Tanzanian Affairs Text 1 Issued by the Britain-Tanzania Society No 106 Sept - Dec 2013 The Race for the State House President Obama’s Visit Surprises in Draft Constitution Tanzania in a Turbulent World Shangaa - Art Surprising the US Newspaper cover featuring twelve people said to be eying the Presidency. cover photo: Shirt celebrating the visit of President Obama to Tanzania. New cover design - we are trying a new printer who offers full colour. Comments welcome, and please send photos for future covers to
[email protected] David Brewin: THE RACE FOR STATE HOUSE Americans usually start campaigning for the next election contest almost immediately after the completion of the previous one. Tanzania seems to be moving in the same direction. Although the elections are not due until late 2015, those aspirants who are considering standing for the top job are beginning to quietly mobilise their support. Speculation is now rife in political circles on the issue of who will succeed President Kikwete. Unlike some of his opposite numbers in other states, notably Zimbabwe, he is expected to comply with the law and retire at the end of his second term as all his predecessors have done. A number of prominent figures are expected to compete in the elections. One factor which could become crucial is a long established ‘under- standing’ that, if the president is a Muslim, as is President Kikwete, his successor should be a Christian. President Nyerere was a Catholic, former President Mwinyi is a Muslim and President Mkapa is also a Catholic. As both the Christian presidents have been Catholics the large Protestant community might be wondering when its time will come.