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U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Tanzania is significant in many ways. The US considers Tanzania to be making strides to restore its reputation as a role model of inclusive growth. Harris will hold parleys with Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, and discuss bilateral issues
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Tanzania is significant in many ways. The US considers Tanzania to be making strides to restore its reputation as a role model of inclusive growth. Harris will hold parleys with Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, and discuss bilateral issues.
Hassan is departing from iron-fisted rule demonstrated by her predecessor John Magufuli, who died while in office. She is presently serving his remaining term. The world community is appreciative of some of the stands she has taken, especially lifting the ban on opposition rallies, distancing herself from the authoritarian rule of her predecessor, who never appreciated the dissent, and forcing his political opponents to exile, even though she came to power as a member of the ruling party.
The meeting between two women leaders reflected a show of support for Tanzania, particularly in its efforts to restore democracy in the East African country. It is a noteworthy trend, the US believes that in the midst of a growing trend of becoming authoritarian as evidenced in some fragile democracies in the world, Tanzania is charting a different course and stream. The US believes that this trend should be nurtured and built on to help formant forces that can respect dissent and support democratic institutions.
Upon reaching Tanzania, Harris was accorded a warm welcome. She was in Ghana for a three-day visit, where she also received a rousing welcome. Harris will be spending less time in Tanzania-two nights before she visits Zambia, which is also billed as one country making steady progress towards building democratic institutions.
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Since the last election, Zambian President Hichilema has taken a number of steps toward restoring democracy. For instance, he decriminalized the defamation of the president. This piece of legislation was used to stifle opposition. Zambia, importantly, is co-hosting this week, President Joe Biden’s second Summit for Democracy. Noticeably, the Zambian president has made a recent statement that economic progress was necessary to sustain open societies and went on to explain, in an article written in The Washington Post, that human rights might sustain the spirit but not the body. Analysts were a bit skeptical about the content of the article, doubting the political context and relevance of the article.
