TWO YEARS OF PRESIDENT SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN
Today, March 19th, marks Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan's two year mark as the President & Commander-In-Chief of the United Republic of Tanzania.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan came into power after the death of her predecessor due to heart complications. It marked the first time in history Tanzania faced the death of a sitting Head of State.
One can appreciate the strength of our institutions and the discipline of our security apparatus to ensure that the Constitution was honored at a time when the country could have easily been infiltrated by opportunistic and rogue elements.
With that being said, the rest as they say is history. Here are ten highlights (according to me) of the President's time in office:
1. COVID-19 response: One of the first actions taken by President Samia was to change the country's approach to COVID-19. President Samia encouraged a more science-based approach.
She formed a committee of experts to advise on the pandemic response and urged the public to follow guidelines such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.
President Samia has recognized the importance of investing in health care workers and has implemented policies aimed at improving their working conditions and increasing their pay.
2. Diplomacy: One of the first actions the President took after taking office was open up the country which had taken a policy of isolationism under her predecessor.
She has made several state visits to Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Egypt, Mozambique, Ghana, Oman, China and South Africa.
She has also attended several international conferences including The SADC Emergency Summit, 41st Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, 76th UN General Assembly, 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, The One Planet Summit 2022, 6th EU-AU Summit, Wold Innovation Summit for Health 2022, WEF 2023 and others.
As a foreign affairs enthusiast it delights me to see the country trying to regain its spark in the international stage and its relevance in African and geopolitics.
3. Democracy: President Samia has also engaged in dialogue with opposition leaders and invited them to participate in important government events. She has also held meetings with other opposition leaders to discuss issues of national importance.
President Samia also announced the lifting of a ban on political rallies and other public gatherings that had been in place since 2016. This move was seen as a step towards opening up political space and allowing opposition parties to campaign freely.
The President was recently the guest of honour at the Women's wing of opposition party Chadema's Women's Day celebrations. It marked the first time in history where the President attended a function organized by the leading opposition party.
4. Economic Reform: One of the key reforms that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has implemented is to improve the country's business environment by reducing red tape, streamlining procedures, and making it easier for investors to do business in Tanzania. This is aimed at attracting more foreign investment and creating more jobs for Tanzanians.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also initiated several measures aimed at promoting agriculture, which is one of the country's key sectors. These include providing subsidies to farmers, investing in irrigation infrastructure, and encouraging private sector investment in the sector.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also prioritized infrastructure development, including investing in roads, railways, and ports. This is aimed at improving connectivity within the country and making it easier for businesses to transport goods.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also introduced measures aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, including providing low-interest loans and tax breaks. This is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and creating more jobs.
5. Women's Rights and Gender Equity: President Samia has pledged to promote women's rights and gender equality in Tanzania. She has appointed a number of women to key government positions and has spoken out against gender-based violence.
As a citizen I always believe that the success of our leaders is all of our success. Here is to wishing President Samia Suluhu Hassan a successful 2023 ahead and hope she engages we the youth in dialogue towards a brighter future for Tanzania.
