As soon as she took the helm in 2021, following the demise of her predecessor, who had posed as a male chauvinistic messiah, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her customary attire and with a calm tone, pronounced her ‘philosophical stance and vision’ of the 4Rs philosophy (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding), complemented by the slogan ‘Kazi Iendelee,’ which can be translated as ‘let the work continue’.
The hysteria was well precipitated amongst the public, academicians and politicians , including very much myself to say the least and be frank. Even though some remained skeptical, a bunch of us fell to another political theatric of CCM and CCM led government. 4Rs – what a wonderful and intriguing coinage we thought.
So exhumed by the autocratic leadership of her predecessor, in the name of democracy, a new dawn is all that we wanted and craved for. In our desperate self, we fell to the pure cheap political stunt.
The 4Rs have been amplified in every platform, style and manner imaginable and unimaginable. Just to offer “praise” where due, I would definitely say, the branding has been exquisite – take note this is sarcastic. In a rather serious note, one ought to pose, to what significance is all this branding?
As much as she may opt to engage in every kind of political delusion, Samia, in great substance, is very much kith and kin to her predecessor. She appeals to state autocracy and has no genuine concern about the principles and standards of democracy. She, just like her peer, has been intoxicated with the strong brew of power; and she now cannot hide as she walks and fumbles with a “low-key” iron fist.
The Praxis of 4Rs
On paper, as earlier mentioned, the 4Rs and their respective framings are so palatable and intriguing. How amazing, thoughtful and hopeful one might be with these themes or mottos or whatever they are.
The aforementioned 4Rs are however a complete decoy, as in practice, the actual 4Rs could be summed up to mean Ridicule, Rhetoric, Retardation and Repression.
As much as this regime positions itself to be reconciliatory, it is undisputed that this is nothing but what a broad day lies. This term and principle – reconciliation – is so misused and misplaced by Samia and her peers.
Political rallies are legal rights and entitlements enshrined under the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. An act of individuals and political parties enjoying their rights can never be celebrated as an extraordinary deed. If we allow such to be the case, then sooner rather than later we would be obliged to celebrate the mere fact that we are alive, even though we have a right to life.
In the course of living the principle of reconciliation, we were adamant to see those who did us wrong and curtailed our rights, during the 5th tier government, repent their sins; and at the same time see legal actions being taken accordingly against the wrongdoers.
Rather than this being the case, we have continued to see prevalence of abductions and torture of politicians and ordinary citizens; we have continued to see political rallies and meetings being disrupted when they are to the inconvenience of the ruling party and government; we have continued to see politicians and ordinary people being frustrated with bogus charges, like the recent case involving Dr. Slaa, a former Ambassador, Member of Parliament and Secretary General of CHADEMA.
Whereas the sixth phase government sings the hymns of reconciliation, the actual R which she dances to is that of Ridicule. The state ridicules political parties with banners all over the country, as the president poses as the conciliator-in-chief with no actual and substantive reconciliation being undertaken. Moreover, they ridicule us; politicians and citizens with banters, as they brag about her being the commander-in-chief.
So ridiculously they insist and order that we be modest in our demands and grateful for what we have been granted, or else the president could actually redirect us to those dark days, as she stresses that she can live to the authoritarian legacy of her predecessor with high standards.
Reform vs Rhetoric
Following the political trauma of the 2019/2020 local and general elections, together with the long overdue plea for a new constitution, there has been an intensified demand for urgent and significant reform in the electoral system.
Once again, we have been subjected to cheap talks on this subject matter. The 2019 local government elections are a sheer testimony to this particular fact. Unashamedly, Samia and her regime pronounced that CCM attained a resounding 99% victory in these particular elections.
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In reality however, these particular elections were a sheer disgrace and disaster for democracy; of which we altogether saw over 80% of the opposition parties’ contestants being unjustly denied, revoked and stripped of their rights to take part in these particular elections. The remaining 20% witnessed a de javu of electoral fraud, suppression and unspeakable acts of injustice, all backed up by the state and its machineries.
Despite being stated and advocated that there will be an “independent” electoral commission, in its arrogant self, backed by the judiciary, the government went on to appoint government officials at the local government level – appointees of the President and affiliates and members of CCM – to be the returning officers in these elections.
So determined to please Samia (their boss) and their respective party (CCM), these government officials cum returning officers were thus nevertheless neither anyhow neutral nor independent. As of effect, we underwent a devastated experience of unfair elections all under the emblem of reform.
What kind of reform is this? Samia has proven that she would merely offer lip service one way and go ahead to act otherwise. All these deceits of reforms, somehow said to be reflected on paper, do not anyhow reflect in practice. On this particular basis, the actual Samia R in this particular note is rather R for Rhetoric and not for Reform.
Our current reality is that we are experiencing continued state-driven elections. It shall forever remain mere rhetoric if and when the state and its machineries continue to meddle in our elections. And this is fact that Samia does not wish to attend to and change, as she is the primary beneficiary to this particular setting.
No matter what reforms may be made in terms of law and policies; they would not be of any substance and consequence to the general public when the deaf ear of the government and state continue to dominate and determine our electoral and democratic system. All such reforms are nonetheless Rhetoric!
Resilience vs. Retardation
Whereas the two above points have been dissected within the political lens and perspective, it is thus worth to analyze and account to these two latter points on the socio-economic standards and perspective.
We surely need resilient communities with resilient economies for resilient and sustainable development. In the course of building resilient communities and economies, one ought to take note of the existing character and nature of our economy.
Our economy, particularly within the urban setting, hosts an abundant number of unemployed youths and women who have opted to challenge their depilating conditions by engaging in informal business – especially through street vending and hawking.
As much as one may despise this particular setting and condition, an ideal and responsible government ought to take note of this reality, understand of the current context and thereon set up resilient structures and systems to facilitate the improvement and advancement of the proactive endeavors undertaken by the people, in the course of advancing their livelihood.
Unfortunately, rather than supporting and amplifying the efforts and initiatives of its people to attain economic relief and prosperity, Samia and her regime, without any sort of sound alternative, have become a thorn and stumbling block to the people. The street vendors have been violently oppressed, and unjustly treated as thugs by local government authorities like what happened recently in Arusha, with their main crime being striving to make a living – survive!
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Whilst being so fond of all the hype and branding, Samia and her team have dedicated themselves towards distorting rather than building resilient communities and economies. Their moves and decision to proclaim hostility against thousands and millions of Machingas and small businesses is a gateway and foundation to the 3rd [R] – Mass Retardation and Regression.
Rebuilding vs. Repression
As for the last R, I would try to be rather brief. One major criticism against Samia’s predecessor is that he distorted the national economy, as he was hostile to investors and big business. As much as I do not wish to currently engage to what extent this is true or not; one thing for certain is that Samia is walking in a different economic path to that of her predecessor.
In her philosophical stunt, she stresses that she is rebuilding the national economy. And her actual approach has been to be a darling to foreign investors at the expense of the actual nationals of Tanzania.
In her quest, we have witnessed massive – yet silenced – mass land evictions and grabbing, all facilitated under the agenda of large-scale investment and in the veil of conservatism. Ordinary citizens in Tabora, Mbarali, Ngorongoro, Kilosa and elsewhere have fallen victims of repression facilitated by state machineries and have become the scapegoats of the fallacy of rebuilding and investment. Key term here and the R word is Repression!
The 10th Edition, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines mediocrity to mean “the fact of being average or not very good” or “a person who is not very good at something”. Sadly, if I were to sum up Samia’s leadership and legacy in one word or phrase, without doubt I would say it is just mediocrity!
Our four years of social, political and economic inconveniences and mediocrity under the Samia and CCM regime are over. We ought to forge a United Front of the political parties, civil societies, activists, academicians and ordinary citizens to rescue our souls and determine our future currently auctioned and placed in ruins by the Samia and CCM led government.
It is either we unite, rise and triumph with a People’s Agenda; or we play arrogant, be overwhelmed with our ego, divide and perish – and let the legacy of mediocrity prevail. The choice is ours!
Dorothy Semu is the Party Leader of ACT Wazalendo, a political party in Tanzania, who can be reached via dorothysemu@gmail.com. These are the writer’s own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
