All is wellGreetings my dear friends and shareholders,
Zanzibar, which comprises one part of the union known as The United Republic of Tanzania, yesterday got a new President, Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein. He was sworn in yesterday as the seventh President of Zanzibar. He lost no time in assuring Zanzibaris, Tanzanians, and the international community that he would live up to his promise of leading a peaceful, reconciled and united Zanzibar.
As the President of Zanzibar, he is expected to immediately form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Secretary General of the Civic United Front (CUF), Seif Sharrif Hamad as its First Vice-President. This is in keeping with the spirit and conviction of the new Zanzibar Constitution and national accord between the CCM and CUF political parties.
For all of those who may be avid readers of East African political news, the historical political wrangling between CCM and CUF in Zanzibar is no big news -and neither is the peaceful accord that followed the recent election.
Zanzibar is now a peaceful island (not that it was ever really unsafe before) as the many tourists and visitors to Zanzibar will attest. To his credit, President Jakaya Kikwete of The United Republic of Tanzania worked very hard and tirelessly since assuming office in 2005 to bring about the peace accord between the two political parties in Zanzibar. He accomplished this with flying colours earlier this year before his first term in office as President expired.
For those of you who follow international affairs closely and who may continue to wonder about China's unabated rise in global political positioning and power, it is the country's use of what the experts call "soft power". China is quick in using soft power in its relations with developing countries in general and more specifically with countries in Africa.
It comes then as no surprise that China - along with the East African community - were the first sovereign entities in the world to offer their congratulations to Dr. Mohammed Ali Shein following his swearing in. In this regard, China, through its Vice-President, Xi Jinping, sent its congratulatory message.
The congratulatory message from The East African Community was delivered by its prolific and academic Secretary General, Dr. Juma Volter Mwapachu. (For those who are interested, I will make an attempt to have Dr. Juma Mwapachu featured in a few Think Pieces for the President's Corner). Such a quick recognition by China in response to undoubtedly an important event for Zanzibar and Tanzania as a whole is a form of soft power in its own right and of foremost significance. It is a first for Chinese diplomacy in Africa.
For those of you who are interested in the concept of "soft power" I suggest you read Joseph Nye's presentation at the Carnegie Council titled "Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics".
In addition, Joshua Kurlantzick's "China's Charm: Implications of Chinese Soft Power", a Carnegie Endowment Policy Brief, No. 47 (2006) p1, is also a good read. China's fast action in responding to African countries and her quick statements of appreciation and congratulations to their governments partly accounts for its huge success in Africa and in world politics as well.
On the second side of the union, here on the mainland, votes are still being counted five days after the election. This is owing to the challenging infrastructure conditions which would have otherwise eased the collection of voting boxes in remote locations. For those shareholders that visited our Kigosi Project in the Bukombe District, imagining this situation of inadequate infrastructure is not difficult. (With this of course, enormous opportunities for power generation and road building and operation on a PPP basis are available and welcomed by the Tanzanian Government).
Until late yesterday, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and its candidate for President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, were leading by over a million votes. In second place was Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba of CUF followed by Dr. Wilbroad Slaa of Chadema.
The parliamentary elections here have become somewhat more challenging and competitive for CCM. CCM has so far lost 29 seats and the other parties have so far obtained upwards of 50 seats. The parliament of The United Republic of Tanzania has a total of 239 parliamentary seats. CCM has so far secured 147 parliamentary seats. However, a total of 10 CCM Cabinet Ministers have lost their seats.
In my view, the general election was conducted fairly. Parliamentary and Presidential candidates from all parties seem to think so as well based on what they saw and experienced. In fact, they had teams freely visiting the many polling stations countrywide to confirm electoral laws and procedures were being followed.
I myself had the good fortune to visit over 20 voting locations in different parts of Dar es Salaam City on 31st October and can honestly confirm that what I saw was pleasing to the eye. Many other citizen observers reported similar results when I had the opportunity to talk to them after the voting was completed. The few skirmishes that happened a day or two later were owing to the National Electoral Commission being late to announce the results, thereby causing some suspicion among the citizenry.
As a Tanzanian, I know that we are all eagerly awaiting the final count of votes and the subsequent announcement of the results, followed by the eventual swearing-in of the winner. After that process is completed the President will appoint a new cabinet and a new team of advisors so that they can get busy working for Tanzania's development. That is what we voted them in to do for us: To deliver development and other benefits for the Tanzanian people.
So readers, I lived up to my word of writing to you as soon as I could following Tanzania's general elections.
And believe me all is well here in Tanzania!
Joseph Kahama, President
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Company