WHO estimates 10% of the world’s population infected with COVID-19

GENEVA, Switzerland

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that its “best estimates” indicate that roughly one in ten people globally may have been infected with Covid-19.

Relatives at a mass burial of people at the Parque Taruma cemetery in Manaus, Brazil

The comments were made by Dr. Michael Ryan, the head of emergency operations at WHO, on Monday, as he addressed the organization’s 34-member executive board focusing on Covid-19.

Ryan said that the figures vary from urban to rural, and between different groups, but “the vast majority of the world remains at risk”.

“We are now heading into a difficult period as the disease continues to spread,” he warned.

The estimated amount to more than 760 million people based on a current world population of about 7.6 billion — which is twenty times the number of confirmed cases as tallied by both WHO and Johns Hopkins University—now at more than 35 million worldwide.

The assertion was reinforced by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, who later on led a minute of silence to honour the victims of Covid-19 and appreciate the work of frontline workers.

Ryan said Southeast Asia faced a surge in cases while Europe and the eastern Mediterranean were seeing an increase in deaths.

Moreover, he added that the situations in Africa and the Western Pacific were “rather more positive.”

India is currently the country registering the highest number of daily cases globally, with around 60,000 new infections in the past twenty-four hours, two days after crossing 100,000 total fatalities.

Ryan said that the pandemic would continue to evolve, but that tools exist to suppress transmission and save lives.

“Many deaths have been averted and many more lives can be protected,” he said.

Malawi President to visit Tanzania with 'border dispute' agenda?

By Our Correspondent, BLANTYRE Malawi

President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi is expected to pay a three-day state visit to neighbouring Tanzania on Wednesday October 7 after a one-day visit to Mozambique where he met President Filipe Nyusi.

This is his fourth state visit after Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The President, just like during his other trips to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique has not disclosed the agenda of his meeting with President John Magufuli of Tanzania though regional analysists think the border dispute might surface in their meeting.

The border dispute over Lake Nyasa between the two countries has been there for a long time but resurfaced in 2012 when Malawi awarded exclusive oil prospecting licenses in Lake Nyasa to two British oil companies.

Malawi has linked the dispute to possible oil and gas reserves in the lake and claims ownership based on the 1890 Heligoland agreement.

Malawi claims to own the whole lake in its entirety. On the other hand, Tanzania claims that the boundary is the median line of the lake based on principles of customary international law.

Lake Nyasa is home to 1,000 species of fish. It is located at the crossroads of Malawi in the west, Mozambique to the south and Tanzania to its northeast.

A fisherman prepares his boat on Lake Malawi about 100 kilometres east of the capital Lilongwe

With an estimated fish stock of 168,000 tonnes, Lake Nyasa is a source of livelihood for nearly 10 million people.

The dispute is no small matter for Malawi as the lake’s geographical space represents about a third of its entire territory. Malawi argues that its economic life, culture, folklore, and sentiment as a nation are inextricably linked to the lake.

Burundi seeks extradition of rebels from Rwanda

BUJUMBURA, Burundi

Burundi wants 19 combatants who were arrested in Rwanda deported, a demand that could test the fragile relations between the two neighbours.

Nyungwe Forest

Rwanda says the Burundian combatants, who identified themselves as members of the Red Tabara – an armed rebel group – were apprehended in Nyungwe Forest on September 29.

According to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), the incident was reported to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), a regional conflict monitoring team under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), to investigate the occurrence.

On Sunday, Burundi released a statement demanding the extradition of the “group of armed bandits”, claiming the militants use Rwanda as a hiding base to commit crimes in Burundi.

"A group of armed bandits from Rwimbogo sector in Rwanda attacked two households and killed a 30-year-old man in Kayanza Province in Burundi.

"In pursuit by law enforcement, the group retreated to the hill from where they had come from in Rwanda, taking with them seven goats stolen from the attacked households," Burundi said in the statement without revealing when the attack took place.

Burundi now wants Rwanda to “return to Burundi those [suspected] criminals it has apprehended directly, without passing through other mechanisms.”

Bujumbura said it is seeking reciprocity as it has “always done in cases when Rwandan criminals are arrested in Burundi, so that they may be held accountable to justice."

Burundi added: "The government once again condemns this heinous act and welcomes the results of the exchange of information with the Rwandan local security forces, at the request of the Burundian security forces, which have made it possible to locate and track the movements of these criminals in their places of withdrawal."

On Monday, officials from the regional military framework EJVM visited Nyaruguru District in Rwanda, where the group is being detained, and were briefed on the arrest by the RDF area commander, Major Alex Nkuranga.

Rwanda and Burundi have over the years traded accusations related to supporting rebels opposed to their governments.

But in a move aimed at quelling tensions, military officials from both countries met publicly in August, for the first time in five years, to find common ground on the longstanding tensions that have affected security, trade, and movement.

At the meeting, convened by ICGLR, the two countries negotiated a path towards enforcing security at their common border, although no pact was signed.

Following the meeting, Burundian refugees have been voluntarily returning home with the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR saying more are registering to be repatriated after witnessing a return to peace at home.

EAC’s resource dispute resolution treaty up for signing, adoption

By James Anyanzwa, NAIROBI Kenya

East African member states are reviewing the Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources Management to create provisions for combating climate change, e-waste management and peaceful resolution of disputes related to trans-boundary resources such as the contentious Migingo Island.

The Kenyan Marine Police Base on Usingo Island overlooking Migingo Island. EA states are reviewing a protocol for solving shared resources disputes.

The EastAfrican has learnt that the agreement, which is now ready for signing, has clear provisions on reduction of greenhouse emissions, e-waste management and resolution of disputes arising from shared natural resources.

The reviewed protocol provides that any dispute arising from shared resources should be addressed in a peaceful manner by the respective EAC ministers of Environment.

 “This is the approach that Kenya has been pursuing. In terms of whether issues around Migingo Island are covered by the protocol. Yes, they are covered because the treaty recommends peaceful resolution of any dispute and if a dispute were to escalate, it should be addressed by the ministers responsible in the EAC,” Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the State Department of EAC Affairs Kevit Desai told The EastAfrican.

“That will minimise the chances of it degenerating into conflicts amongst the partner states,” he added.

The Migingo Island territorial conflict between Kenya and Uganda has remained a threat to peace and security in the region after both countries claimed sovereignty over the island.

Last year Kenya agreed to share the disputed island with Uganda and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Uganda to enable fishermen and other Lake Victoria users to access either side of the boundary.

The tiny Migingo is located along the Kenya-Uganda boundary in Lake Victoria and it has been a source of conflict for the two neighbouring countries since 2004.

EAC member countries view peaceful and co-ordinated management of shared natural resources as critical to promoting unity and regional integration that appears to have remained elusive largely due to persistent trade disputes and lack of commitment by member states in the implementation of joint regional projects.

“One of the key benefits of regional integration is the co-ordination in management of the environment and natural resources in order to ensure sustainability of the achievements that accrue from other fronts,” said Dr Desai.

The protocol, which was signed by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in April 2006 has remained dormant for more than 14 years after Tanzania declined to ratify it calling for its review.

Rwanda and Burundi are not bound by the agreement since they were not yet part of the regional bloc by the time the agreement was being signed.

Article 114 of the EAC treaty provides for co-operation in joint management and sustainable ultilisation of natural resources within the bloc.

Besides EAC’s Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources, member states are signing a MoU with each other to co-ordinate management of share natural resources.

Kenya has signed a MoU with Tanzania for the management of the Mara catchment which is an important source of water for Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake in the world and the main water reservoir for River Nile, a lifeline for downstream countries South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt.

The two partner states have also concluded and signed the MoU for joint management of Lakes Challa, Jipe and Umba River Basin.

“The Mara River is one such important trans-boundary natural is of immense value to the people in the basin and beyond. The upper catchment of the Mara River Basin is an important water tower that supports economic activity and livelihoods of the citizens of the four hosting counties of Bomet, Narok, Nakuru and Kericho,” said Dr Desai.

 “The lower part of the basin is the source of water for both the people and the wide biological diversity that depends on it.”

Kenya and Uganda are also in the process of signing a MoU for the conservation of Mt Elgon but the process has been slowed by the Covid-19 containment measures that restricted gatherings and movement.

Globally, 2015 Paris Agreement set a global goal to reach net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) in the second half of the century and an increasing number of governments are translating that into national strategy, setting out visions of a carbon-free future, according to Climate Home News, a UK-based magazine focusing on the international politics of climate crisis.

The signatories to the Paris Climate Accord are expected to review their progress in reducing the greenhouse emissions during a global climate change conference scheduled for Glasgow (Scotland) in November 2021.

The Kenyan government has developed a national strategy of achieving 10 per cent forest cover by the year 2022 by planting 1.8 billion quality tree seedlings.

Currently Kenya has an estimated 7.2 per cent of forest cover.

“Borrowing from the global targets of trying to reduce greenhouse emissions and control climate change, Kenya has various policy documents and one of the key targets is to achieve a 10 per cent forest cover for the entire country,” Dr Desai added. - The EastAfrican

ECOWAS lifts post-coup sanctions on Mali

BAMAKO, Mali

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted a trade and travel blockade on Mali after the military masterminds of the August 18 coup agreed to form a transitional government led by a civilian. 

Bah Ndaw (C) with junta leaders Col Assimi Goita (L) and Col Malick Diaw (R) 

The regional bloc said on Tuesday that the decision to lift the sanctions against the junta was taken because of the appointment of Mali's 25-member interim government on Monday. 

Bah Ndaw, 70, is president of the 18-month transition government with military junta leader Col Assimi Goita as vice-president and former Foreign minister Moctar Ouane as prime minister. 

In the new cabinet, military officers occupy four key portfolios -- national security, defence, national reconciliation, and regional administration. 

Announcing the lifting of sanctions on Tuesday, the chairman of ECOWAS Authority, Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo called on the Mali government to comply with other demands by the 15-member regional bloc to dissolve the ruling military council and release detainees. 

In the statement released in Abuja, Nigeria, President Akufo-Addo said the junta explained in the Transition Charter that the vice president is in charge of defence and security, but would never replace the transition president. 

"But it remains unclear if the new government enjoys the support of Malians, especially, the opposition coalition M5-RFP, which spare-headed national protests that preceded the military sacking of the government of elected president Ibrahim Keita.'' 

ECOWAS had on August 20, 2020, imposed sanctions on Mali following the ouster of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. 

The 15-member bloc had said that the sanctions would only be lifted when a civilian prime minister is named to oversee the transition. 

The sanctions included a ban on commercial trade and financial flows, but not on basic necessities such as drugs, equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic, fuel, and electricity. 

ECOWAS also directed its member states to close borders against the embattled country and suspended Mali from all its decision-making organs and imposed restrictions against the military officers, their partners, and collaborators in the coup pending restoration of constitutional order. 

The bloc dispatched a high-level delegation to the West African nation to restore normalcy, which also demanded the release of all detained civilians and military personnel. 

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also demanded the "unconditional release" of President Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse as well as the "immediate restoration of constitutional order." 

The junta has established the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) to superintend a transition to civil rule.  - AFP

Heavily armed Tanzania police block presidential candidate's convoy

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

A group of heavily armed Tanzanian police force officers intercepted entourage of main opposition party (CHADEMA) presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, from leaving Dar es Salaam on Tuesday afternoon.

Lissu whose campaign was barred for a week by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for "violation" of election ethics was travelling to a neighbouring Coastal region to participate in a community event.

Vice Chairman of the party and presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu

The ban by NEC was imposed following complaints from the ruling CCM party and another NRA party.

The parties accused Lissu of falsely claiming that president John Magufuli had held a secret meeting returning officers with intention of influencing the outcome of the polls.

Lissu, his security detail and senior party officials were making headway to Kibaha town  when they were intercepted by the security officers at Kiluvya village.

A 45-seconds long video clip shared by the opposition party (CHADEMA) on their Twitter page shows some armed officers in a Landcruiser as others mill around the scene. 

They are dressed in their uniforms and helmets and appear not in a hurry to let Lissu’s team leave.

Lissu who talked to journalist after seven-hours stop said that he was not going to a campaign rally, but had a community task to attend to as Vice Chairman of the party.

"NEC has maliciously stopped my campaigns, I know that! But as you can see the ruling party is using police to stop me from doing other community based work." Lissu said, adding that he was travelling to Kibaha to visit market, open new party branches and meet leaders in a closed-door meeting.

The outspoken and main critic of the current government told the press that he and his officer are not returning to Dar es Salaam city but will stay at the road as long as police want.

"We are being prevented by heavily armed police officers from proceeding with our journey to an internal meeting. I’m not going anywhere. I’m a free citizen and a presidential candidate. These dictatorial methods have got to stop now!" He said.

The coastal region police commander, Wankyo Nyigesa, has vowed not to allow the opposition leader to drive beyond the roadblock.

"I have heard that Tundu Lissu doesn't want to go back to Dar es Salaam and instead spend the night here at the road, that's good for he will accompany our officers who are used to spend nights patrolling." Nyigesa said.  

The police commander later ordered arrest of a number of people at the scene believed to be CHADEMA followers for what they termed as accompanying the party's Presidential candidate in campaigning.

The coastal region police commander, Wankyo Nyigesa,

He said they had received intelligence report that Lissu was planning to launch and lead his party members to hoist flags at a number of their offices in Coast region.“

It was revealed to us that he would first pass by Mlandizi market before heading to their offices in Mtabani, Mlandizi, Zanati crossroads for the hoisting of flags in an open space,” he said.

He added: “If you remember Lissu was suspended from conducting his campaigns for seven days and what he is trying to do is tantamount to the same thing.

Sudanese government, rebel alliance sign peace deal

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudan’s power-sharing government and several key rebel groups have signed a peace agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict which has killed hundreds of thousands and left millions displaced.

Three major groups signed a preliminary deal in August – two factions from the western region of Darfur and one from the southern region – after months of talks hosted by South Sudan.

Another powerful rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which had not participated in initial peace negotiations, agreed last month to join new talks hosted by South Sudan. Dancers from Darfur and the Nile states performed on the stage before the signing in Juba.

The U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, said, “This historic achievement addresses decades of conflicts and suffering, it will also require firm and unwavering commitment to implement the agreement fully and without delays.”

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed “the dawn of a new era for the people of Sudan”.

The presidents of Ethiopia and Chad and the prime ministers of Egypt and Uganda were among regional officials and politicians at the event. Tut Gatluak, the South Sudanese chief mediator, said ahead of Saturday’s ceremony that the goal was eventually to sign deals with all armed groups.

Sudan has been wracked by conflict for decades. After the oil-rich south seceded in 2011, an economic crisis fuelled protests that led to the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Sudan’s new civilian and military leaders, who have shared power since then, say ending conflicts is a top priority.

The deal sets out terms to integrate rebels into the security forces, be politically represented and have economic and land rights.

A new fund will pay $750 million a year for 10 years to the impoverished southern and western regions and the chance of return for displaced people is also guaranteed. Analysts have welcomed the agreement but questioned the prominent role given to armed groups and the military.

Tottenham thrash hapless Manchester United 6-1

By Peter Hanson, MANCHESTER England

Jose Mourinho suggested that Manchester United were not in a position to complain about their VAR misfortune after Tottenham routed the Red Devils 6-1 at Old Trafford.

The former Red Devils boss saw his Spurs side ride roughshod over a woeful performance from the home side, who suffered their joint-worst home Premier League defeat in history.

The hosts had snatched an almost immediate lead following a second-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty but the visitors responded in quick succession to take the lead well inside the opening quarter-hour thanks to efforts from Tanguy Ndombele and Son Heung-min.

United's problems were compounded on the half-hour mark though when Anthony Martial was shown a red card for an apparent retaliation to receiving an elbow from Erik Lamela, in the wake of which Harry Kane piled on more misery with a third goal.

Controversy reigned from the decision, which saw Lamela escape without punishment despite clear replays suggesting he was the instigator, but speaking after the match, Mourinho suggested that his old side were not in a position to complain about the outcome given their own fair share of assists from VAR technology.

"I didn't watch it. Maybe later I will. If someone can cry about the VAR decisions it is Tottenham and if someone cannot cry about VAR it is Manchester United for sure," he told Sky Sports . 

"I don't know, the only thing I know is we played extremely well. I told my players that a good result here would be to win and we did that."

The Portuguese was filled with effusive praise for his side's rampant performance however, who doubled their early haul through second goals for Son and Kane plus an effort for Serge Aurier, hailing it as a "historical" result.

"Manchester United doesn't lose many matches, [and] to lose by six is of course not every day," he added.

"[It's a] historical victory but in the end [it's] three points and three very important points because we lost five points at home.

"We prepared ourselves very well tactically and also psychologically, the team was ready. So ready that a penalty in the first minute and going 1-0 down did not affect the team at all.

"Some people can say you play against 10 men for a long time which is true but for me it is also true that 11 v 11 we were playing extremely well, we were creating huge problems, we were winning 2-1 and they could not find solutions to control us."

Dele Alli made his first Premier League appearance since the opening-day defeat to Everton, coming off the bench in the second half having only played a couple of Europa League qualifiers since the loss to the Toffees.

The England midfielder had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain but Mourinho insists Alli has always been part of his plans.

"He has never stopped showing, I always said that I never had a problem with him. Very polite, very educated, always behaving well. He is training well, sometimes I want different things from him on the pitch," he further added. 

"That is more about his qualities as a player than other things. He is a fantastic player as everyone knows."

 

Shambolic Liverpool destroyed 7-2 by Villa as title race takes early twist

By Neil Jones, LIVERPOOL England

Sometimes it needs the words of Sir Alex Ferguson to truly sum up what the world has just witnessed.

“Football, eh? Bloody hell.”

On a day when Manchester United, Ferguson’s old club, plumbed new depths with their undressing at the hands of Tottenham, Liverpool decided to take the heat off their old rivals with a performance that was both even more stunning and even more shambolic. 

Where do you even start with this one?

Jurgen Klopp’s side were ripped apart, destroyed by an Aston Villa team which exposed the reigning champions’ chin in quite brutal fashion. 

It finished 7-2, but it genuinely could have been anything. Liverpool, a side that prides itself on its heart and its cohesion, its solidity and structure, were unrecognisable, bewildered strangers with Liver Birds on their chest but shoelaces tied together. 

Their first-half display, in particular, was about as bad as it gets. Never under Klopp have they looked so weak, so vulnerable, so utterly ill-at-ease.

You would have seen better, more convincing defending in the Liverpool Sunday League.

Liverpool had more shots and three-quarters of the ball, but conceded four times in the opening 45 minutes – and it could have been more. 

It did not get much better after the break, either. More than five years after the horrors of ‘Stoke away’, and that dim, disgusting 6-1 loss, this was every bit as bad. 

Worse, in fact. Brendan Rodgers’ side was broken, its race run. They were imbalanced and bereft of confidence. This was the Premier League champions, taken to the cleaners by Ollie Watkins, standing and admiring Jack Grealish, smashed for seven by a team which only managed to avoid relegation on the final day of last season. 

Who, truly, saw this coming? Sure, Liverpool have not been as solid as we have come to expect - they conceded three against Leeds on the opening weekend, remember - but seven goals? Against Villa? Unheard of. 

And to think how the week had started, too. Klopp had bristled when Roy Keane, on Sky Sports, suggested his side had been “sloppy” in beating Arsenal on Monday night. How dare he, after a 3-1 win which showcased the (very) good side of this Reds team?

Keane was not in the studio for this one, and that was probably for the best. Lord knows what he would have had to say if he was. Jamie Carragher, on co-commentary, was lost for words - and that doesn't happen/.

The errors were constant and incredible, individual and collective.

Adrian, standing in for the injured Alisson Becker in goal, gifted Villa their opener inside four minutes. The Spaniard’s lack of conviction with the ball at his feet is a real issue in a side such as this, and the fear is that Alisson’s shoulder problem is not a minor one.

Everton, top of the league and Liverpool’s next opponents, will be licking their lips for sure.

Watkins, Villa’s summer signing from Brentford, had never previously scored a Premier League goal, but he had three by half-time here, with Liverpool’s defence claiming the assists. 

Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even the totemic Virgil van Dijk all had nightmares. In front of them Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum were mirages, offering neither protection nor penetration. Naby Keita, the third midfielder, was hooked at half-time, though he was far from Liverpool’s worst performer. Klopp, genuinely, could have substituted any of them.

Villa, gleefully, accepted their gifts. They had some luck with deflections, but they also missed a boatload of chances themselves. Every time the home side attacked, Klopp’s side looked vulnerable. Dean Smith should be proud of his team's showing.

Grealish, unplayable at times, scored twice, and Ross Barkley, the former Everton midfielder, added insult to injury with a goal on his debut following his loan move from Chelsea. He should, in truth, have had a hat-trick of his own.

Villa, then, join Everton as the only teams with their 100 per cent record still intact in the Premier League. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, are the first reigning champions in England to concede seven goals in a top-flight match since Arsenal in September 1953. They could, perhaps should, have been the first side ever to concede 10 in a Premier League game.

And if that does not sum up their evening, then what does?

Tanzania Electoral Commission suspended main opposition presidential candidate's campaigns for a week

By Our Staff Reporter, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

The Tanzanian National Electoral Commission (NEC) has finally suspended campaigns of the main opposition Presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, for seven days for violation of electoral ethics and codes of conduct.

The vocal politician claimed that his party was being intimidated after all efforts to sabotage his campaigns failed, including that of denying him use of a helicopter.

Tanzania will hold its highly anticipated elections on October 28 this year to elect union President, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and ward councillors.

President John Magufuli, who seeks re-election on the ticket of the long ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi is facing strong opposition from prominent lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA.

Tanzania authorities have stepped up repression of opposition parties, nongovernmental organizations, and the media ahead of the country’s general elections on October 28, 2020.

In a statement issued by a committee calling itself National Ethical Committee under NEC and signed by its Secretary, Emmanuel Kawishe, stated that the seven-day suspension starts from October 3.

It stated that two political parties; ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi and NRA submitted claims against Lissu.

The committee claimed that the candidate made inflammatory statements that could endanger the country’s peace and security.

It alleged that while in Geita region, he incited the citizens against the government and that while in Musoma town he gave baseless information claiming that president Magufuli had convened a meeting of country-wide returning officer to rig the election.

Kawishe further stated that NEC summoned the candidate to appear before the committee or present his defence but he defied and they went ahead to impose the ban.

Lissu having light time with his supporters

Early this week, Lissu said that he couldn't respond to a summons sent through social media or television. "Election is a legal process, all events should also follow legal path; how can someone summon me through twitter?" he queried.

the Director of National Electoral Commission, Charles Mahela was quoted telling stakeholders in Arusha that they shouldn’t be surprised to see candidates and supporters teargassed by law enforcers.

A day later, CHADEMA presidential candidate’s convoy was teargassed by police in Mara region while his running mate’s convoy was teargassed in Morogoro region.

The vocal politician claimed that his party was being intimidated after all efforts to sabotage his campaigns failed, including that of denying him use of a helicopter. 

The former Singida East MP and Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) president, warned that all unacceptable threats against his party have been communicated to the UN and AU human rights commissions, whereby the AU chairman said the world was closely monitoring the Tanzania election situation.

“We will stand firm. But, any disruption of things will provide clear evidence of people who should be held accountable, including appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague,” he said.

The presidential candidate said although he didn’t want Tanzanians to face charges before The Hague-based ICC, Mahera and people of authority in the government should watch over their statements and conducts.

Responding to the latest development, he said this ochestrated 'rough justice' is yet another proof of a discredited NEC and a compromised electoral system.

"The NEC's decision is totally unacceptable. I'll not be intimidated or silenced. The campaigns will continue on Sunday as scheduled." He insisted.

Yesterday the US embassy in Tanzania issued a bold statement calling for the country’s authorities to maintain impartiality during the elections process.

“The United States, along with other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during or after the elections.” The US warned, adding that their government will not hesitate to consider consequences for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

US urge Tanzania authorities to maintain 'impartiality' during elections process

By Our Staff Reporter, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

The government of the United States of America has called for the Tanzania government and the authorities in charge of managing the forthcoming general elections to maintain absolute impartiality, rule of law and human rights during the electoral process.

The US ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright (L) talking to President John Magufuli after presenting his credentials to the president

In a statement issued here by the US Embassy on Tanzania’s upcoming elections, they support a genuinely free, fair, transparent and peaceful electoral process, before, during and after Election day.

“The conduct of upcoming elections in Tanzania has important consequences not only for Tanzania, but for the entire east Africa region. Tanzania’s history of peaceful multiparty elections stretching back 25 years has made it a model on the continent.”

The statement said that the United States government reaffirms unequivocally that it does not support any specific candidate or party in Tanzania’s upcoming elections and that it supports the democratic process itself.

Tundu Lissu address his supporters in Karatu, Manyara region

Tanzania will hold its highly anticipated elections on October 28 this year to elect union President, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and ward councillors. President John Magufuli, who seeks re-election on the ticket long ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi is facing strong opposition from prominent lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA.

“The United States, along with other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during or after the elections.” The US warned, adding that their government will not hesitate to consider consequences for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

Tanzania authorities have stepped up repression of opposition parties, nongovernmental organizations, and the media ahead of the country’s general elections on October 28, 2020. 

Since mid-June, the government has arrested at least 17 opposition party members and critics of the government, suspended a rights group and cancelled the license of another, and blocked other major rights groups from observing the upcoming elections.

The convoy of Lissu’s running mate, Salum Mwalimu, being tear gassed by the Police in the eastern Ifakara village in Morogoro region

The authorities have also imposed new restrictions on the media, revoking the license of a newspaper affiliated with an opposition member and restricting some news outlets.

The convoy of Tanzanian opposition presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, was on Monday hit with police tear gas in Nyamongo area while on the way to Serengeti, in Mara region, sparking heated confrontation between law enforcers and his Chadema party.

According to Chadema's Serengeti zonal secretary, Jackson Mnyawami, police officers who were in 10 vehicles also fired live bullets causing injury to the opposition supporters and arresting six.

“Our convoy has been subjected to a massive teargas attack by the police in an attempt to block our route heading to our campaign meeting” Lissu said adding that their supporters have equally been beaten and hurt. “Let them bomb us and shoot us, but we shall never back down.” He insisted.

Lissu claim that the Electoral Commission use police force to undermining the democratic process by intimidate him and his party favouring the ruling party that has lost support. “The ruling party has lost support as you can see, therefore the electoral commission is using police to nail us down because they are president’s apointeees.”

A day later, the convoy of Lissu’s running mate, Salum Mwalimu, was teargassed by the Police in the eastern Ifakara village in Morogoro region, ostensibly to disperse throngs of supporters as he tried to greet residents who had gathered for a rally expected to be addressed by an opposition councillorship candidate.

The Director of National Electoral Commission, Charles Mahera, declared that the opposition party are chaotic and will be teargassed by the police because the Inspector General of Police is fed up with their chaos.

The IGP, Simon Sirro, has yesterday categorically warned Tundu Lissu, to abide by the electoral regulation and avoid confronting police officers or else he will be dealt with accordingly. “I categorically warn Tundu Lissu to abide by the regulations and not to confront my officers, short of that he will be dealt with accordingly.” Said IGP.

In a twitter post on September 30 this year, the US ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright said: “I'm concerned by the reports I'm hearing of politically motivated violence and the overall increase in tensions as we get closer to Tanzania's elections. I urge all parties to commit to free, fair, and peaceful elections. As the saying goes: Peace is the fruit of justice.”