BRIEFING

Briefing on “Business & Human Rights in Tanzania” 2020 Quarter 3: July – September

This publication is part of the Improving monitoring, research and dialogue on Business & Human Rights in Tanzania’ project  implemented by the Tanzanian Commission for Human Rights and GoodGovernance (CHRAGG), Business and Human Rights Tanzania (BHRT) and the  International Peace Information Service (IPIS). This briefing is based on news and research published by Tanzanian and international media, journals and institutions. Its content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions nor work of CHRAGG, BHRT or IPIS. 

 

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Editorial

Since taking office in 2005, President Magufuli has considered infrastructure development as a key element for achieving Tanzanias industrialisation and development goals. As a result, many large-scale infrastructure projects have been ongoing in the country, to deliver road infrastructure, upgrade the country’s railway systems and airports, and to increase and diversify the country’s energy supply through natural gas and hydropower facilities, to name but a few.

While infrastructure projects promise revenue, employment, economic growth and, hence, positive development, the sector’s rapid expansion also raises its potential for adverse impacts on the communities and environments in which projects are implemented. In 2017, the Tanzanian Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG), already highlighted the need for human rights attention to the country’s rapidly growing construction sector (Ref. E.1). In March 2020, over 60 stakeholders from business, civil society and government urged priority focus on the infrastructure sector to advance respect for human rights in Tanzania (Ref. E2).

New findings on the human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects are presented in five new Voices from Tanzania” case studies. These studies assessed the impacts of three energy supply projects: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Manyara region; Ref. E3), the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project (Kagera region; Ref. E4) and rural energy supply projects (Mwanza region; Ref. E5). Also two projects involving transport infrastructure were studied: the Tanzania Strategic Cities project (Arusha & Dodoma regions; Ref. E6) and the Dar es Salaam – Moshi railway (Kilimanjaro region; Ref. E7).  Central to these studies were questions of (1) human rights due diligence by implementing companies, (2) community impacts of specific infrastructure projects, (3) access to remedy in case of harm, and (4) community consultation, participation and awareness related to infrastructure development and human rights.

These questions relate directly to the pillars of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which formulate concrete duties for both State and business actors in promoting the protection of human rights by the corporate sector (Ref. E8). While the UNGPs clearly state that it is the State’s duty to protect citizens from corporate harm, they also indicate that businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights, through proper due diligence processes (Ref. E9). As a third pillar, the UNGPs urge access to effective redress in cases of harm.

All five case studies offer clear examples of the positive impacts of infrastructure development on local employment and socio-economic opportunities. They also note that, in line with the laws of Tanzania, most projects did conduct some form of risk/impact assessment to identify negative impacts and to formulate solutions to mitigate those impacts. Despite this, several shortcomings have been identified, linked to a lack of in-depth knowledge of the often-complex and specific local contexts, insufficient stakeholder engagement and consultation, the absence of effective grievance mechanisms for those seeking redress and the overall limited awareness of how infrastructure projects might impact communities and their rights. These shortcomings have left people vulnerable to harm and challenge meaningful and effective due diligence (Ref. E3, E4, E5, E6, E7).

None of the impact assessments in the “Voices from Tanzania” studies analysed potential adverse impacts in terms of human rights harm. World-wide the momentum is growing to make human rights due diligence mandatory in (certain) supply chains or industries (Ref. E10, E11). Making human rights due diligence a mandatory business practice, instead of a voluntary one, would be an important step to ensure that human rights are adequately considered in companies’ activities and progress is made on the corporate respect for human rights.

Read more : all references from the Editorial

The following overview lists news from July 2020 till September 2020:

Resource extraction

The first term of President John Magufuli led to a significant number of reforms in Tanzania’s mining sector. These include the formation of the Ministry of Minerals, amendments to the Mining Act 2010 and the creation of government-controlled trading centres in mineral-producing regions. The reforms all aim to ensure that the country benefits from its natural resource wealth (Ref. R1, R2). Similarly, the benefit sharing agreement with Barrick Gold and the establishment of Twiga Minerals Corporation Limited illustrate the government’s efforts to secure its stake in the mining sector (Ref. R3).

The contribution of the mining sector to the development of country is also based on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments. CSR is one way for companies to contribute positively to society and the environment, by setting up community programmes, providing basic infrastructure or making other investments in the communities near their operations. In line with Tanzania’s 2017 Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments), mining companies are obliged to invest in local communities. Recent examples of these CSR investments include Geita Gold Mining Limited’s engagement to support socio-economic development in Geita region and to increase its local procurement (Ref. R4, R5).

However, CSR investments do not exempt companies from the necessity to respect human rights and to conduct proper human rights due diligence processes (Ref. E8, E9). Allegations of severe assaults and killings by security personnel of Petra Diamonds’ Williamson Mine (Shinyanga region) highlight that companies’ claims of ethical products are not always in line with human rights due diligence (Ref. R6). To obtain redress, a claim has been filed against Petra Diamonds on behalf of those aggrieved (Ref. R7). The mining company declared taking the allegations seriously and has initiated an investigation (Ref. R8). In the gold sector, MMTC-PAMP, a refiner supplying gold to companies such as Apple, Nokia and Tesla, is accused of claiming to meet responsible sourcing standards while still sourcing from North Mara Gold mine (Mara region), which has been linked to human rights and environmental violations (Ref. R9).

Challenges also persist in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. Health and safety remain a critical issue. The safety of miners is seriously undermined by the lack of protective equipment on mining sites (Ref. R10, R11). Such accidents prove that awareness-raising on work safety is necessary. The government recently mandated the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) to implement training programs for small-scale miners in mining regions (Ref. R12).

The use of protective equipment is also intrinsically linked to the miners’ capacity to access capital. Small-scale miners continue to struggle to access formal loans as they often do not meet criteria of creditworthiness (Ref. R13). By providing access to a formal and regulated market, mineral trading centres should ease financing procedures and increase miners’ revenues (Ref. R14, R15). For its part, the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA) works towards higher income for female miners. The recently-obtained licence to conduct mineral value-addition activities should greatly help in this pursuit (Ref. R16).

Environmental issues remain, both in the industrial and small-scale mining sectors. Sand mining has been triggering environmental hazards along the Tegeta River in Dar es Salaam (Ref. R17). The recent gold boom, favoured by the Covid-19 pandemic (Ref. R18), exacerbated the risks linked to mercury use and pollution by the sector (Ref. R19, R20). However, risk mitigation strategies such as waste management are possible and should be encouraged (Ref. R21).

Read more : all references on Resource Extraction

 

Agriculture

Agriculture remains one of Tanzania’s economic pillars. In July 2020, the World Bank affirmed that the sector could elevate the country’s status to an Upper Middle-Income Country (Ref. A1).

The coronavirus outbreak negatively affected crop prices of main export products such as coffee, cotton, tea, cashew nuts and tobacco. Due to border closures and lockdown measures, products were sold to foreign buyers at decreased prices of 50 per cent or less (Ref. A2). While there are no immediate concerns for food security (Ref. A3), the government, through various initiatives, tries to modernise the sector and increase its productivity and economic growth. (Ref. A4, A5).  However, upcoming developments efforts in the sector must take into consideration the often complex and diverse local contexts in which agriculture takes place. One example is the fragile co-existence of pastoralists and farmers in Tanzania. The destruction of crops by grazing livestock often raises conflicts between herders and farmers. Local authorities can become key actors in mediating sustainable solutions (Ref. A6).

Support towards the agriculture sector could also contribute to the empowerment of under-represented groups. The Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has, for instance, pledged to allocate dedicated land to pastoralists and farmers in all district councils in Morogoro Region (Ref. A7). The government recognises the importance of pastoralism and thus, the need for pastoralists to access grazing land (Ref. A8). Women also play a key role in ending hunger and poverty and should therefore be supported in their access to land and services (Ref. A9).

Finally, the sector is trying to limit its environmental footprint and increase its sustainability. To achieve this, new initiatives are much welcomed, such as the government’s advice against the use of poisonous chemicals for maize preservation (Ref. A10), or eco-friendly agribusiness projects such as the non-profit “Climate resilient agriculture for tomorrow” (CRAFT) project (Ref. A11).

Read more : all references on Agriculture

 

Tourism

The tourism industry constitutes a key sector for Tanzania’s economic growth. It contributes about 17.2% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and is a significant source of employment (Ref. T1). Despite some recent improvements linked to the revival of tourism in Zanzibar over the summer, (Ref. T2, T3), the Covid-19 pandemic had disastrous impacts on tourism in Tanzania.

To attract tourists back, Tanzania emphasises the richness of its fauna and flora (Ref. T4). The country also encourages tourism-oriented investments in National Parks, such as the new Burigi-Chato National Park which was inaugurated in September 2020 (Ref.T5). Tanzania also continues its efforts against poaching to protect its wildlife / ecosystems and its touristic assets. The government affirmed that elephant poaching declined by 80 percent during the past five years. This is a milestone achievement, with elephant species in Tarangire, Serengeti, Selous and Ruaha wildlife areas notably increasing (Ref. T6).

However, investing in conservation and tourism can create tensions with other local economic activities (Ref. T7), such as fishing, animal husbandry and agriculture. These activities, when located on reserved lands, are prohibited by the Tanzania Forest Act 2002 (article 26) and the Wildlife Conservation Act 2009 (article 20). Land conflicts are often the result. In the Burunge Wildlife Management Area, Babati District (Manyara region), a committee comprising members of the government and reserve representatives has been created to address the tensions between investors and villagers (Ref. T7). The government is pursuing its efforts to solve land conflicts by encouraging the preparation of land use plans, public consultations and other measures ensuring security of land tenure (Ref. T8).  Moreover, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism recently launched a Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Strategy (2020-2024), which aims to minimise conflicts near protected areas and ensure rapid response when incidents occur (Ref. T9). In Mawindi village, adjacent to Ruaha National Park (Iringa region), inhabitants believe that wildlife conservation education could help enhance animal protection and reduce the challenges linked human-wildlife co-existence (Ref. T10).

Read more : all references on Tourism

Infrastructure

During his first term as president, President Magufuli stimulated the implementation of several mega infrastructure projects, such as the Dar es Salaam – Isaka Standard Gauge Railway (Ref. I1, I2). Large investments were also directed towards roads and bridges (Ref. I3). In September 2020, President Magufuli detailed his motivation towards infrastructure during a pre-election campaign meeting. He declared: “If you want to grow economically, you first invest in infrastructure that will stimulate growth” (Ref. I4).

Although new infrastructure construction projects are often aimed at modernising the country and bringing positive development, they can also cause adverse human rights and environmental impacts, if not properly assessed. One project that received (inter-)national attention recently is the implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. Once completed, the EACOP will be the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world and will connect oil deposits near Lake Albert (Uganda) to Tanga port (Tanzania). The engagement of the oil company Total on 13 September 2020 marks a turning point in the fulfilment of the project (Ref. I5, I6). Despite employment and socio-economic benefits, the EACOP project raises a number of human rights and environmental concerns along its trajectory (Ref. I7, I8). While the EACOP implementers did comply with the legal requirements of analysing and mitigating risks through an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), community-based consultations led Oxfam and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) highlight several shortcomings of existing plans (Ref. I9, I10). Research into the impact on agro-pastoral communities in Kiteto district (Manyara region) also strongly advocates for more tailored mitigation plans that take into account the specific local context of diverse rural communities in Tanzania (Ref. E3). On its part, Total declared taking the recommendations proposed into consideration (Ref. I11).

Read more : all references on Infrastructure

Reading list

References “Editorial”

E1: National Baseline Assessment (NBA) of current implementation of business and human rights frameworks in the United Republic of Tanzania | CHRAGG, DIHR & SOMO | November 2017

The Human Rights Action Plan (2013-2017) of the Tanzanian Government tasked the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) with developing a National Baseline Study on Business and Human Rights (NBA) and to support the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights. The NBA provides a comprehensive account of the status of protection of human rights with regard to business activities in Tanzania. The NBA examines the steps that the Government has taken to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) – in particular Pillar I: the State duty to protect, and Pillar III: access to remedy. The NBA outlines the strengths and weaknesses in the Government’s approach to business and human rights and makes recommendations to address any gaps identified. Link to full report in English:  https://globalnaps.org/country/tanzania/

E2: Report on the Second Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Business and Human Rights in Tanzania | BHRT, CHRAGG & IPIS | 18.03.2020

This report presents a summary of the outcomes of the Second Multi-stakeholder Conference on Business and Human Rights in Tanzania which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on the 18th of March 2020, at Seascape Hotel. https://ipisresearch.be//publication/report-on-the-second-multi-stakeholder-conference-on-business-and-human-rights-in-tanzania/

E3 : Voices from Tanzania vol.3. Human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. Study 1: Impact of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) on Human Rights and Environment of Agro-Pastoral Communities in Kiteto District, Manyara, Tanzania | Pilot Light Development Organization | 03.2021

In Kiteto District, EACOP will cover 113 km and will affect the 7 villages of Mutikira, Ndorkon, Ndaleta, Orpopong’i, Kimana, Amei, and Loolera. Four of these villages – Ndorkon, Amei, Orpopong’i and Loolera – are the focus of this study. Pastoral/agro-pastoral communities are indigenous to the area, and depend on land and natural resources for sustainable livelihoods.  For over 40 years, the communities have experienced a loss of these crucial assets, particularly land, to investment schemes and climate change, thus putting at risk their right to a quality life. EACOP will potentially increase pressure on depleted resources and coping strategies of the pastoralists, thus increasing the threat to basic rights of pastoral communities to quality livelihoods. Hence, EACOP challenges to human and environmental rights need to be assessed. https://ipisresearch.be//home/capacity-enhancement/voices-from-the-south/voices-from-tanzania/

E4 : Voices from Tanzania vol.3. Human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. Study 2: Business and Human Rights Footprint in the Construction of Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project in Ngara District – NW Tanzania | Governance Links Tanzania | 03.2021

The overall objective of this study is to assess how the Tanzania section of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project is complying with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and specifically the requirement of human rights due diligence. Overall, the project’s human rights footprint was most significant on economic rights of communities, particularly related to land rights and livelihood opportunities. These impacts were overall well mitigated by the project and affected people considered the compensations received as sufficient. While the project was found to positively contribute to employment and business opportunities, negative footprints on health and environment seem insufficiently addressed. https://ipisresearch.be//home/capacity-enhancement/voices-from-the-south/voices-from-tanzania/

E5 : Voices from Tanzania vol.3. Human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. Study 3: The impact of large-infrastructure projects on Business and Human Rights: case of energy supply in Mwanza rural communities, Tanzania | Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture | 03.2021   

This study assesses the impact of businesses implementing power supply infrastructures in two rural districts of Mwanza region, Tanzania (Misungwi and Kwimba Districts). It specifically addresses the impact of the rural energy supply project on the human rights of communities in Fella and Mapilinga villages, in Misungwi district, and Shilanona and Isagala villages, in Kwimba district. As data on human rights due diligence of infrastructure projects in Tanzania is limited, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of this topic, in order to raise voices for immediate action. https://ipisresearch.be//home/capacity-enhancement/voices-from-the-south/voices-from-tanzania/

E6 : Voices from Tanzania vol.3. Human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. Study 4: Human rights and citizen participation in the Tanzania Strategic Cities Project: case studies from Arusha and Dodoma | Foundation for Environmental Management and Campaign against Poverty | 03.2021

The “Tanzania Strategic Cities Project” (TSCP) is a large-scale infrastructure development project funded by the World Bank (WB) and implemented by the Government of Tanzania. The TSCP aimed at improving infrastructure and urban services in eight fast growing cities in Tanzania, which included Dodoma and Arusha. The findings show it is important to create awareness in the communities to understand their basic human rights and how to defend and preserve these rights. The study concludes that citizen participation and human rights protection are key aspects in any infrastructure investment project. https://ipisresearch.be//home/capacity-enhancement/voices-from-the-south/voices-from-tanzania/

E7 : Voices from Tanzania vol.3. Human rights impact of large-scale infrastructure projects. Study 5: Large-scale Infrastructure Projects in Tanzania and their Impacts on Human Rights: Case of the Dar es Salaam-Moshi Railway Renovation Project in Mwanga and Moshi Urban Districts, Kilimanjaro Region | Action for Justice in Society | 03.2021

The revival of the Dar es Salaam-Moshi railway is one of the large-scale infrastructure projects that has recently been carried out in Tanzania. Like similar projects potential negative implications for human rights are possible, affecting amongst others workers’ rights, the right to safe living and healthy conditions, environmental rights, and gender-related rights. The study’s findings indicate that few human rights violations were reported in the renovation of the old railway. Some of the issues that were found include violation of labor rights such as poor working conditions, low wages and long working hours; occurrence of accidents that led to death and injuries of people and livestock; soil erosion; outbreak of communicable and sexual transmitted diseases and matrimonial conflicts such as marriage breakdowns and child pregnancies. The project brought also positive effects, mainly in the form of economic and employment benefits. https://ipisresearch.be//home/capacity-enhancement/voices-from-the-south/voices-from-tanzania/

E8 : Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework | Office of the High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) | 2011

This is the United Nations (UN) framework that indicates the roles and responsibilities of governments and businesses with regard to preventing and addressing corporate human rights harms. It is based around three pillars: (Pillar I) The state duty to protect human rights; (Pillar II) The corporate responsibility to respect human rights; (Pillar III) The access to remedy. The UN Guiding Principles (UNGP) are internationally agreed principles; however, they are voluntary principles and are not legally binding.  https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf

E9 :  Human rights due diligence refers to all the necessary steps to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for negative human rights impacts related to an activity. See e.g. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/CorporateHRDueDiligence.aspx#:~:text=Human%20rights%20due%20diligence%20is,with%20which%20they%20are%20involved.&text=The%20prevention%20of%20adverse%20impacts,people%2C%20not%20risks%20to%20business.

E10 : Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence: building out the key components of effective legislation – Forum on Business and Human Rights 2020| UN TV | 17.11.20

A growing number of states, particularly in Europe, are actively considering mandatory measures to advance business respect for human rights. In France, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, the UK, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, for example, we see governments adopting or exploring mandatory measures as part of a ‘smart mix’ of policy tools to incentivize business respect for human rights. We are also seeing enhanced use of customs controls to tackle human rights risks in global value chains, in the US with respect to forced labor and at the EU level on conflict minerals. Many of these actual and proposed measures go beyond reporting obligations to encompass comprehensive human rights due diligence and even include advances in judicial access to remedy for victims. Such measures are beginning to receive support from an increasingly diverse cross-section of businesses and investors, as well as from civil society

http://webtv.un.org/search/mandatory-human-rights-due-diligence-forum-on-business-and-human-rights-2020/6210362214001/?term=&lan=english&cat=Meetings%2FEvents&page=2

E11 : EU Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence law takes shape | Herbert Smith Freehills | 25.09.20

Earlier this year we reported on a European Commission proposal to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence legislation for the EU.  The European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs has now published a draft report which includes the text of a proposed Directive, giving a sense of the shape a final legislative instrument could take.

https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/latest-thinking/eu-mandatory-human-rights-due-diligence-law-takes-shape

References “Resource extraction”

R1: Tanzanians Now Get Fair Share of Mineral Resources | Daily News | 13.07.20
Dissolving the 11th sitting of Parliament, President John Magufuli said the mining sector had undergone major reforms in the past five years of his administration, including the formation of the Ministry of Minerals, control mineral smuggling and export of raw minerals. He said the law had enabled Tanzanians for the first time to own their resources through legal powers. “It has also facilitated the establishment of Twiga Minerals Company whereby the government owns 16 per cent shares while Barrick owns 84 per cent.” https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-07-135f0becd106ba7.aspx


R2:
The Fifth Phase Tanzanian Government and Mining Sector Reforms – What It Means for National Development Tanzania | Daily News | 16.09.20

Mining sector reforms in Tanzania, just like elsewhere in the world, relate to the whole of natural resources governance. According to the OECD (2011) task force natural resources report, both renewable and non-renewable, as well as ecosystem services are part of the real wealth of nations such that they uniquely form the natural capital out of which other forms of capital are made. In view of this assertion, natural resources contribute towards fiscal revenue, income, and poverty reduction across nations. Even more importantly, we have equally noted that sectors related to natural resources use provide jobs and are often the basis of livelihoods in poorer communities.  https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-155f60ccd11e2c3.aspx

R3: Landmark mining deal sets template | Daily News | 13.07.20

Establishment of a joint venture mining firm, Twiga Minerals Corporation Limited, makes the government, for the first time in the country’s independence history, to have legal secured interests and open new era of productive partnership in the mining industry. This follows some remarkable successful negotiation and subsequent signing of landmark agreement between the government of United Republic of Tanzania and the Barrick Gold Corporation, the second largest gold mining company in the world, with its headquarter in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The negotiation could not only lead to the formation of the mining firm ,but also to payment of 250bn/-as compensation paid by Barrick Corporation out of 300US dollars the compensation agreed to pay to settle all outstanding tax and other disputes.
https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-07-135f0bf233acbde.aspx

R4: Geita Gold Mining Limited Signs 9.2-billion Deal for Geita 2020 Plan | Daily News | 13.08.20

Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML), Geita Town and Geita District Council yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 9.2bn/- that the goldmine sourced from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the areas’ 2020 development plan. Signing the deal, the GGML’s committed its responsibility to community in relation to the government stipulation and compliance to Mining Law section 105 amendments that provides that an investor must observe. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-135f34e8e49cc30.aspx

R5: Geita Gold Mine Limited keen on local content compliance | Daily News | 24.09.20

Geita Gold Mine Ltd. has issued a 90-day ultimatum all foreign companies that supply it with goods and services to comply with the local content regulations or lose the lucrative business. The mining company, the country’s largest gold producer in the country, issued the ultimatum in its resolve to ensure 81 percent of its goods and services are procured from within the country by December, this year. GGML spends a total of 449million US dollars (over 1.04trn/) annually on goods and services, however, a chunk of the monies ends up in foreign owned companies, thus limiting the company’s effectiveness in complying with local content law. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-245f6c36a405c9e.aspx

R6: Killings and assaults at Petra Diamonds’ Tanzanian mine undercuts ‘ethical’ claims | RAID | 12.11.20

Petra Diamonds’ claim that its gems are ‘ethical’ are seriously undermined by accounts of killings and brutal assaults of local residents at its Williamson Mine in northern Tanzania, UK corporate watchdog RAID said today. Petra Diamonds is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE4Good Index, which is intended for companies that demonstrate robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures. https://www.raid-uk.org/blog/killings-and-assaults-petra-diamonds-tanzanian-mine-undercuts-ethical-claims

R7: Claim is filed over alleged human rights abuses at Tanzanian diamond mine | Leigh Day | 09.09.20

A claim has been filed in the high court on behalf of more than 30 Tanzanian nationals who allege human rights abuses at the Williamson diamond mine, owned by British company Petra Diamonds Limited, in Tanzania. The claimants are represented by Leigh Day’s International Department, who have written to Petra Diamonds to detail the allegations which involve security guards employed to protect the diamonds on the mine from local people. The claimants allege that they suffered serious injuries as a result of the mistreatment, including broken bones and serious head injuries, and some continue to be impacted by ongoing injuries. The claim was reported in the mining trade press with an assurance from Petra Diamonds Limited (PDL) that the company takes the allegations seriously and has launched an investigation through a specialist third party. https://www.leighday.co.uk/News/Press-releases-2020/September-2020/Claim-is-filed-over-alleged-human-rights-abuses-at

R8: Statement regarding allegations of human rights abuses at the Williamson Mine in Tanzania | Petra Diamonds | 09.09.20

Petra takes these allegations extremely seriously. WDL, as the operator of the mine and owner of the mining concession, is carrying out an investigation, as fully and timeously as possible given the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by an independent, specialist consultant. Petra is initiating its own independent investigation, through a separate specialist third party, reporting to the Petra Board. Responses will be provided to the claimants’ lawyers in accordance with the relevant pre-action procedures of the English court, as well as to RAID.  https://www.petradiamonds.com/wp-content/uploads/20-09-09-Statement-on-Leigh-Day-allegations-FINAL.pdf

R9: Gold trade body urged to suspend refinery over alleged abuses in Tanzania | The Guardian | 13.07.20

MMTC-PAMP, a supplier to Apple and others, accused of not fully investigating alleged violations. A corporate watchdog is calling for the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) to suspend the membership of one of the world’s biggest gold refineries for its alleged failure to act over claims of human rights and environmental abuses at a mine in Tanzania. The UK-based Raid group says the Swiss-Indian venture MMTC-PAMP, which supplies gold to Apple, Nokia, Disney, Amazon, Tesla and others, has not fully investigated claims police guarding the North Mara mine have beaten, shot and sometimes killed locals. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/13/gold-trade-body-urged-to-suspend-refinery-over-alleged-abuses-in-tanzania

R10: Artisanal miner killed in Shinyanga mine accident | The Guardian | 21.07.20

A resident of Masungura village in Meatu district, Simiyu Michael Salum (30), has died after being crushed by a stone on his head while mining gold in a circle at Mwakitolyo Mining, Shinyanga district. Shinyanga Regional Mining Officer, Joseph Kumburu, speaking recently to Mwakitolyo small-scale miners, said the incident happened on July 17, this year and that the accident took place at small-scale miners’ nursery number 5. Kumburu said the accident happened around 6:00 pm noon when more than five miners were leaving the circle after completing the work. Kumburu said, according to health expert who was investigating the matter, the man burst his head and fell to death after falling 20 meters by slipping and a stone falling to his head.https://www.ippmedia.com/en/news/artisanal-miner-killed-shinyanga-mine-accident

R11: Two dead in western Tanzania’s mine accident | CGTN Africa | 26.07.20
At least two miners have been killed from suffocation in a 21.5-meter-deep gold mine in Tanzania’s western highland region of Rukwa, police said on Saturday. Ralph Meela, the acting Rukwa regional police commander, said the duo died when they tried to pump out water from the mine at Kalundi village in Nkasi district in Rukwa region. He said a rescue mission by the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force proved fruitless because it could not reach the miners who were 21.5 meters deep. https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/07/26/two-dead-in-western-tanzanias-mine-accident/

R12: OSHA required to implement safety training for miners | Majira Newspaper | 29.09.20

The government has instructed the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) to develop and implement a special safety and health training program for small-scale miners in all regions of the country with mining activities to reduce accidents and work-related diseases associated with mining activities being as an important sector for the economy. The order was issued by the Minister of Mines, Doto Biteko when he visited the OSHA pavilion at the third exhibition of dying mining technology in Geita region.

R13: Miners explain reasons for loans | Nipashe News | 24.09.20

Small scale miners in Mbeya region are compelled to take loans from private individuals to carry out their operations following rejection by formal loan institutions on grounds that they have no criteria for creditworthiness. This was spoken during the launch of the mining equipment loan training to small, medium and large miners from Mbeya and Songwe regions organized by NMB Bank. One of the miners, Aidan Msigwa, a small-scale gold miner from Chunya District, said even with private lenders their interest is high, but they are not as strict as banks.

R14: Government: Mineral centres ease loan issuance terms to small miners | The Citizen Newspaper | 25.09.20

Geita. The government said yesterday that its mineral centres were meant to speed up loan provisions to artisanal miners, calling on the beneficiaries to open bank accounts. Speaking at the Investment and Business Opportunity Forum, which was held on the side lines of the ongoing Geita Mining and Technology Exhibition, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Pro Simon Msanjila, said through the mineral centres, artisanal miners sell minerals openly.

R15: Tanzania: Mineral Centre Set Up at Nanyumbu | Daily News | 23.08.20

The Ministry of Minerals has set up a mineral trading centre at Nanyumbu District, Mtwara Region, to give small scale miners in the area a formal and regulated market to trade their gold and other precious minerals. “The main aim of establishing this trading centre is to ensure that artisanal and small-scale miners benefit from the minerals, by curbing smuggling of gold and other minerals,” he said, noting that the move will also help in cracking down tax evasion and enable the government to collect more levies. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-225f414b5d17f1b.aspx

R16: Women miners secured key license | The Citizen Newspaper | 20.07.20

Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA) has secured a license from the Tanzania Mining Commission to carry out value-addition to minerals especially gemstones and other precious metals such as gold and silver, a move that would enable women to earn more income. Prior to the authorization, the association, which is the heart of networking for all women miners in the country, had been selling raw minerals abroad, something that denied them sufficient income. Following the issuance of the license, TAWOMA is currently manufacturing products such as engagement, wedding rings and precious gemstones jewelleries and are sell them to the domestic and foreign markets. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/-women-miners-secure-key-licence-2712968

R17. Tanzania: Government Orders Tpdf Officers to Stop Sand Mining Along Tegeta River | The Citizen | 04.08.20

The government has on Tuesday ordered the Tanzania People Defense Forces (TPDF) officers to stop sand mining activities along Tegeta River after residents of Kisanga B, Tegeta filed a complaint that the army officers were extracting sand from the riverbed, something that was deemed as an environmental hazard. According to residents the ongoing sand mining activity was bound to disturb the river water flow and put their lives and properties in danger during rainy days. “During rainy days some of us living along the river, become victims of the floods. The ongoing sand mining at the riverbed will make things even worse for us. We are appealing to the government to stop the exercise for the sake of our lives,” one of the residents who preferred anonymity. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/1840340-5603800-beimhb/index.html

R18. Tanzania: Gold Beats Tourism to Become Tanzania’s Leading Foreign Exchange Earner | The Citizen | 09.07.20

Gold is now Tanzania’s leading foreign exchange earner after overtaking tourism which has been hit by the Covid-19 global pandemic. A new report by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) says that gold exports increased by 46.8 percent – to $2.5 billion – in the year to May, while tourism earnings slowed from $2.5 billion to $2.3 billion in the same period. The increase in gold exports was attributed to increases in both production volume and price. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/1840340-5590442-b0wksn/index.html

R19. Tanzania: Govt Warns Illegal Mercury Importers | Tanzania Daily News | 21.09.20
The government has threatened to take to task mercury importers, who dangerously engage in running the illegal trade, and instead called upon them to immediately register their business. the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA), the government hasn’t banned the importation and use of the toxic substance, importers and dishonest traders are in the business using backdoors to import and distribute mercury, especially to artisanal and small-scale miners. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-215f689184a48a2.aspx

R20. Tanzania: Three Mining Firms Sued for Environmental Pollution | Tanzania Daily News | 19.10.20

Mwanza-based mining company, Bismark Hotel Mining Company Limited, has sued three giant gold mining companies, demanding $47.2m (about 108bn/-) compensation for allegedly environmental pollution caused by illegal artisanal miners in Geita Region. The three mining companies, which have already lost an application for over 3.3bn/- as security for costs in a compensation suit pending before the High Court in Dar es Salaam, are Pangea Minerals Limited, Acacia Mining PLC and Barrick Gold Corporation. In a recent ruling delivered by Judge Yose Mlyambina, the three mining companies, as defendants, had sought for orders requiring, among other things, Bismark Hotel Mining Company Limited to deposit in court as security of costs $1,416,000 before the determination of the suit. Defence counsel had submitted that Bismark Hotel Mining Company Limited, the plaintiff in the suit, might not be able to settle the costs of clients in a civil case No 165 of 2019. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-10-195f8d4978c359e.aspx

R21. Tanzania: Gold Mine in Songwe Commended for Protecting Environment | Daily News | 13.08.20

In a rare government endorsement, Deputy Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office, (Union and Environment), Mr Musa Sima, congratulated Shanta Mining Company on good management of toxic waste by building a high-quality storage facility in rural Tanzania. “I congrtulate you on putting in place this facility that will ensure the environment is not contaminated by toxic waste from the mine,” the minister said, adding that the facility was built based on requirements detailed in the Environmental Management Act (EMA). He called on other investors to do the same. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-125f33e7fd3f713.aspx

References “Agriculture”

A1: Tanzania Banks on Agriculture to Achieve Upper Middle-Income Status | Daily News | 06.08.20

Agriculture has what it takes to boost Tanzania’s economic growth and elevate the country’s status to an Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC), a senior government official has said.
On July 1, 2020, the World Bank elevated Tanzania from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC). The World Bank put Tanzania’s per capita Gross National Income (GNI) at $1,080 as of last year. To reach the UMIC status, Tanzania needs to attain a GNI per capita of between $3,956 and $12,235. But speaking here during a recent meeting, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof Siza Tumbo, said a sound implementation of the Agriculture Sector Development Programme II (ASDP II), would boost Tanzania’s economic growth and put the country on the right footing to achieving the HMIC status aspirations. He was speaking at a field tour to inspect the progress of Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (Piata) supported projects (popularly known as Piata-Tija or solution-based agriculture) in Rukwa and Katavi regions. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/tanzania-banks-on-agriculture-to-achieve-upper-middle-income-status-2713962

A2: Covid-19 negatively affected crop prices -Majaliwa | Daily News | 30.09.2020
The Coronavirus pandemic negatively affected crops’ prices as most foreign private buyers were under lockdown, members of Central Committee of the ruling part Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Kassim Majaliwa has disclosed. Addressing a public rally at Uhuru Stadium in Bukoba Municipal Council, Majaliwa said the Covid-19 affected almost all crops, including coffee, cotton, tea, cashew nuts and tobacco”. While a kg of cashew nuts was sold at 3,000 TZS before the pandemic, the price dropped from 1200 to 850 TZS he said”. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-295f73563acd4a5.aspx

A3: Tanzania Government Allays Food Security Fears Amid Rising Prices | The Citizen | 08.12.20
Rising global food prices will have no impact on Tanzania’s food security, a senior government official assured yesterday – thereby trashing reports that the country could face extra pressure on its food security situation. The permanent secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gelard Kusaya, told The Citizen yesterday that the country’s food security situation was intact and that there had never been a shortage of any kind. “As a country we have enough food and we have never depended on any foreign assistance when it comes to feeding our people,” he said.  https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/tanzania-government-allays-food-security-fears-amid-rising-prices-3222372

A4: Government Disburses over 1 Billion Tanzanian Shillings for Palm Oil Production | Tanzania Daily News | 28.09.20

Palm oil producers in the country may now have a reason to smile after the government’s decision to disburse about 1.4bn/- to Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) as budget support to increase production. Among other things, the money is also intended to support the state- owned institution to research and produce enough palm oil seedlings to farmers and inculcate in extension officers and farmers agronomic skills to cultivate the cash crop professionally. Ever since the government decided to embark on large-scale production of palm oil in the country to increase crude oil production, TARI was tasked to research, produce and distribute the key crop’s seedlings to farmers, with TARI- Kihinga and TARI- Ilonga centres picked to coordinate it. The fund is chiefly for research and production of sufficient palm oil seedlings to farmers, as well as imparting extension officers and farmers with needed agronomic practices to cultivate the cash crop professionally. https://oglinks.news/tanzania/news/govt-disburses-over-1bn-for-palm-oil-production

A5: Dr Mwinyi Promises Reforms in Fishing Sector | Tanzania Daily News | 18.09.20

The ruling CCM’s Zanzibar presidential candidate, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has pledged policy and legal reforms that would attract big investments in the fishing sub-sector and support small scale players. “We aspire to introduce laws, policies and regulation to entice serious investors in the fishing industry to work with you,” Dr Mwinyi told Pemba-based small-scale fishermen, fish and seaweed farmers at ChakeChake’s Wesha suburb. He said despite the huge endowment of marine resources, fishermen in Pemba remain poor due to reliance on outdated fishing gears. “You indeed need modern tools and reliable markets for your catches,” the presidential aspirant told leaders of fishing, fish and seaweed farming groups from all regions of Pemba. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-185f643c9456080.aspx

A6: Urambo District leaders urged to hold farmers -herders’ reconciliation talks | The Guardian Newspaper | 26.08.20

Urambo District Authorities have been urged to handle talks for reconciliation to resolve the conflicts whereby they attempt to seize their cattle for eating their crops. The instruction was given by Tabora Regional Commissioner Dr Philemon Sengati at a public meeting with Kalemela, a village in Muungano Ward, Urambo District, during his inspection visit. He said Shokolo and Swila pastoralist communities have accepted to resolve the conflict pitting them with farmers through reconciliation and are ready to pay compensation for the loss of crops and harm inflicted to them. Dr Sengati said since herders have agreed to meet it would be better if the opportunity is used for compromise and have a permanent solution in which the two sides would respect each other. Dr Sengati called on the pastoralists to stop the habit of grazing animals in villagers’ farms or beating them up and added that any herders who will deliberately harm farmers, he will not hesitate taking stern measures against them including removing them from the area.

A7: Chama cha Mapinduzi to Allocate Land to Farmers, Pastoralists | Daily News | 04.09.20

The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has pledged to allocate special land to pastoralists and farmers in all district councils in Morogoro Region if given a chance to lead the nation for the next five years. The party’s presidential running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan said that the government is committed to develop livestock and agriculture sectors in the region by strengthening extension services at ward and village levels to allow the groups have access to the services without limitations. “If elected in the October election, the government will execute its plan of allocating special land for livestock and farming activities … these areas will be surveyed and grant ownership to pastoralists and farmers,” she noted. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-035f512eea7927e.aspx

A8: Government announced favours to pastoralists | HabariLeo | 25.09.20

The government said it has started putting procedures for distribution of undeveloped forest to pastoralists so that they have access to grazing land. This was stated by a Member of the ruling party (CCM) who is also the Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa at Misungwi District in Mwanza Region. Majaliwa said the government recognizes the importance of pastoralists in the country, that’s why even the ministry that has been dealing with them now has become a full-fledged independent Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries from the former Ministry of Agriculture.

A9: Oxfam Reiterates Support to Women Farmers | Daily News | 07.08.20

Oxfam Tanzania has expressed its commitment to support local farmers, especially women in its quest to help end hunger and poverty in the country. According to Oxfam, agriculture is more likely to provide diverse opportunities for empowering women compared to other sectors. However, women farmers say they are being held back by barriers that prevent them from feeding their families and investing in their livelihoods. “It is a fact that women do not receive the same support as male farmers do; they have less access to land, loans and machinery, but are also heavily involved in domestic chores, including caring, cooking and cleaning, which remains hidden economically,” said Francis Odokorach, Oxfam Country Director. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-075f2d1bd79a9a4.aspx

A10: Maize producers in Mbeya warned over use of poisonous chemicals | The Citizen | 08.07.20

Mbozi — The government has warned maize producers against the use of poisonous chemicals for grain preservation in order to protect the health of consumers and build confidence among international buyers. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/business/Maize-producers-in-Mbeya-warned-over-use-of-poisonous-chemicals/1840414-5590132-u97svx/index.html

A11: Over 6,000 farmers to be benefit from agribusiness project | Daily News | 24.09.20

Climate resilient agriculture for tomorrow (CRAFT) aims at promoting climate smart agriculture for more productivity and to help farmers increase income. Through its Climate Innovation and Investment Facility (CIIF) aims to leverage co-investments from private sector actors while promoting climate-smart solutions and innovations in targeted agricultural value chains. CRAFT is partnering with Rogimwa Agro-Company Limited based in Mbeya Region. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-245f6c3b656305c.aspx

References “Tourism”

 

T1: Tourism Sector Financing Enhances Contribution to Economic Growth | Daily News | 01.09.2020

Tourism contributes about 17.2 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and 25 per cent of all foreign exchange revenues and provides direct employment for more than 600,000 people.  https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-015f4e345c90092.aspx

T2: Tanzania’s tourism sector rebounds as virus fears wane | Anadolou Agency | 15.08.20
Coronavirus outbreak has decimated country’s forex earner as number of tourists sharply dwindled since March. Hordes of tourists are flocking to Tanzania as fears over the coronavirus pandemic are rapidly fading, raising hopes for the country’s hardest-hit tourism sector, which is emerging from the ravages of the deadly pathogen. Despite a perceived lack of transparency over the extent of COVID-19 infections in Tanzania, foreign tourists have not been deterred from visiting the country and catching a glimpse of its breath-taking attractions. The East African country reported 509 COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths in late April, when authorities stopped publishing the pandemic’s tally after they questioned the effectiveness of Chinese-made COVID-19 testing kits, which they suspected were defective, drawing a barrage of criticism from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tanzania-s-tourism-sector-rebounds-as-virus-fears-wane/1942968

T3: Hope as Tourists Trickle to Zanzibar for Holiday | Tanzania Daily News | 18.11.20
Zanzibar’s tourist arrivals more than doubled last month to 12,157 visitors, heightening prospects of achieving at least half of the annual target of over 500,000 holiday makers. Prior to the outbreak of the deadly Corona Virus in March, 2020, Zanzibar had projected to surpass her 2019 record tourist arrivals of 538,264. Unveiling the visitor data for October 2020, Tourism Department Assistant Head in the Office of Chief Government Statistician Zanzibar, Raya Mohammed Mahfoudh said 12,157 tourists visited Zanzibar during the month, a 224 per cent rise from 5,422 visitors in September 2020. The latest monthly arrivals, which bring to 182,922 the total number of visitors for the past 10 months, however compares unfavourably with the 53,023 visitors in the corresponding period last year-October 2019.
https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-11-185fb4d2ca4908a.aspx

T4: Tourism Adapts to Fight Against Virus | The East African | 19.11.20

Tourism captains from the region are facing a daunting task of getting enough clientele to sustain their key attractions until foreign visitors from their main source markets return. In East Africa, tourists come to relax on the pristine white sands of Zanzibar and Diani, while others gather to watch the great migration of the wildebeest from the safari-rich plains of Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The region’s rich flora and fauna has something for everyone looking for adventure or relaxation. But for much of the year, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were hardly any safari vehicles driving through the endless plains searching for a glimpse of wildlife.  https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/tourism-adapts-to-fight-against-virus-3203544

T5: Kagera Regional Commissioner Invites Investors at Burigi-Chato National Park | Daily News | 04.09.20

Previously a game reserve, the newly inaugurated national park is home to a wide collection of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, chimpanzees and gorillas. But being the newly established National Park, there is a lot of potential in terms of tourism value chain. Opportunities for hotels and accommodation, souvenir shops and transport and transportation are open for taking. It is against this backdrop, the Kagera Regional Commissioner, Brig Gen Marco Gaguti, led a 30-member business delegation to a tour of the park last month. The trip had twin-objectives of promoting investment opportunities at the park and boosting domestic tourism to encourage Tanzanians enjoy and appreciate the attractions that make their country a leading tourist destination. He called on the business community to take advantage of immense investment opportunities in the park which with more than 2,200 square kilometer, it ranks the third after Ruaha and Serengeti national parks, number one and two respectively in terms of the size. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-09-035f5101d97b76f.aspx

T6: Milestone as Poaching Falls By 80% | The Citizen | 31.07.20

Elephant poaching has gone down by 80 percent during the past five years, a government official said on Wednesday. “Since the 2015/16 financial year, the ecosystem of elephant species in Tarangire, Serengeti, Selous and Ruaha wildlife areas has drastically increased” – thereby fueling hope for sustainability of the tourism business, Mr Mande said. During the past five years, the Wildlife Division identified 3,000 suspected poachers countrywide, about 2,000 of whom have been arrested. Also, 11 major ivory dealing syndicates were disbanded, including the infamous ‘Queen of Ivory’ syndicate.  Mr Katonya further said that forest invasion has contributed to illegal harvesting of, and trafficking in, logs in the country.”Most such illegal activities are conducted in the regions of Tabora, Katavi, Lindi and Tanga, from where the logs are usually exported to China. Tanga is the usually preferred export point for the illegal trade in logs,” he said.
https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/-Milestone-as-poaching-falls-by-80pc/1840340-5602022-po8b8c/index.html

T7: Tanzania: Curb Burunge Land Invasion – Ministry | Daily News | 15.07.20

The Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been directed to oversee best land use practices so as to avoid invasion of areas the Government has designated for tourism activities. Burunge WMA is located in Babati, Manyara Region, along the Arusha-Babati- Singida-Dodoma Highway, about 120 kilometres from the tourist city of Arusha. It comprises nine villages in three administrative wards whose revenue from tourism and conservation is sent back to support the local communities to conduct social and economic development activities. The minister said complaints by investors about encroachment and invasion of the reserved land by people who conduct human activities such as fishing, animal husbandry, agriculture and even building houses must be swiftly and completely addressed. Some investors complained that the WMA was failing the nation by not controlling the areas that are reserved for tourism purposes and that poaching activities were emerging after the government had made great efforts and resources to stop the vice. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-07-155f0ea11f04f8c.aspx

T8: Government Gears Up Land Disputes Settlement Drive | Daily News | 20.08.20

The Fifth Phase Government has made great strides in addressing land disputes in the country through instituting measures that resulted in more than 120,000 conflicts being resolved. Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr William Lukuvi said the measures included preparation of land use plans and embarking on various projects aimed at ensuring security of tenure. Minister Lukuvi added that in dealing with land use disputes, 920 villages out of 975 in protected areas, which had land disputes, were formalized. Mr Lukuvi said the 920 villages were allocated pieces of land after the government annulled 12 protected areas with 707,659.94 acres and seven forest reserves. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-195f3d4e9768fc9.aspx

T9: Strategy Set to Minimize Conflicts | Daily News | 09.10.20

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has launched the Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Strategy 2020-2024, which among other issues aims at minimizing conflicts in wildlife areas. According to the Director of Wildlife in the ministry, Dr Maurus Msuha, the strategy was prepared by a team of experts from the ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders. “This is the first ever strategy to be launched in the country in a bid to minimize conflicts arising between people and wildlife orchestrated by the growing human population,” he said. https://www.habarileo.co.tz/habari/2020-10-095f801f9813c71.aspx

T10: Need for conservation education to curb human-wildlife conflicts | IPP Media | 23.09.20

Villagers surrounding the Ruaha National Park have suggested for the government and stakeholders to continue providing wildlife conservation education to enhance animal protection and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.  https://www.ippmedia.com/en/news/need-conservation-education-curb-human-wildlife-conflicts

References “Infrastructure”

 

I1: Dar-Isaka Railway Project at Final Stages | Tanzania Daily News | 12.10.20

The construction of 300 million US dollars (over 695bn/-) Dar es Salaam- Isaka railway is at final stages as the government bids to upgrade and expand the broader Central Corridor transport network. The government revealed yesterday that about 44 wagons and three locomotives were expected to arrive in the country in December, 2020 and March 2021 respectively. Works, Transport and Communications Minister, Engineer Isack Kamwelwe made the revelation here during the commissioning of one locomotive among the seven locomotives that are being repaired at Morogoro’s state-of-the-art workshop. Eng Kamwelwe said that the ambitious 970 kilometres railway project was being undertaken in two phases and that the first phase from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro (283 kilometres) had been completed and that another 687 kilometres from Kilosa to Isaka was at different implementation stages.  https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-10-125f83e3e359675.aspx

I2: Multiple Benefits of Standard Gauge Railway Project | Tanzania Daily News | 05.11.20

Mega projects bring with them many benefits not only to the country, but also to the public at large. And interestingly, reaping the benefits of such development initiatives does not wait until their completion. With Tanzanian implementing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, a lot of opportunities have been created, and these range from employment, increasing the market for locally made construction materials and several other services offered by local companies. Revelations were made recently that the construction of the SGR project has multi-effects to socio-economic development. According to the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), the ongoing construction of first phase of the SGR from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro has so far poured in 307 million US dollars (707.3bn/-) into Tanzania’s economy through local subcontractors, suppliers as well as service providers. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-11-045fa2e178e579e.aspx

I3: Ministry Rejoices Colossal Infrastructure Investments | Daily News | 06.08.20

Massive investments in road infrastructure under Regional Administration and Local Government have seen road networks being expanded by 52 per cent in the past five years. The Minister of State, President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) Mr Selemani Jafo said in the past five years the government under strong leadership of President John Magufuli accomplished construction of 699 kilometres road network under local government, which is equivalent to an increase of 52 per cent. He said the construction of roads and other infrastructure such as bridges under his ministry has improved rural connectivity and people’s access to essential services. https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2020-08-065f2b9f79bd7c5.aspx

I4: Magufuli Defends Big Infrastructure Projects | The Citizen| 05.09.20

CCM’s presidential candidate John Magufuli yesterday defended his investments in mega projects such as reviving the national airline, and building rail and power infrastructures, saying he was doing to put in place a foundation for a strong economy. “If you want to grow economically, you first invest in infrastructure that will stimulate growth,” said Dr Magufuli, who is seeking re-election for the second five-year term. Such strategies as buying aircraft for the national carrier and construction of the Julius Nyerere power dam in Rufiji came under criticism from opposition and activists. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Magufuli-defends-big-infrastructure-projects/1840340-5619578-w1hbq/index.html

I5: Major Breakthrough Attained in $3.5-billion Tanzania-Uganda Pipeline | The Citizen | 13.08.20

All is set now for the kick-off of the Tanga-Hoima Pipeline, with Tanzania looking to March 2021 for the start of the construction of the $3.5 billion project. This followed Friday’s confirmed agreement between French oil company Total and the Ugandan government over differences which forced the project to stall since 2018. Total is now seeking to conclude a similar host government agreement with Tanzania, whose territory the pipe will traverse, to complete the tendering process for all engineering, procurement and construction contracts, according to the statement. Total is leading plans to build the conduit from Uganda’s oil fields in the west of the country to the Tanzanian port of Tanga along with partner Cnooc Ltd. of China and the two governments. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/-Major-breakthrough-attained-in–3-5bn-Tanzania-Uganda-pipeline/1840340-5622864-i7a1f2z/index.html

I6: Uganda and Tanzania to build East Africa’s first major oil pipeline | 14 September 2020 | The Africa Report.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli, signed a deal on 13 September that will see the two countries build a 1,445km, $3.5bn crude oil pipeline. The deal follows Museveni’s deal with Total, which lays the groundwork for a final investment decision in the coming months, said the French oil giant in a statement published on 11 September. About 80% of the pipeline will go through Tanzania. https://www.theafricareport.com/41547/uganda-and-tanzania-to-build-east-africas-first-major-oil-pipeline/

I7: IPIS Briefing September 2020 – The human rights impact of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline | International Peace Information Service | 08.11.2020

At a time when scientific consensus is clear on the need to abandon fossil fuels in order to limit global warming, the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments have signed final agreements on the construction of the region’s largest crude oil export infrastructure: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). https://ipisresearch.be//weekly-briefing/ipis-briefing-september-2020-the-human-rights-impact-of-the-east-african-crude-oil-pipeline/

I8: An oil pipeline planned in East Africa could cause irreversible damage | Lifegate | 17.09.20
Yale Environment 360 says it has seen an independent quality review of the document by the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), concluding that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report “doesn’t yet provide enough information for sound decision-making”. In Tanzania, the pipeline will bisect the Biharamulo game reserve, which contains one of the world’s last five populations of ashy red colobus monkeys, as well as hippopotamuses, elephants, zebras and, tour companies claim, mountain gorillas. Further east, it will traverse 32 kilometres of the Wembere Steppe, a seasonally flooded grassland known for its bird life.  https://www.lifegate.com/east-african-oil-pipeline

I9: Empty promises down the line? A Human Rights Impact Assessment of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline | September 2020 | Oxfam International

Empty Promises Down the Line? highlights the risks of the EACOP for communities located along the proposed pipeline corridor in Uganda and Tanzania. Researched and produced by Global Rights Alert (GRA), the Civic Response on Environment and Development (CRED), the Northern Coalition for Extractives and Environment (NCEE), and Oxfam, the report seeks to identify and document the actual and potential human rights implications of this major infrastructure project from a community perspective. The report also provides recommendations to the governments and companies involved about how to mitigate the adverse impacts, defend human rights, and promote inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/621045/rr-empty-promises-down-line-101020-en.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

I11: Companies must take action to respect rights of communities at risk in East Africa’s oil frontier | FIDH | 10.09.2020

In research released today alongside Oxfam and partner organizations, FIDH highlighted the major risks of oil projects led by French energy giant Total in Uganda and Tanzania, which would require over 12,000 families to lose land and endanger sensitive and vital ecosystems. Two new community-based human rights impact assessments highlight serious, ongoing challenges and future risks linked to these projects. While independent research pieces, both reports offer community-driven recommendations urging oil companies and governments, who are on the verge of making their final investment decision, to take urgent measures to avoid a human and environmental disaster. https://www.fidh.org/en/region/Africa/uganda/companies-must-take-action-to-respect-rights-of-communities-at-risk

I11: Total reacts to report on rights issues over East African oil pipeline | The Citizen | 13.09.2020

French oil and gas company Total – the main developer of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop) – has said it will consider recommendations proposed in an Oxfam report on the Human Rights Impact Assessment of the oil pipeline. “Total welcomes and agrees with many of Oxfam’s suggestions and recommendations. Again, Total recognizes the value of the community-based approach taken by Oxfam in this assessment as it is complementary to the engagement and consultation with affected communities,” read a part of a statement issued by Total yesterday. “Many of the recommendations proposed by Oxfam in the report are valuable and useful and will be taken as a basis to progress, indeed most are already reflected in the many initiatives being implemented by Total in relation to the project,” said Total in the statement. “One of the key issues faced by the EACOP project and which is a direct cause of many of the issues raised by Oxfam in the context of land acquisition is project delays, not all of which are within the direct control of Total and its partners. Considerable efforts have been made to maintain contact and communicate the situation to affected households, and to ensure that they continue using their land for farming and grazing. Total is committed to continue and reinforce such efforts,” read the Total statement. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/-total-reacts-to-report-on-rights-issues-over-east-african-oil-pipeline-2716126