Following complaints in parliament and elsewhere about the agreements being signed with foreign mining companies for the extraction of gold, President Kikwete appointed in November a 12-member special commission to review existing mining contracts under the Chairmanship of former Attorney General Mark Bomani. The big surprise was the inclusion in the list of members of the celebrated Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe. Some CHADEMA party leaders doubted if their MP could be effective in the Commission, given its composition – Majira.

Terms of references include the reviewing of mining contracts and other documents related to commercial mining, evaluation of the taxation system in the minerals sector, and the rights and responsibilities of the investors and the government. The Committee was instructed to meet with the Chamber of Mines and other key stakeholders before giving its recommendations – Guardian.

The Presidential Commission on the mining industry has started touring the country to collect evidence at the beginning of January. People living near the Bulyanhulu gold mines in Kahama district told the Commission members that they had lost confidence in local leaders and officials, as they sided with the investors and were on their payroll.
One villager, said that the people near the mine were being ‘gagged with sweeteners’ they received from the investors. He said that before the committee arrived the mining firm entertained the villagers to a meal so that they would remain silent. “We are glad the presidential committee is here, especially with Hon Zitto Kabwe as a member, because we hope you will take our message said the villager – Majira.

During their visit to Kishapu district on January 4th villagers were reported to have jeered their CCM MP accusing him of siding with the mining firm in evicting them from their farms without following legal channels and without compensating them. The villagers told the Commission that the investor was also supported by the police and the mining officer. The meeting became unruly and so Chairperson, Mark Bomani, took the microphone and told the people that they were there to collect opinions on the mining sector and not to talk about their MP. When MP Zitto Kabwe spoke he received a warm welcome from the people – Tanzania Daima.)

As this issue of TA goes to press the Tanzanian Government announced its stand on the crisis in Kenya following the alleged fixing of the presidential election there.

It said that Tanzania was very concerned about the situation in Kenya and was happy that no Tanzanians had been injured. It advised Tanzanians not to visit the country while the disturbances continued. It said that it would not be good for Tanzania to take sides but it would be ready to listen to what they had to say.

As an indication of Tanzania’s importance to Kenya in its tribulations, President Kikwete received messages from both sides in the dispute. One was presented to President Kikwete by Kibaki supporter Uhuru Kenyatta and the other by the Secretary General of Raila Odingo’s Party (ODM), Prof. Peter Onyong’o. In his responses, President Kikwete said he was happy to hear the willingness by leaders to hold a dialogue and added: “ am saddened by what is happening in Kenya.”

Four Tanzanian opposition parties (Civic United Front (CUF), Tanzania Labour Party (TLP), Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) and NCCR- Mageuzi) tried to organise a demonstration in Dar es Salaam supporting the opposition in Kenya over the disputed poll results but police in full combat gear stopped it.

The ‘Southern African Network of Human Rights NGOs’ (SAHRINGON) applauded President Kikwete for not rushing to congratulate Mwai Kibaki who was sworn in as Kenya President immediately after the election results were announced – Majira.