Rwanda, Tanzania Most Devotee of Rule of Law in EAC

By Staff Writer, Kigali.

Eight factors compiled by the World Justice Project (WJP), an influential non-profit civil society organisation based in the United States of America, have made Tanzania to shovel the second position in East Africa after Rwanda in adherence to the rule of Law, the 2019 Rule of Law Global Index confirms.

The eight factors that made Tanzania to shine in the 2019 Law Global index are: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order & Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice and Criminal Justice.

The constraints on government powers measured Tanzania and other countries the extent to which those who govern are bound by law. It comprises the means, both constitutional and institutional, by which the powers of the government and its officials and agents are limited and held accountable under the law. It also includes non-governmental checks on the government’s power, such as a free and independent press.

Since assuming power in 2016, President Magufuli has been a pioneer and engineer of rule of law always reminding his citizens to abide to the laws across all sectors. On the media sector, despite some noises, Journalists and media stations/ newsrooms enjoy freedom of expression. Currently in Tanzania, there are 216 registered newspapers, 163 radio stations and 36 televisions stations respectively.  No any journalist is in jail or in prison because of publishing or airing critical news against the government, unlike in other countries.

The fight against corruption is intensified in all three forms of corruption: bribery, improper influence by public or private interests, and misappropriation of public funds or other resources. These three forms of corruption were examined with respect to government officers in the executive branch, the judiciary, the military, police, and the legislature.

The Transparency International has ranked Tanzania the second country in East Africa after Rwanda in the war against corruption. The 2018 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report released recently put Tanzania at an average score of 36 points behind Rwanda which has scored 56 points. 

Tanzania which is placed 99^th out of 168 countries in the 2018 Transparency International corruption index has improved because of the efforts made by President Magufuli who has earned himself credibility and acclaim, both in and outside Tanzania, for his fight against corruption.

The 2017 Afro barometer research network, shows that over 70% of Tanzanians believe corruption in the country had decreased “somewhat” or “a lot” in the previous year. This is in stark contrast to the results of a similar survey in 2014, when only 13% reported believed corruption had decreased in the previous year.

 The openness of government defined by the extent to which government shares information empowers people with tools to hold the government accountable, and fosters citizen participation in public policy deliberations. This factor measures whether basic laws and information on legal rights are publicized and evaluates the quality of information published by the government.

Moreover, factor four recognized that a system of positive law that fails to respect core human rights established under international law is at best “rule by law,” and does not deserve to be called a rule of law system. Since there were many other indices that address human rights, and as it was impossible for the Index to assess adherence to the full range of rights, this factor focused on a relatively modest menu of rights that are firmly established under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are most closely related to rule of law concerns. 

Since independence to-date, Tanzania is actively practicing rule of law, expanding its democracy and unwavering commitment and respect to human rights, by among others, acceding and subscribing to international as well as regional human rights instruments. It should be noted that since 1992, Tanzania remains to be among the few countries in Africa that embraces and continues to enjoy peaceful multi-party democracy.

Factor five measured Tanzania and other countries in the globe on how well a country ensured the security of persons and property. Security is one of the defining aspects of any rule of law society and is a fundamental function of the state. It is also a precondition for the realization of the rights and freedoms that the rule of law seeks to advance. It is well known That Tanzania is peaceful and stable than many countries in the world.

The 2018 Global Peace Index Report (GPI) released by The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) Tanzania ranked the 51^st  peaceful country among 163 independent countries in the world whipping out major world economic powers like the US, China, UK and Argentina.

The 2018 Global Peace Index Report (GPI) released by The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) has also ranked Tanzania the ninth ( in Africa) and first peaceful independent country in Africa and East.