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- Aug 2, 2010
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Tue, Jul 17th, 2012
Tanzania |
Tanzania will send between 100 and 200 troops to a peacekeeping mission in war-torn Syria, the National Assembly was told here on Monday.
Defence and National Service ministerShamsi Vuai Nahodha said his ministry was finalizing procedures before sending the contingent to heed a United Nation's request. "Due to our (Tanzania) impressive performance in such missions, the UN has asked us to provide the troops for immediate deployment," said Mr Nahodha as he tabled his ministry's budget estimates.
The minister said currently there are 1,081 Tanzanian troops serving in peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Lebanon and Darfur region in Sudan.He said Tanzanian army commanders have proven their competence in UN peacekeeping roles, revealing that the appointment of Major General Wynjones Kisamba as deputy commander of UN peace forces in Darfur is testimony to that.
He said the ministry would maintain bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation in defence and security issues, noting that the ministry would have new military attachés in Malawi, Germany and United Arab Emirates.
The minister assured the House that the country's borders were well secured, save for incidents in the Western border where armed bandits believed to cross from DR Congo and Burundi have been waylaying and attacking local fishermen on Lake Tanganyika to steal their boats and fishing gear.
"To check the incidents we plan to provide the navy command speed boats to patrol the area," said the minister.
On the southern border with Malawi, the minister said the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ministry had been approached to embark on diplomatic talks with Malawi to resolve a longstanding dispute over Lake Nyasa border.
Meanwhile, Syria's 16-month bloodbath crossed an important symbolic threshold today as the International Red Cross formally declared the conflict a civil war, a status with implications for potential war crimes prosecutions, according to agency reports.
The Red Cross statement came as United Nations observers gathered new details on what happened in a village where dozens were reported killed in a regime assault. Meanwhile, the newly re-introduced compulsory six-month National Service stint takes off on trial basis in March, next year, involving 5,000 recruits including willing young Members of Parliament.
Defence and National Service Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha told the National Assembly here yesterday that all was set for the scheme to be implemented in six camps. He named the camps as Bulombora and Kanembwa (Kigoma), Mlale (Ruvuma), Msange (Tabora) and Oljoro (Arusha).
Mr Nahodha said that the first batch will be set up from the eligible 41,348 Form Six students who are scheduled to complete their studies next year. He said the ministry was working on selection criteria to be announced in January, next year.
"We were to enroll 20,000 students, but due to the colossal costs involved in running the programme we had to settle for 5,000 on trial basis," said the minister, adding that a specially tailored programme was in place for youthful Members of Parliament wishing to take part in National Service.
"I appeal to you (MPs) to register for the programme, which for MPs will last for three weeks," he said. Scores of youthful MPs in the august House did not have a chance to attend the compulsory service, which was abandoned more than a decade ago. The minister also said efforts were being made to minimize army and civilian land conflicts. He said where civilians had invaded areas reserved for the army, the ministry would either have to evict or relocate them.
He cited Tanganyika Packers in Arusha where the 977 Tanzania People's Defence Forces unit had to relocate to Themi Holdings Grounds after civilians encroached the area formerly earmarked for military training.He said that the ministry planned to make Nyumbu Automotive Technology Plant the centre for excellence in the region, by enhancing its innovation and technological capacity.
In its opinion, the opposition asked the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) to conduct a special audit of Suma JKT in the wake of embezzlement of funds and abuse of office allegations that some of its senior officials face. "The government must tell us about the measures it has taken to clear the image of the army, which has been tarnished by these allegations," said the ministry's opposition spokesperson Rev. Israel Natse.
Sadifa Khamis (CCM-Donge) hailed the move to re-introduce national service, noting that it is the best way to build a physically fit military. He also took a swipe at the army saying it allowed lazy soldiers in its ranks.Mr Deo Sanga (CCM – Njombe North) challenged the government to resolve land conflicts between the army and civilians.
Ms Christowaja Mtinda (Special Seats – Chadema) said the ministry must explain why it was not settling water and electricity debts, despite having a budget set aside for the expenditures.
By CHABY BARASA, Tanzania Daily News
Tanzania |
Tanzania will send between 100 and 200 troops to a peacekeeping mission in war-torn Syria, the National Assembly was told here on Monday.
Defence and National Service ministerShamsi Vuai Nahodha said his ministry was finalizing procedures before sending the contingent to heed a United Nation's request. "Due to our (Tanzania) impressive performance in such missions, the UN has asked us to provide the troops for immediate deployment," said Mr Nahodha as he tabled his ministry's budget estimates.
The minister said currently there are 1,081 Tanzanian troops serving in peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Lebanon and Darfur region in Sudan.He said Tanzanian army commanders have proven their competence in UN peacekeeping roles, revealing that the appointment of Major General Wynjones Kisamba as deputy commander of UN peace forces in Darfur is testimony to that.
He said the ministry would maintain bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation in defence and security issues, noting that the ministry would have new military attachés in Malawi, Germany and United Arab Emirates.
The minister assured the House that the country's borders were well secured, save for incidents in the Western border where armed bandits believed to cross from DR Congo and Burundi have been waylaying and attacking local fishermen on Lake Tanganyika to steal their boats and fishing gear.
"To check the incidents we plan to provide the navy command speed boats to patrol the area," said the minister.
On the southern border with Malawi, the minister said the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ministry had been approached to embark on diplomatic talks with Malawi to resolve a longstanding dispute over Lake Nyasa border.
Meanwhile, Syria's 16-month bloodbath crossed an important symbolic threshold today as the International Red Cross formally declared the conflict a civil war, a status with implications for potential war crimes prosecutions, according to agency reports.
The Red Cross statement came as United Nations observers gathered new details on what happened in a village where dozens were reported killed in a regime assault. Meanwhile, the newly re-introduced compulsory six-month National Service stint takes off on trial basis in March, next year, involving 5,000 recruits including willing young Members of Parliament.
Defence and National Service Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha told the National Assembly here yesterday that all was set for the scheme to be implemented in six camps. He named the camps as Bulombora and Kanembwa (Kigoma), Mlale (Ruvuma), Msange (Tabora) and Oljoro (Arusha).
Mr Nahodha said that the first batch will be set up from the eligible 41,348 Form Six students who are scheduled to complete their studies next year. He said the ministry was working on selection criteria to be announced in January, next year.
"We were to enroll 20,000 students, but due to the colossal costs involved in running the programme we had to settle for 5,000 on trial basis," said the minister, adding that a specially tailored programme was in place for youthful Members of Parliament wishing to take part in National Service.
"I appeal to you (MPs) to register for the programme, which for MPs will last for three weeks," he said. Scores of youthful MPs in the august House did not have a chance to attend the compulsory service, which was abandoned more than a decade ago. The minister also said efforts were being made to minimize army and civilian land conflicts. He said where civilians had invaded areas reserved for the army, the ministry would either have to evict or relocate them.
He cited Tanganyika Packers in Arusha where the 977 Tanzania People's Defence Forces unit had to relocate to Themi Holdings Grounds after civilians encroached the area formerly earmarked for military training.He said that the ministry planned to make Nyumbu Automotive Technology Plant the centre for excellence in the region, by enhancing its innovation and technological capacity.
In its opinion, the opposition asked the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) to conduct a special audit of Suma JKT in the wake of embezzlement of funds and abuse of office allegations that some of its senior officials face. "The government must tell us about the measures it has taken to clear the image of the army, which has been tarnished by these allegations," said the ministry's opposition spokesperson Rev. Israel Natse.
Sadifa Khamis (CCM-Donge) hailed the move to re-introduce national service, noting that it is the best way to build a physically fit military. He also took a swipe at the army saying it allowed lazy soldiers in its ranks.Mr Deo Sanga (CCM – Njombe North) challenged the government to resolve land conflicts between the army and civilians.
Ms Christowaja Mtinda (Special Seats – Chadema) said the ministry must explain why it was not settling water and electricity debts, despite having a budget set aside for the expenditures.
By CHABY BARASA, Tanzania Daily News
