cxxxiv. The United Republic of Tanzania is one of the first countries in Africa to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights which, in URT, came into force in February 2006. The URT made a declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol in June 2009 thus accepting the jurisdiction of the African Court in respect of direct access by individuals and NGOs. Only five African countries - including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Mali - have made the optional declaration to date. The first case against the United Republic of Tanzania - on independent candidacy - was filed on 2 June 2011 by the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC). 5.2 Socio-Economic Development Zanzibar Success in the Fight against Malaria cxxxv. Zanzibar’s anti-malaria strategy, closely modelled on the World Health Organisation’s Roll Back Malaria Initiative, was hugely successful. According to an official with the Zanzibar Malaria Control Programme, the Zanzibar Government successfully reduced malaria infections down to one or two cases per week. Until recently, malaria was the leading cause of death in Zanzibar. Mosquitoes breed easily in the many rice fields on both Zanzibar and the smaller island of Pemba. More than 90% of malaria cases are of the most virulent strain, from Plasmodium falciparum - the mosquito species that transmits malaria in Africa. Alongside treated bed nets, the other main plank of Zanzibar’s battle against malaria is the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs). Maternity Care for Expecting Mothers cxxxvi. The APR Panel acknowledges Tanzania’s good progress in health care service delivery. Government’s policy of providing health centres in all districts of the Republic to support and care for pregnant women is commendable and a step in the right direction. This is intended to reduce high maternal mortality, a major health challenge in many African countries. Tanzania has very high levels of home deliveries. These deliveries are attributed to poor geographical access to health facilities, lack of a functioning referral system, and inadequate capital at health facilities in terms of space, skilled attendants, and equipment. Village Community Banks cxxxvii. In Tanzania, the Government’s National Micro-finance Policy established the basis for a micro-financial system serving the low income sector of society to evolve. The policy also supported the establishment of various types of MFIs, including credit and savings institutions (CSI), credit only (not-for-profit organisations), micro-finance banks and private banks. One of these credit and savings institutions operating at the village level with very large coverage is a set of village community banks, popularly known as VICOBA for short. Village Community Banks are informal, village-based savings and credit groups promoted in mainly rural areas in various parts of the country. VICOBA is primarily a savings club with a membership of not more than 30 participants per group. The informality and flexibility of the VICOBA framework has made it possible to reach many people in Tanzania. The loans empower them to meet their small and short-term financial needs for income generating activities, social obligations, and financial emergencies, without having to resort to other sources for funds. 6. CONCLUSION cxxxviii. After 50 years of independence, the United Republic of Tanzania has now reached the stage where its leadership and people can capitalise on its strengths emanating from the country’s political legacy to engage the appropriate driving forces for development and effectively avoid major impediments that would hinder the development process. 19