Tanzania: Outrage in Tanzania Elite As Magufuli Intensifies Rwandanisation
Photo: The Citizen
President John Magufuli.
opinion
There is disbelief in Tanzania as newly elected President John Pombe Magufuli breaks with the past - introducing policies which a growing base of displeased elites are angrily branding as "arrogance".
The latest in President Magufuli's trove of surprises is the suspension of the December 9th independence day celebrations, according to media reports. The president has instead decreed that on that day everybody should pick up their tools and clean their backyards. There will be national cleaning on Independence Day 2015 - celebrated in pomp and style since 1961 when the Tanzania got freedom from the British.
Parliamentary leaders nearly faced the wrath of the new leader Magufuli had they ignored his plea that a scheduled address to the House is cut short to the maximum. The President reportedly demanded that his presence and that of his prime minister be limited to less than 30mins.
Magufuli reportedly also told parliamentary leaders that the people of Tanzania want him to solve their problems, and not him making speeches. Instead, the president went on to order for purchase of beds and restocking Tanzania's biggest public hospital where he made surprise visit only to find patients on the floor. Many complained of not seeing doctors for days.
When news of the suspension of independence day celebrations began circulating, social media enthusiasts were comparing his bold actions to Rwanda. "Kagame [must be] nodding his approval," wrote Peter on Twitter, referring to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Bijou Mami who could be Tanzanian added: "We need a President like Kagame."
President Magufuli was inaugurated on November 5, at a function attended by President Kagame. Media reports say Kagame received the biggest applause from the thousands of Tanzanians in the stadium where the event was taking place.
Just a day after his swearing in, Magufuli made a surprise visit to the Finance Ministry and was shocked to notice that most workers had not reported to work.
The President was only beginning to witness inefficiency on an industrial scale. At the finance ministry, Magufuli found literally thousands of requests for foreign travel. For a man who had travelled abroad only six times for the 20 years he had been minister, it was a shocker.
In another change of act, Magufuli ordered a ban on foreign travel for ministers and all government officials. All international invitations will be handled by Tanzania's diplomatic missions.
Such is the new state of affairs for the people of Mwalimu. Finally, they are getting a leader who is making things happen. At the main Tanzania hospital, deafening applause escorted Magufuli out.
For years, relations between Tanzania and its regional neighbours stayed in the cold amid Dar es Salaam's reluctance to agree to much of the agenda of the East African Community. Then came 26th June 2013.
Inside a closed door session for Heads of State at the African Union in Ethiopia, President Kikwete advanced that the Government of Rwanda negotiates with its rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The so called democratic forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) executed the genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda and fled to the forests of the lawless vast country.
By President Kikwete suggesting talks between the militia group with a sitting government, was considered in Rwanda and beyond as an endorsement that the genocide is questionable. Rwanda-Tanzania relations nearly collapsed completely.
On the contrary though, inside the stadium during the Magufuli inauguration, President Kagame had a front row seat. In the world of diplomacy, that was clear indication that the new dispensation wants a clean break from the interference attitude of the outgoing Kikwete establishment.
