Is Magufuli an Impulsive Mad Dictator?
If fighting corruption makes Magufuli a mad dictator, Africa needs more mad dictators at the helm.
President John Magufuli has been a darling of ordinary Africans and he has massive support throughout the continent and better yet, in his own Tanzania. He is seen as the saviour of the poor, the one man who has given himself to the fight against the corrupt systems of governance that the continent was now used to. That he comes from CCM, a party not particularly famous for being democratic and prudent in its dealings only makes him more remarkable.
This is the party that the Economist called “thuggish and
undemocratic” yet Magufuli rises against all odds to become the one man
who is pruning the Tanzanian system of destructive elements. It
therefore comes as a shocker that he would have to defend himself
against the charge of being a mad dictator. In response to these
allegations, President Magufuli said, “I have decided that this country
will move ahead, and it will move ahead. The measures I’m taking are
aimed at saving this country. I’m not a madman or a dictator…there are
bizarre things going on in the government which I cannot tolerate…I must
take action.”
Who has been saying Magufuli is an impulsive dictator?
It is not the ordinary poor people of Tanzania who have been complaining about Magufuli. It is the opposition and the elite through various publications. Writing for The Independent (Kampala), Andrew Mwenda said he thought of Magufuli as a stuntman not a reformer. He said, “In many ways, Magufuli’s actions are not any different from the many pronouncements Museveni made in 1986-to buy furniture from Kawempe, to rule only for four years, and to abandon the presidential jet. And many coup makers in Africa have made them.” In his thinking, Magufuli’s seemingly extra-ordinary sort of leadership is nothing new. It has been seen before and it only lasted a few years.
Museveni for example largely broke all of his fantastical promises
and proclamations. The argument is also that the fight against
corruption and vices in government has been personalised with limited
institutional backing. This has left the fight against corruption a
personal one dominated by impulse and arbitrariness. This impulse is
also the subject of the Economist’s Government by gesture piece which
quotes a political opponent of Magufuli who says, “What Africa needs is
strong institutions, not strong men and women.” Understandably, Kabwe
would not readily support Magufuli and is on record for saying, “Slowly
the country is heading towards a One Man Show and all others Presidents’
Men.”
Without rushing to dismiss the criticism as sour grapes, there is
concern over the one-man battle he has been fighting which has a risk of
promulgating a system of patronage if he does not handle it with tact.
This is however simply a potential risk and not a reflection of what
transpires in the country. It might end up being true that the motives
will be innocent and well-meant yet the implementation and execution
creates undesirable consequences. There is need for him to keep
strengthening the Anti-Corruption body and the judiciary as he has
started doing so he does not end up being the centre of everything.
However, a question should be raised about the whole criticism of
having weak institutions and strong men and women. Is it not the strong
men and women who constitute strong institutions? Is it not also true
that he who is at the apex should lead the rally and show resolve and
determination to pluck out corruption, otherwise all institutions will
emulate his lazy approach if he is not seen as assertive? After all, the
argument does not hold much water as the firing of Edward Hosea, the
Director General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau
(PCCB) was a move towards strengthening the country’s anti-corruption
body after years of disappointingly slow responses to corruption. He
also chided the judiciary for failing to play its part in the anti-graft
war, offering a carrot to those judges who have done their jobs
diligently.
Is this a man keen to hoard all the power and fight the war alone?
Instead of standing by and complaining that he is fighting alone, people
should join him in the fight. As for the impulsive nature of the
President, on a scale of priorities, it seems the well-being of the
state should be a bigger priority than formalities and processes.
Convoluted and winded procedures end up defeating the cause if they are
given precedence over the bigger picture of fighting corruption.
President Magufuli sees the attacks as emanating from the quarters of
people who are not prepared for change. People who are the culprits;
the beneficiaries of the corrupt system of yesteryears. Addressing a
contractors’ registration board meeting in Dar es Salam, President
Magufuli declared, “If you see people wondering, it is because they are
used to business as usual. They thought I will be part of them. Never!
Not me! I better give up the presidency and return to the village than
being a President and entertain the rot that is in this country. I am
saying never.”
If fighting corruption makes Magufuli a mad dictator, Africa needs
more mad dictators at the helm. The claim that fighting corruption
affects economic development for whatever reason is fallacious. Economic
indications show there is confidence in the administration and
Tanzania’s investment climate remains favourable. Any allegations to the
contrary are malicious and shallow propaganda.
May the Lord bless Africa, God Bless Tanzania, Amen
May the Lord bless Africa, God Bless Tanzania, Amen
Is Magufuli an Impulsive Mad Dictator?
Reviewed by WANGOFIRA
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