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Facts The Economist Got Them Wrong on Magufuli


DAR ES SALAAM, East Africa: 

By Dr. Hernan Louise Verhofstadt*


A BIT like President Donald Trump, Tanzania’s president, John Magufuli, likes to fire employees on television. In November Mr. Magufuli used a live broadcast from a small town in the north of the country summarily to dismiss two officials,” this is an extract from a recent online article I came across from the newspaper that I admired when I was growing up in Europe back in 1990’s; the Economist.


Before I venture into other serious issues, the excerpts above contains gross factual errors; my own fact-check indicates that in the named public rally during the opening of Kagera Airport, there was no summary dismissal of the two officials instantly on television, as alleged. Instead, the two, one District Executive Directors for Bukoba Urban and another for Rural were relieved their duties later through a press release from President’s Office. 


This is my prima impressio reading the Economist this week, a publication known for its top notch ethical and analytical standards, that has now vanished into a hell of sensational journalism, half baked facts, lack of objectivity and a clear sense of bias.


Contrary to the fact deprived article, it is my candid observation that to objectively critique Magufuli’s presidency in the circumstances of the transformation he is doing for his people in Tanzania, requires the level of conscious that is unfortunately lacking in the current editorial team at the Economist.


Living in Tanzania for close to half a decade now, it makes me a better eye-witness than the Westminster based editorial team. To say the least, this man Magufuli rose into power in a country that was downed by massive corruption scandals, political demonstrations that caused deaths and worse enough he found media fraternity that was being corrupted to work for interest groups.


In my stay here before and after his presidency, I have witnessed real transformation, his work is exemplary and fascinating one.  Everybody here—may be just like what Theresa May is doing in London and what Trump is focusing in Washington, is aware that Tanzania is on the move towards pro-people development; something the Economist is unhappy for and would frame it with usual western biases; suppression of democracy, violation of press rights etc etc!


Under Magufuli’s “rogueness” I have seen leaders going into prison or dismissed for lack of action in protecting public funds, I’m seeing public service regaining its lost fame and massive social projects being implemented across the country-sadly the Economist would reduce all these far-fetching achievements to nothing but “rogueness.” 

Magufuli's diplomatic acumen cannot be underestimated; He meets Israel Defense Minister in Dar es Salaam

As a European social-worker who had a rare opportunity to experience the real lives of the people in downtown Tanzanian cities and villages, I may not be best placed to analyze all of the Economist’s wrong facts about Tanzania, but for the sake of truth-an important cardinal principle in social as well as medical science, I co-own the truth of some of the major reforms on the ground and this is my scent on some of the issues raised:  

Magufuli’s impossible tax demands

Looking at this allegation, in the Economist team, there seems to exist a general knowledge gap. Various reports from World Bank, IMF and other international institutions and pro-development authors have pointed to how Africa is grabbed of its mineral reserves. One author, in this regard, went far to coin the term: “development without development.”


What Magufuli is doing, is to come up with policies and leadership approaches to rescind the situation in Tanzania. Acacia, who seems to enjoy warm protection from the Economist story, after prolonged discussions and confronted with impeccable evidence on their wrong doings, bowed down to negotiate and reached a better “21st Century” deal. Why is the Economist so pained by this? Now many countries in Africa are coming up with such huge bills. 


How can the once pro development Economist be unhappy with a young and poor nation striving and trying to reap what is due for its people? If Acacia/Barrick settled to pay, albeit part of the claim, then what is impossible tax demand mean?   

Pregnant girls to be kicked out of school

Upon reading some of the excerpts, I wished I could sponsor editors of the Economist to come to Africa and learn the practical lessons before writing sensational half-truths. Seems no one ever knows that one of the critical social issues in the Continent is early marriages and pre-mature pregnancies.


To see a leader confronting these issues with a view to encourage parents and students to work together to prevent early pregnancies is something to loud the government of Tanzania. I wonder, a western media trying to challenge these efforts to impose its own persona on a different culture, what do we want to achieve?


In my childhood I studied around Elephant and Castle in the UK; at one time we heard about 20,000 under 18’s went pregnant in a year, later on, few secured a chance to return to school. In Tanzania, and some other African countries, the number could go by far beyond UK in a year.


With such stats, you don’t need a civilized western media to teach you what to do than support stern measures by the “Rogue President,” well intended to protect young girls from engaging into sexual life before the coming of age to enjoy their right to education.


Locked immoral musicians who criticize him


This is a fact that the Economist may need to prove to its esteemed audiences. I’m not a keen music fan, but I’m able to comprehend events in Tanzania and never heard of a musician who was “locked up” for criticizing Magufuli.


Like any other country, Tanzania is grappling with issues of morals and ethics in its society. Use of obscene language and pornography are some of the immoral that irks many music lovers in this part of the world. Government has taken steps to ban some from TV and redio airings. This is standard. Its everywhere.

"Democracy and political rallies


Like in music, I may also not be better placed to justify or condemn the banning of political rallies but just to share with my fellows in the Economist; I once had to quit my social work in Arusha, the Northern tourist city, due to insecurity when opposition parties were allowed to conduct prolonged demos.


It is their civil rights which I have no doubt about it-but shops were being closed, businesses deteriorated and tourism suffered, as dozens of people lost lives in the ensuing violence and incidents of planted bombs.


I have never been back to Arusha since then, but listening to stories of how the once lost glory is back to the city after controlled political rallies, makes me thrilled to read somebody from London crying advocating for more political demonstrations!   


  Economy is Grinding


A mesmerizing phrase in the Economist’s article about Tanzania goes: “Rather than being freed from corruption, the economy is grinding to a halt under the weight of arbitrary tax demands.”


Reading the phrase it would cling to one’s mind that someone authoring the article is vividly a bonafide member of the pool of victims of Magufuli’s justifiable crusade on mineral resources. How can, serious a journalist, make such analogy; arbitrary tax demands and dwindling economy?” 

His negotiation skills: Agreed a deal to settle Acacia's huge tax bill by meeting top Barrick bosses who own Acacia Tanzania. Barrick will reimburse Tanzania and reform ownership of Acacia.
Yes, in Tanzania, I have heard stories of some businesses closing down due to new tax systems, still high bank interest rates as well as dwindling foreign exports. On the other hand, there are good stories too; ranging from how the country has scored high in monthly revenue collection, the Investment Center is recording huge number of new foreign investors, Africa’s wealthiest man Dangote’s cement plant is already launched and hundreds of new industries are blossoming up and the economy is steadfastly above 6 percent for the last 10 years.

Be aware: Magufuli's focus on infrastructure is unique, he has just inaugurated construction of a multi-billion Dollar modern standard gauge railway, thanks to improved own internal revenue sources.
The new Standard Gauge Rail construction is on as the country further embarks into a 2,100 megawatts historic power project along the Rufiji River Basin—of course I’m opposed to the latter on environmental consideration but I do realize the vision of the President and stand with the people of Tanzania.


It needs courage-but above all vendetta backed type of journalism to be bold enough to undermine and under write positive transformations happening in Tanzania under Mr. Magufuli in support and in favour of isolated incidents which are peculiar to the nature of politics in Tanzania and other neighbouring geo-politics.  


*The author is a Belgian health expert working with an international NGO in EAC countries who is currently ending his tenure in Tanzania. He has worked with poor communities for four years now.

Comments

  1. Nice reading other people perspective of what is going in in Bongo Land. Kudos JPM.!

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  2. This author has shown high degree of objectivity. In fact Magufuli is transforming this country and in so doing few people must be hurt.

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    1. Very true, and who the president has chosen to suffer? I should list some such as fake politicians, fake journalists, fake businessmen, fake projects, fake public servants etc... though as normal civilian we should accept some hardships and challenges while JPM straighten the line of duty.

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  3. The point of correction to the author is Magufuli is a PHD holder so he is Doctor Magufuli and not Mr. Magufuli,

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    1. A point of correction to you. Doctor is used for medical related. Magufuli can be called Dr. Magufuli because he is a medical doctor. Not because of a Philosophy degree.

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    2. Madam, I know you watched OPRA, AND DR. PHIL. INCIDENTALLY HE HAS A Phd in Psychology, a Talk Therapy Dr. HE Dr. Maguguli, hasba PhD in even harder Sciences Chemistry, now go figure. The same what the Author is trying to wake you'll.

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    3. Having a PhD, myself, Mr. President has duo entitlements. He is "Mr", as any other man, and he is a Dr, by the virtual of being a Doctor of Philosophy. A medical practioner is a Doctor of Medicine, that of Mr. President is something different, though sharing the prifix.

      Anyway, the prefix carries less value, but his output does...

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  4. This article has shown the truth of what Mr. President Magufuli doing but those who has private beneficiary try to let down Mr president.

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    1. Fact will remain unchanged. He is the best at least.

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  5. Apart from English vocabularies, this article Is a crap, I will use to expand the deposit of English words into my head only

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    1. Becore you call this article a crap, give out and own your oponion first. Otherwise you are positioned yourself as a crap

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  6. Dr. Verhofstadt, thanks for sharing your well researched and through insight. I, too was amazed on how a Economist got it wrong at this day in age. President Magufuli's reforms and transformation is contrary to what western media has been portraying most African leaders. I hope someone at the Ecomist read this piece. We need more Magufulis for Africa. Again, great read. Thank you.

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    1. President Magufuli he is doing his job, some one from the Economist should read this article for sure!!

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  7. I totally agree to the article. My presumption toward Economist article is someone cooked up through his own mind as the fact of his/her involvement in some dubious scandals within the Country.

    Western Media should learn how to balance stories before they publish.

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  8. This is well rounded analysis as compared to the narrow minded and myopic article that was allowed to tarnish the efforts of the president as well as the "Economist" as a well respected magazine. I am sure the author of the piece on the magazine intended to reach his audience to reinforce the common narrative that always prompt negative westKern scrutiny. There has not been a president in Tanzania and possibly Africa who has achieved so much in such a short period of time. There will always be detractors including the opposition who seem to lack a roadmap for uplifting the Tanzania poor other than daily complains. For the author of this article you have earned my respect and thank you sir.

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  9. This is well rounded analysis as compared to the narrow minded and myopic article that was allowed to tarnish the efforts of the president as well as the "Economist" as a well respected magazine. I am sure the author of the piece on the magazine intended to reach his audience to reinforce the common narrative that always prompt negative westKern scrutiny. There has not been a president in Tanzania and possibly Africa who has achieved so much in such a short period of time. There will always be detractors including the opposition who seem to lack a roadmap for uplifting the Tanzania poor other than daily complains. For the author of this article you have earned my respect and thank you sir.

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  10. Dear Author thank you for saying it all. Dr.Magufuli is Real DEAL !

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  12. First thing that went through my mind after i read the [economist] article was a posibility of the editor battling selective amnesia.
    Thank you Dr. Herman for the great piece. Well articulated, coherent with a neutral view point.

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  13. That's fact!..Dr magufuli is doing his best to bring back Tanzania's lost fame!

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  14. Need I say more? This article is the best point of view on what is the "truth" about the bulldozer Dr. Magufuli. Thank you

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  15. If The author could translate this to swahili,it could be of great contribution to our "poor people" who never seek the truth rather they are being dragged around by "selfish politicians"
    As Tanzanians, if we want development we need to "die a little" rather than embracing our poor comfort zone.
    Lets atleast support a man who try to take us to somewhere better..

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  16. He has hit the nail on the head

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  17. There is no good without critique. ....the old man is doing his best. Dr.Mr.Hn President JPM you got my VOTE 2020

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  19. good one-sided article but sounds too reactive. Balanced article would be very proactive and educative.

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  20. Dr. Herman, you have written a very clear message which should bring into enlightenment about His Excellency President Magufuli's initiative since he was sworn in two years ago. The beauty about the truth, it never hides. Eventually, facts and figures will unveil the truth which some westerners don't like to see, hear and smell. VIVA JPM

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  21. Well Said and I hope people like you Mr Herman are very important because you express fact and eliminate fiction from Economist magazine. The magazine took advantage and wrote fiction story based on western mentality to fool some Tanzania’s. It’s not right to the people of Tanzania and I hope the will learned that’s people nowadays are not stupid anymore

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  22. Written defensively with a proposition.

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  23. Written defensively with a proposition.

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  24. Its easy to speak your opinion from where you are seating most especially when you have not experienced the short comings of his rule first hand.
    I do agree with some of your statistics though.
    But...What about democracy...what about the alledged detentions of activitists and the massive shootings of the TLS President who is now abroad attending to his gun shot wounds.
    I believe his police has a duty to protect all citizens. . .
    Its just weird that the persons are still unknown to date.
    What about the shut down of multiple bank branches.
    . . .his policies keep changing daily and he is not consistent.
    Worse still he discriminates.
    I dont doubt his motives for a better nation but he should slow down and get a deep understanding of the solution before creating a bigger menace with the solutions.
    Time is wasted and a lot of funds.
    Allegations that strong oppositions are subject to a wild
    Witch haunt before they are rescued only to join his political party!!
    I think you should broaden your research!!
    People dont cry for nothing
    Policies on education are cripling us down...

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  25. In fact what they did was 100% wrong. Magufuli is doing something good to his people.

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    1. You are right, he is doing something good. But stay assured that the approach is unsustainable. What Magufuli is doing now was done by the nation's founder, Mwalimu Nyerere and we all know what the 1980's economic crisis did to his approach until we (Tanzania) were forced into the Structural adjustment programme. When things were too hot for Nyerere to swallow, he voluntarily stepped down. Mkapa did it in late 1990's, rising to presidency via a 'Mr. Clean' platform. Five years later, Mkapa's regime was strangely entangled by the very corrupt networks he was determined to fight. The same trend is coming through over Magufuli's regime, unless he takes on board a different approach.

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  26. I thought the article could be more on long term effect based on the economic policies established under his regime which has direct effect to the majority of the citizen such as Tax collection, national debt, inflation rate, living standard and other matters which has direct impacts to the normal citizen. The article could be more on encouraging normal citizen about the economic impacts for this transformation. With the additions the article could come up with the examples of the countries which passed the same path as Tanzania economically in the past.

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  27. Refusing girls to go back to school after pregnancy is the way forward to stop underage pregnancies?
    Opposition leaders getting jailed, shot or killed.
    Media close down..
    Which Tanzania are you talking about?
    Looks like someone got paid to defend the government, don’t fool the world about Tanzania. Thank you to social media we can see who is telling the truth!

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  28. As a foreign resident here, who receives press excerts sent from my friends back in Europe, I have been surprised on how allot of foreign press get it so wrong. I don't how or why, but can see and relate to this article.....they need to come and see as the author states, not write from there European offices.

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  29. Go to Herman Louise Verhofstadt Twitter account people: this is Fake New

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  31. The very title of the article irritated me, because of its crooked construction. My irritation got worse as I read the article, again because I cannot countenance poor writing. I noted the points made, but also serious omissions. Finally, taking my cue from the last comment above, I have checked twitter and seen that this article is dubious, if not outright fake. I wonder what happened to ethics.

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  33. Yes¸ and it is Okay that the Tanzania’s democracy which is the multi-party one has not worked and won’t work for the best expectations of its multi-tribal and cultural society of a majority of incompetent voters is under the assault of the 5th phase government which won’t entertain the interference's of the unproductive amateur politics of the very insignificant Opposition as it is struggles to institute the right course of self-reliance and industrial based socioeconomic development.

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  34. Do u really live and work in tanzania or are u perched in a perfumed apartment somewhere in posta? Or better yet. What were u smoking when u came up with this bullshit? Very one sided opinion. Half baked facts....when was this political rally in arusha that tore everything up? I never heard of it. A few businesses closed down? How about alot, research. U seem to be supporting the political lockdown in the country, curbing free speech and media (try writting a criticism, jus for research and see if you dont get shipped off back to england). Banning pregnant girls from attending school, you are ok with that? How old are u? 210?
    My friend you seem to have missed the obvious truth about this regime. Plz research. I really doubt you are who you claim to be

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