Written by Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press-Tanzania 2021, will always be remembered in the history of Tanzania as the year the country received its first female president. The country showed a level of maturity in politics on the African continent and the rest of the world at large by having a peaceful transition of power when Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as the new President constitutionally after the sudden death of President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli.
The year that ushered in many changes in Tanzania from being a Coronavirus skeptical to recognizing the Covid-19 pandemic. And it has been a year of development due to many deals signed.
Political Highlights
*Sanctions-* On 19 January, the United States placed visa restrictions on unnamed Tanzanian officials who it said were responsible or complicit in irregularities and violence in the county’s 2020 general elections. According to the U.S, the October election in Tanzania was marred by violence against opposition leaders, internet disruptions, and widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
Vaccines Warning
On 27 January, President Magufuli expressed doubts about the Covid-19 vaccines. He warned the health ministry against rushing to adopt COVID-19 vaccines produced by Western countries., suggesting they may not be safe or effective.
Speculations
On 10 March, opposition leader Tundu Lissu started the speculation of Magufuli being infected with Covid-19, by demanding the news about Magufuli’s health and his whereabouts because he had not been seen in public since 27 February.
Magufuli’s Death
On Wednesday 17 March, President Magufuli was announced dead due to heart conditions, after disappearing from the public for weeks.
*Historical President-* On 19 March Tanzanian Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan 61, made history when she was sworn in as the first female president of Tanzania following the sudden death of President Magufuli. According to Tanzania’s constitution, Ms. Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli’s second term which will expire in 2025.
New dawn
In April, President Hassan ordered the lift on media outlets that were closed under former president John Pombe Magufuli’s administration.
Covid-19 Recognition
Just two months into her presidency, President Hassan recognized the existence of the disease and formed a Covid-19 task force to advise her administration on handling the infractions.
Arrests
In July Tanzania’s main opposition leader for Democracy and Progress party also known as CHADEMA, Freeman Mbowe, and others were arrested before he was scheduled to speak at a conference to announce demands for constitutional reforms.
Economical Highlights
Deal
On 11 April 2021, the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and Tanzania’s president Hassan signed a $3.5 billion agreement for building an oil pipeline that will ship crude oil from fields in western Uganda to the international market.
LNG
In April Tanzania announced its plan of starting the construction of a delayed $30 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project which had stalled for more than a year during President John Pombe Magufuli’s regime.
Cryptocurrencies
In June Tanzanian President Hassan called for the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) to begin the necessary preparations for virtual-cum-cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.
Electric Cars
On 20 October 2021, France Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester launched the environmentally-friendly electric cars by E-Motion Africa in Tanzania, to promote partnership and sharing technology.
New City
In December Tanzania’s President Hassan, laid the foundation stone for the Egyptian industrial city, on the border of the city of Dar es Salaam. It is expected to contain labor-intensive industries, such as pharmaceuticals, automotive industries, textiles, and agriculture, aiming for investments of up to $400 million.
And seeking to attract at least 100 investors from various countries in the region.
Security Highlights
Killings
On 25 August, a heavily armed gunman fatally shot three police officers and a security guard in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, near a French embassy building. Police later killed the man, whose target and motive was not clear.
Opposition Crackdown
During the latest, crackdown police detained nine members of Chadema party and raided the party’s offices in the northern lakeside town of Musoma to block a planned symposium by the youth wing on constitutional change.
Tanzania has not suffered a major terrorist incident since the bombing of the United States embassy in 1998, there have been a number of smaller-scale incidents. In October 2020, close to the border with Mozambique, the attack was claimed by Islamic extremists operating from northern Mozambique. Most attacks target the local security forces, although attacks against western interests are also possible.
In order to secure the country’s security, the government of Tanzania has tried so much to strengthen ties with other countries.
Kenya
In May President Samia and her counterpart President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya pledged to reset diplomatic and trade relations that were strained under Tanzania’s late Magufuli administration.
Burundi
This year President Samia held bilateral talks with Burundian counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye in Tanzanian capital city Dodoma, she vowed to strengthen security along the border with Burundi, and to ensure that the great lakes region is safe and peaceful. Tanzania also signed agreements with Uganda, France, Egypt, and many more.
