COUNTRY IN FOCUS
TANZANIA:
MAGUFULI FLUSHES THE
FLY-BY-NIGHTS
Tanzania offers many opportunities despite negative perceptions, writes
Leon Louw, who visited the country last year.
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As a result of the spat, Magufuli became unpopular amongst
most foreign nationals, although local Tanzanians are full of
praise for their leader. His no nonsense attitude in dealing with
corruption, unethical behaviour and a disregard for Tanzanian
interest, has hit a chord with voters, and his popularity inside the
country (despite claims to the contrary from outside its borders),
seems to be at an all-time high (based on my own interactions
and interviews).
Nevertheless, nothing in Tanzania should be taken for granted.
Magufuli is an enigma and he has prevented surveys about his
(and the opposition’s) popularity being made public. Nobody
really knows or understands his real power and support. In
2018, regional think-tank Twaweza reported survey results
showing a precipitous fall in his popularity. Soon enough,
Twaweza and its executive director Aidan Eyakuze became the
subjects of state harassment. Since then, no new survey reports
have been published, but the president’s ruling party, Chama
Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), scored a landslide victory in the local
elections in November last year, which is a clear indication of
what is likely to happen in the presidential election later this
year. The CCM won almost all of the more than 330 000 local
20
African Mining January 2020
ad publicity, deservedly or not, has hurt the image of
Tanzania and its firebrand president John Magufuli.
Most of it is centred around the president’s tax
dispute with Acacia Mining, which dragged on for more
than two years.
Love him or hate him, if you want to do business in Tanzania and you
don’t like President John Magufuli, get out. Magufuli is expected to rule
Tanzania for at least the next six years.
leadership positions up for grabs during the vote, despite claims
of manipulation by opposition parties. The ballot decided who
would take office at the grassroots of government in villages,
cities and towns across Tanzania.
Magufuli’s reign has become synonymous with uncertainty
and ambivalence, which hampers growth, and that is Tanzania’s
conundrum. Often, it seems that the Magufuli administration
is suspicious, and even hostile to international capitalism.
However, on the rare occasion, they are amiable, understanding,
and keen to lure investors and open up the market.
www. africanmining.co.za