in the presence of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The concession to operate and modernise the Dar es Salaam Port was awarded to DP World with the primary objective of optimising the port’s operations to improve transport and logistics services throughout Tanzania and its hinterland.

This is the first stage of a multi-stage investment strategy. DP World would initially invest more than $250 million in port upgrades, with the expenditure potentially increasing to $1 billion throughout the concession period, in addition to hinterland logistical projects.

READ: DP World raises $1.5 billion for decarbonisation efforts

This investment will boost Tanzania’s socioeconomic growth by creating jobs and increasing access to products and services, among other things.

The port will link to Sub-Saharan Africa’s interior via a network of roads, highways, trains, and specialised freight corridors and ports, supporting the continent’s expanding need for logistics solutions and connecting enterprises in the area to global markets.

DP World will collaborate with the TPA and the port’s existing stakeholders to build on this progress, allowing for faster cargo clearance and improved cargo planning, thereby strengthening Dar es Salaam’s role as the maritime gateway for green energy metals from Southern-Central Africa’s copper belt.

Future investments in port modernisation will be made by DP World, including prospective investments in temperature-controlled storage to benefit Tanzania’s agriculture industry, as well as increased connectivity to rail-linked logistics.

READ: DP World attracts key tenants to Thames Freeport

According to DP World, investments may also involve the future establishment of a special economic zone in conjunction with the port’s larger logistics industry, which will expand Tanzania’s position and impact in the future of global commerce.

Speaking on the occasion, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “We are honoured to partner with the Government of Tanzania to revitalise the port of Dar es Salaam.

“The development will deliver trade opportunities for the region, connecting East Africa and broader sub-Saharan Africa with global markets, driving economic growth, job creation, enhanced access to products and service, and creating value for all our stakeholders.

“Alongside other ports that we operate, this concession agreement marks another milestone in our collective efforts to leverage DP World’s global and local expertise to enhance the region’s supply chain to support the economic growth of the entire continent.”

Plasduce Mkeli Mbossa, Director General of Tanzania Ports Authority, added: “We are excited to collaborate with DP World to modernise the strategic port in Dar es Salaam. This project will create significant value for end-users and help the government achieve its goal of reducing logistics costs.

“This strategic initiative is a testament to our ability to drive large-scale infrastructure development by partnering with strategic players, which will allow the government to redirect funds to other critical areas of the economy for the benefit of the people of Tanzania.”

In May, the government of Tanzania announced plans to start a process of acquiring a competent global investor to run operations of the country’s major port of Dar es Salaam. By Dom Magli, Port Technology International