ZANZIBAR: MORE Tanzanians are set to benefit from free legal services following the launch of the second phase of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign in Zanzibar yesterday, with the initiative targeting underserved communities and expanding access to justice nationwide.
The second phase of the campaign was launched in Zanzibar yesterday by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking during the launch, Dr Mwinyi said the campaign has played a significant role in bringing legal services closer to citizens, particularly low-income groups who often face challenges in accessing justice.
“This campaign has been a catalyst in ensuring that citizens, particularly the underprivileged, access justice in a timely and effective manner,” he said.
He noted that despite ongoing government efforts to strengthen the justice system, many citizens still face obstacles such as long distances, the cost of legal services and limited awareness of their legal rights.
According to Dr Mwinyi, the second phase is designed to address these challenges by expanding outreach and improving service delivery at the grassroots level.
“We are determined to remove all barriers that prevent citizens from accessing justice by bringing services closer to the grassroots level,” he said.
He said the first phase of the campaign, implemented between 2023 and 2026, reached more than four million people across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar through free legal education, dispute resolution, legal representation and assistance in obtaining legal documents.
Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Dr Juma Zuberi Homera said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to promoting justice, equality and the rule of law.
He said 422,908 people in Zanzibar benefited from the first phase, with legal aid services reaching all districts, wards and shehias across the Isles.
The campaign also facilitated the preparation of 220 legal documents and helped nearly 4,000 citizens obtain essential registration documents, including birth, death and marriage certificates.
Dr Homera said the programme handled hundreds of disputes involving land, marriage, inheritance and gender-based violence, helping many citizens resolve legal challenges affecting their daily lives.
Meanwhile, Zanzibar Minister of State in the President’s Office (Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance), Dr Haroun Ali Suleiman, said the campaign delivered tangible results in the Isles.
“The campaign yielded positive outcomes in Zanzibar, providing many citizens with free access to legal services and contributing to the resolution of long-standing disputes,” he said.
He added that the initiative has strengthened public trust in legal institutions and increased awareness of legal rights among citizens.
Dr Suleiman said the government will continue working closely with development partners and civil society organisations to ensure the success of the second phase.
Supported by partners including UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women, the campaign aims to further expand legal aid services through digital systems and community-based outreach, in line with national efforts to promote good governance, human rights and inclusive development.
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Officials said the second phase will place greater emphasis on reaching underserved communities to ensure legal services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their economic status or location.
The launch was attended by senior government leaders, including Deputy Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives Mwanaasha Khamis, Chairperson of Parliament Najma Giga representing the Speaker, Zanzibar Attorney General Mwinyi Talib Haji, Union Attorney General Hamza Johari, regional and district leaders, development partners and stakeholders from the legal sector.