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Critical minds or minds at crossroads? Magufuli, new leadership style and rule of law

By Allen Crony Kasamala* Tanzania is a sovereign state that subscribes to the principle of the rule of law. The definition of the term rule of law is contested in that there is no single agreed definition. Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Walker provides that most of the contents of the rule of law can be summed up in two points; first that the people should be ruled by the law and obey it and secondly that the law should be such that people will be able to be guided by it. On the other hand Christian Fleckof   LexisNexis an entity on the advancement of the Rule of Law sums the principle to mean ‘ that no one is above the law. The principle is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary governance, whether by a totalitarian leader or by mob rule. Thus the rule of law is hostile both to dictatorship and to anarchy’ In a nutshell the following salient tenets are warranted for a state to be said to be subscribing and practicing the said principle, the separation of powers, la...

Magufuli gets “Stop Order” from National Assembly on EPA

By Staff Reporter, Dar es Salaam   ATTEMPTS by the fifth phase government of Tanzania under President John Pombe Magufuli to reconsider whether or not to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) have been thwarted by the country’s National Assembly.   During the last East African Community Heads of States Summit in Dar es Salaam, the partner states allowed more time for consultations. Specifically, Tanzania, needed more time to reconsider the various options on the economic partnership.   But the resolution made by the country’s National Assembly in session in Dodoma to stop the government from signing the EPA agreement in its current form, means President Magufuli’s options are minimized. Constitutionally, a resolution of the National Assembly as an important pillar of the government is a binding advisory, says a law Professor based in Dar es Salaam.   Reports from Dodoma reveal that most Members of the Assembly contributed agai...

Impulsive or transformative? Magufuli leadership style scrutinized

By Special Writer* I read with dismay the article which appeared in the Economist of May 28 th 2016 about the Tanzanian leader, Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and his government only to find it both distasteful and amateurish to say the least. The fact that the arguments advanced are full of insults and belittles a Head of State of a country with no shares in the Economist, is a sign of not only disrespect but a loss of focus by an otherwise “respected” international paper. No wonder the current feeling worldwide is that the Economist we all used to almost adore is nowadays a mere tabloid devoid of decency, quasi combative and totally disingenuous. His campaigns attracted unprecedented crowds Certainly, the Tanzania leader does not govern impulsively. Neither does he lead the government by gesture. To the contrary, he is fully committed to strengthening democratic principles of good governance and rule of law, leads a sustained fight against corruption and brings abo...

The Story of Dr. Magufuli and Reinvigorated Investor Confidence

The Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) has issued a statement to refute earlier claims by the Economist online magazine which had accused Tanzania as uninvestable place. We reproduce the statement below in verbatim to unveil the story of great transformation happening in Tanzania in terms of President Magufuli’s quick wins in boosting investor confidence. Enjoy reading-From the Editor.                              --------------------------------------------------------------------- Since President John Magufuli came into power (from December 2015 to May 2016) Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) has registered 551 investment projects worth $ 9,211.88 million. Of all these projects 229 are owned by Tanzanians, 215 projects are owned by foreigners while 107 projects are owned through joint ventures. The projects are expected to employ 55,970people...

Why Reform Minded Dr. Magufuli Ought To Be Given Space and Time

Special Contributor, Dar es Salaam*    My efforts to trace one of the late Mwalimu Nyerere’s golden quotes on the art and science of development was in vain, nevertheless, I still remember the main gist of the quote where Mwalimu alluded that many people in our countries want to see development, but very few of them are keen and ready to take part in the process. Mwalimu’s great philosophy, rather a prophecy if you like, has ticked in my head for so long but it came to memory after reading some of the comments emerging from a section of Tanzanians-locally and other critics from abroad on the current leadership. One such example is a recent article in the online version of the Economist which challenges President Magufuli’s leadership style. The article, vividly embracing some local opposition sentiments in Tanzania, alleged that the President has no vision and thus his administration is running things impulsively! As an independent Tanzanian, not an inner ci...

Ni “the economist” au “commercial interest?”

Na Mwandishi Wetu, Addis Ababa MTANDAO wa jarida mashuhuri duniani, the Econimist, wiki hii unmeibua mjadala mkubwa hasa Barani Afrika baada ya kuchapisha makala inayomzungumzia Rais John Pombe Magufuli wa Tanzania ikiponda staili ya utawala wake. Katika makala hiyo yenye anuani isemayo: “Tanzania’s new president looks good but governs impulsively.” Makala hiyo inataka kujenga dhana kuwa Rais, Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli anaonekana ameanza vyema ila utawala wake unaongozwa na matukio! Ukiisoma makala hiyo ambayo kwa bahati mbaya au kwa sababu maalum haina hata jina la mwandishi (by-line) utabaini mambo makubwa mawili: kwanza haina utafiti, inaonekana wazi kuwa mwandishi alikurupuka tu akiwa na ajenda yake maalum kichwani. Pili, utabaini kuwa mwandishi ama anaowatumikia ni majeruhi wa mageuzi makubwa anayoendelea kuyaleta Rais Magufuli na kwa hiyo anawasaidia jamaa zake kulialia au anatumiwa na waliokuwa wakifaidika na mifumo dhaifu iliyokuwa awali. Nitaonesha punde kwa nini n...

Opportunities: Rush Now-Rotary Fellowship and MA Scholarships on peace studies

Summary: Each year, Rotary funds some of the world's most dedicated and brightest professionals to study at Rotary Peace Centers. Through training, study, and practice, Rotary Peace Fellows become leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution; many go on to careers in national governments, NGOs, the military, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Are you interested? Click the link below: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/get-involved/exchange-ideas/peace-fellowship-application#eligibility