This archive report was first published on 25 July 2020.
On the passing of Tanzania's third president, Benjamin Mkapa, we reflect not only on the life of a fallen hero but also on the role his country has played in East Africa and the rest of the continent.
As a statesman, Mkapa will be remembered for building the infrastructure for liberalization in Tanzania's political economy after the return of multiparty democracy in 1992. He became the first president under the new dispensation in 1995 and worked with regional leaders to restore the East African Community in 1999.
Under Mkapa's leadership, Tanzania made significant contributions to regional peace and stability, including brokering peace in troubled Southern Sudan, Burundi, and Kenya. His commitment to self-determination and self-reliance has inspired a generation of Africans.
As East Africa mourns, it is essential to remember that Tanzania reflects both the continent's finest hopes and worst fears. The country's founding president, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, embodied the ideals of self-determination and self-reliance, which have guided Tanzania's development.
Ben Mkapa took these ideals to heart, retiring without scandal and admitting when he thought he had failed. He held together a country with over 100 tribes, leaving behind a united nation. His successor, John Pombe Magufuli, continues to build on this legacy, working towards a functional and working nation.
However, Tanzania must also confront its challenges, including a tendency towards overbearing governance and a clampdown on the media and civil society. The country must find a balance between promoting freedom and liberation and addressing corruption and wastefulness.
As we remember Mkapa's legacy, we must also recognize the importance of Tanzania's role in African liberation movements. The country's commitment to self-determination and self-reliance has inspired a generation of Africans, and its legacy continues to shape the continent's future.
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