Kaimu Balozi wa Palestina Azuru Dar-Pc: Aanika Takwimu za Kusikitisha za Mauaji, Wanahabari Waahidi Mshikamano

DAR ES SALAAM: Kaimu Balozi wa Serikali ya Palestina nchini Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Mhandisi Salim Siam, ametembelea ofisi za Chama cha Waandishi wa Habari Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam (DAR-PC) mnamo Desemba 18, 2025. Katika ziara hiyo, alifanya mazungumzo ya kina na wanachama wa chama hicho, akisisitiza mshikamano kati ya mataifa hayo mawili kupitia nyanja muhimu ya habari.

Katika mkutano huo, Mhandisi Siam alifafanua changamoto nzito zinazowakabili Wapalestina kwa sasa, huku akielezea chimbuko la mgogoro huo na mauaji yanayoendelea kutekelezwa na Israel kwa kipindi cha miaka 78 sasa. Aliwasilisha takwimu zenye kuhuzunisha zinazoonesha hali mbaya ya ukiukwaji wa haki za binadamu kwa mujibu wa Ripoti ya Hali ya Palestina (Situation Report #66).

Mgogoro wa Usalama na Kibinadamu

Tangu kuanza kwa mauaji ya kimbari ya sasa, idadi ya vifo imefikia takriban mashahidi 70,663, wakiwemo watoto wasiopungua 20,179. Licha ya makubaliano ya kusitisha mapigano yaliyotangazwa Oktoba 11, Israel imeua Wapalestina wengine 391 na kujeruhi 1,063 ndani ya siku 66 zilizopita.

Hali ya kibinadamu inazidi kudorora huku msimu wa baridi ukishika kasi. Ripoti zinaonesha kuwa watoto wachanga wanapoteza maisha kutokana na baridi kali na utapiamlo uliokithiri, hali inayochochewa na Israel kuzuia malori 6,500 yaliyobeba misaada muhimu ya kibinadamu na vifaa vya baridi. Aidha, takriban 87% ya makazi huko Gaza yameharibiwa kabisa, jambo linalowaacha maelfu ya watu bila hifadhi ya uhakika.

Mashambulizi Dhidi ya Wanahabari

Kaimu Balozi aliweka msisitizo wa pekee kwenye mchango wa wanahabari, akiwataja kama "walinzi wa ukweli." Ripoti zinaonesha kuwa mwaka 2025 umekuwa mwaka wenye maafa makubwa zaidi kwa wanahabari duniani kote, huku Israel ikitajwa kuhusika na 43% ya vifo vyote vya wanahabari ulimwenguni.

Kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Habari la Palestina (WAFA), tangu Oktoba 2023 hadi Desemba 14, 2025, jumla ya wanahabari wa Kipalestina 289 wameuawa na Jeshi la Uvamizi la Israel (IOF). Wengi wa wanahabari hawa walilengwa kwa makusudi wakiwa katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao ya kutaarifu ulimwengu.

Kupongeza Msimamo wa Tanzania

Mheshimiwa Siam alipongeza msimamo wa Tanzania katika kuunga mkono mshikamano huo, licha ya kuwepo kwa uchache wa habari kuhusu mateso ya Wapalestina nchini Tanzania. Alisifu ushirikiano madhubuti wa vyombo vya habari na kuvihimiza viendane na msimamo wa serikali kwa kuunga mkono jitihada za Wapalestina na kuufahamisha umma kuhusu ukatili unaofanywa dhidi ya raia katika Ukanda wa Gaza na Ukingo wa Magharibi, ikiwemo Jerusalem. Alibainisha kuwa kuripoti habari hizo ni muhimu katika kuifanya Israel iwajibishwe kisheria na kuufahamisha ulimwengu juu ya ukatili wa muda mrefu wanaokabiliana nao watoto, wanawake, na wazee wa Palestina.

Msimamo wa DAR-PC na Mapendekezo

Kwa upande wake, Mtendaji Mkuu wa DAR-PC, Bw. Andrew Msechu, kwa niaba ya Mwenyekiti, alitoa tamko rasmi la mshikamano, akielezea masikitiko makubwa kutokana na mauaji ya wanahabari 51 nchini Palestina ndani ya mwaka 2025 pekee.

DAR-PC, inayojumuisha wanachama 171 kutoka vyombo vya habari zaidi ya 50, iliwasilisha maombi makuu manne kwa Balozi:

• Kuimarisha Njia za Mawasiliano: Kuhakikisha ofisi ya ubalozi inakuwa kiungo imara cha habari kwa wanahabari wa Tanzania.
• Ulezi na Utetezi: Kumuomba Balozi kuitambulisha na kuishajihisha DAR-PC kwa balozi nyinginezo ili kupanua wigo wa ushirikiano.
• Programu za Kubadilishana Uzoefu: Kuanzisha programu za mafunzo na ziara nchini Palestina ili kuwawezesha wanahabari kujionea hali halisi ilivyo.
• Mkataba wa Makubaliano (MoU): Kuandaa makubaliano maalum yatakayorahisisha upatikanaji wa vifaa vya ofisi na mtiririko wa taarifa zilizohakikiwa kwa wakati.

Mkutano huu wa kihistoria ukiwa ni wa kwanza tangu uongozi mpya wa DAR-PC uingie madarakani mnamo Februari 2025 unatazamwa kama hatua muhimu katika kuimarisha diplomasia ya habari na kutoa sauti kwa watu wa Palestina dhidi ya ukandamizaji.

 

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ENGLISH

PALESTINIAN CHARGE D’AFFAIRES VISITS DAR-PC: REVEALS STAGGERING DEATH TOLL, JOURNALISTS PLEDGE SOLIDARITY

DAR ES SALAAM: Charge d’Affaires of the State of Palestine to Tanzania, Honorable Eng. Salim Siam, visited the offices of the Dar es Salaam Press Club (DAR-PC), December 18, 2025. He engaged in in-depth discussions with members, emphasizing the solidarity between the two nations through the vital field of information.

During the meeting, Eng. Siam detailed the severe challenges currently facing Palestinians and explained the roots of the conflict and the ongoing killings carried out by Israel for 78 years. He presented distressing statistics illustrating the dire human rights situation according to Situation Report #66.

Security and Humanitarian Crisis

Since the start of the current genocide, the death toll has reached at least 70,663 martyrs, including at least 20,179 children. Despite the ceasefire deal declared on October 11, Israel has killed an additional 391 Palestinians and injured 1,063 others within the last 66 days.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as winter sets in. Reports indicate that infants are dying due to extreme cold and acute malnutrition, exacerbated by Israel blocking 6,500 trucks carrying essential humanitarian and winter supplies. Furthermore, approximately 87% of housing units in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving thousands without adequate shelter.

Attacks Against Journalists 

The Charge d’Affaires emphasized the critical role of journalists, whom he described as "guardians of truth." Current reports highlight 2025 as the deadliest year for the profession globally, with Israel accounting for 43% of all journalist fatalities worldwide. 

Data from the Palestine News Agency (WAFA) reveals that from October 2023 to December 14, 2025, a total of 289 Palestinian journalists were killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), many of whom were targeted in the line of duty.

Appreciation of Tanzania's Stance

Charge d affairs appreciated Tanzania stance of supporting solidarity despite the limited coverage of the Palestinian suffering in Tanzania. He commended the strong cooperation of the media. He urged the media to align with the government's position by supporting Palestinian efforts and informing the public about the atrocities committed against civilians in the Gaza Strip, West Bank including Jerusalem. He noted that such reporting is crucial in holding Israel legally accountable and informing the world about the long-standing cruelty faced by Palestinian children, women, and the elderly.

DAR-PC Stance and Recommendations

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of DAR-PC, Mr. Andrew Msechu, on behalf of the Chairman, issued a formal statement of solidarity, expressing deep distress over the killing of 51 journalists in Palestine in 2025 alone.

DAR-PC, which comprises 171 active members from over 50 media outlets, presented four key requests to the Ambassador:

• Strengthening Communication Channels: Ensuring the embassy office serves as a robust information link for Tanzanian journalists.
• Patronage and Advocacy: Requesting the Ambassador to introduce and represent DAR-PC to other diplomatic missions to expand cooperation.
• Exchange Programs: Establishing training programs and visits to Palestine to allow journalists to witness the reality on the ground.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Drafting a special agreement to facilitate access to office equipment and a verified, timely flow of information.

This historic meeting the first since the new DAR-PC leadership assumed office in February 2025 is viewed as a significant step in strengthening media diplomacy and providing a voice for the Palestinian people against oppression.