When I was a child, I loved following my mother everywhere she went, whether it was to the shop, the market, or sometimes even to work. Whenever she wanted to leave me behind, she would cleverly instruct me to put on my shoes. But by the time I returned, she had already slipped away.
I would cry and cry, but when she came back, whether, with gifts or empty-handed, I would run to her with open arms, forgetting the small betrayal and the disappointment that had left me powerless.
Now, as I reflect on the promises of resilience, reconciliation, reforms, and rebuilding made by our Head of State, Samia Suluhu Hassan, I can’t help but feel the same way—deceived yet somehow still clinging to hope, even as the reality unfolds tragically differently from what we were led to believe.
Since President Samia assumed power, the 4R philosophy of reconciliation, resilience, reforms, and rebuilding was touted as the guiding framework for her administration.
These pillars were presented as the pathway to healing a nation that had been fractured by years of political strife, economic hardship, and social discord.
At face value, the 4R strategy seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel for many Tanzanians, offering hope for a more open, fair, and democratic society. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
READ MORE: Analysts Fear Samia’s Election Fever May Prolong Tanzania’s Reformist Agenda
Despite the grand promises of change, the situation in Tanzania remains grim, with the 4R appearing more like a smokescreen than a genuine attempt to address the nation’s deep-seated issues. The ongoing human rights violations, suppression of political dissent, and lack of meaningful reforms suggest that the 4R is more illusion than reality.
Failed reconciliation
Reconciliation was supposed to mend the deep political and social divides that had emerged over the years. It promised to bring people together, heal old wounds, and foster a spirit of unity. However, real-time events paint a very different picture.
The recent arbitrary arrest of Freeman Mbowe, the leader of the opposition party CHADEMA, on charges widely viewed as politically motivated contradicts the notion of reconciliation.
Despite being released after prolonged detention, Mbowe’s and CHADEMA’s ordeal has left an indelible mark on the political landscape, reminding everyone that dissent is still met with harsh reprisals.
The continued ban on political rallies further complicates the reconciliation narrative. Under the guise of maintaining peace, this ban stifles political expression and prevents opposition parties from engaging with their supporters.
READ MORE: CCM, CHADEMA Row Over Stalled Reconciliation Talks
This ongoing suppression of political activity raises serious questions about the sincerity of any efforts toward reconciliation. In this context, reconciliation seems reserved only for those who align with the ruling party’s agenda, while others are left to face the consequences of their opposition.
Resilience as illusion
Resilience was intended to cultivate a culture of political tolerance. If someone tweets something offensive, ignoring it won’t diminish your political authority. Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones wisely stated, “Any man who must say, ‘I am the King,’ is no king at all.”
Filing criminal charges to appease a political leader over a disturbing tweet is the equivalent of proclaiming that leader as the King—loudly declaring power where true power would be silent. Threatening people to assert dominance only underscores the absence of real authority.
As part of the 4Rs, resilience should have fostered greater political tolerance, thereby ensuring the full exercise of civil and political rights. These fundamental human rights become tangible when political leaders exhibit tolerance, the missing element in politics that we hoped President Samia’s 4Rs, particularly Resilience, would address. True resilience should be measured by a decline in criminal cases based solely on political opinions.
Consider the recent case of Kombo Mbwana, an opposition party member from Tanga, who was abducted, a fact initially denied by the police until they later admitted to holding him in custody. How do we reconcile this with the fact that Tanzania is now in its third year of implementing resilience as part of its political reform strategies?
Similarly, the abduction of Edgar Mwakabela, who was later found abandoned in the remote forests of Katavi National Park, and the arbitrary arrests of journalists highlight the brutal reality faced by those who dare to dissent.
These incidents are not isolated. Disappearances of political activists and ordinary citizens have become alarmingly common, leaving families in anguish and the public in fear. These events, coupled with widespread reports of police torture, lay bare the fragility of the country’s so-called resilience, undermining any trust the government seeks to build.
These instances reveal that the resilience we were promised was nothing more than an illusion, a narrative constructed to make us complicit in our own oppression. Instead of fostering a society capable of withstanding challenges, the government’s actions have created a climate of fear and mistrust, where people’s resilience is tested not by external shocks but by the very institutions meant to protect them.
The promise of resilience has been twisted into a tool for control, exposing the true nature of the 4R strategy as a facade rather than a genuine path toward national stability and unity.
Deceptive reforms
Reforms were heralded as the key to modernising and improving governance, ensuring transparency, and fostering accountability. However, these reforms appear to be selective at best, and deceptive at worst.
READ MORE: Without Accountability, There’ll Never Be Justice. Nowhere
The much-publicized economic reforms, aimed at boosting foreign investment and improving the business climate, have done little to address the underlying issues of corruption and nepotism.
Additionally, the recent suspension of the government’s plan to allow private sector involvement in the port of Dar es Salaam, a move that was supposed to signal economic reform, has instead shown the limits of these reforms when faced with public scrutiny and political pushback.
Meanwhile, the justice system remains marred by politicisation, with courts often used as tools to suppress opposition voices. For instance, the conviction and subsequent imprisonment of Shadrack Chaula for allegedly burning a president’s portrait is a stark reminder that legal reforms have not extended to protecting freedom of expression.
Instead, they are wielded selectively to maintain the status quo, leaving many Tanzanians disillusioned with the promise of genuine reform.
Rebuilding was the final promise to revitalise the nation’s infrastructure, economy, and social services. While there have been some visible efforts in these areas, the ongoing human rights violations overshadow any progress made.
How can we truly rebuild when the foundation of our society—justice and freedom—remains cracked? The acts of torture by police and the general climate of fear undermine any rebuilding efforts, as a nation cannot truly grow if its people are not free.
Same old story
In many ways, the 4R philosophy feels like the same old story, one that we have heard before. Just as my mother’s promises of gifts made me forget the lies she told, the rhetoric of 4R seems designed to distract us from the harsh realities of ongoing violations and suppression.
The tragic turn of events since the 4R was introduced begs the question: Was it ever meant to be a genuine roadmap for change, or has it always been a carefully constructed façade to maintain the status quo?
As we reflect on the 4R strategy, it is essential to hold the government accountable, not just for the promises made but for the actions taken. True resilience, reconciliation, reforms, and rebuilding cannot coexist with repression, fear, and violence.
If the 4Rs philosophy is to be more than just empty rhetoric, it must translate into tangible change that uplifts and empowers all Tanzanians, regardless of their political affiliations.
To me, politics is not arithmetic; it’s calculus, full of unpredictable variables and moves your opponents cannot see coming. It’s not just about adding things up but navigating the unexpected. How do you want Tanzania’s political future to unfold amid President Samia’s seemingly failed 4Rs?
Rose Yusuph is a lawyer and a concerned citizen, championing equality and access to justice. She can be reached at roseyusuph3@gmail.com. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
