On August this year,  the Chinese and Tanzanian armies concluded  "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise held in at the Tanzanian military's Comprehensive Training Center in the Bagamoyo district of Mapinga.

During the exercise, that opened on July 29, troops from the People's Liberation Army of China and the Tanzania People's Defence Forces focused on joint counter-terrorism capability and carried out reconnaissance, rescue, besieging and elimination drills.

The Chinese ground units involved in the exercise consist of troops from the 82nd Group Army, an information and communication regiment, and a military hospital. The troops specialize in fields including assault, reconnaissance, intelligence, special operations, information support and logistics.

China conducted another military exercise with Mozambique immediately after the Tanzania one.

In 2016, China and Mozambique signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, aimed at strengthening contacts between the two countries’ army, police and intelligence services. China also agreed to strengthen Mozambique’s defence capacity.

China has been establishing closer cooperation with Africa, a relationship that has come with mixed reactions with some hailing it.

Djibouti is one of the African countries that China has managed to establish a permanent military base. The Chinese government has also managed to initiate several development projects in Djibouti which includes  electrical rail, a deep-sea port and a free-trade zone.

According to a Tanzanian activist who requested anonymity, this relationship comes at a cost.

"China has never been a player in counter terrorism exercises ever since, this is informed by their non allignment to the geo-political activities across the globe. This position has placed them out of global political conflicts which mostly broad terror activities. Now for China,Tanzania and Mozambique to conduct joint military activities and establish permanent military bases speaks to economic activities and interest of China in Tanzania." said the source.

Adding "Tanzania has emerged as major producer and exporter of natural gas in the globe with substantial resources in Songo Songo, Mnazi Bay and Kiliwani North all in Tanzania. This resources has led to substantial investment from the Chinese Govt and private corporations. We should also not forget the west countries and companies have also been investing in the same since natural gas was discovered way back in 1952 or there about. The scramble for this resources always put the interested companies and govt in fierce competition which sometimes can be ugly and violent as recently seen in Mozambique where with support from interested quotas extremist organizations took control of gas and oil reserves. It took the combined effort of neighbouring countries, deaths and destruction of property to restore order.

On her part Fatma Mwalimu  said China is benefiting from the partnership with Africa through trade opportunities and the rich mineral resources, oil and other natural resources that China needs to fuel its industrial growth and sustain its population.

She called for more caution and strategic approach to the partnership, from African countries.

"Yes, we need these partnerships since it is public knowledge that African countries cannot easily prosper on their own. However, it all requires a balanced and strategic partnership that prioritizes mutual interest, that prioritizes transparency and scores long-term development,” argued Mwalimu.