Tanzania in 2007

With no major challenges from the notoriously weak opposition forces, the second year of the presidency of Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete confirmed the continued undisputed dominance of the ruling party, ‘Chama cha Mapinduzi’ (CCM, Party of the Revolution). The term ‘fourth phase government’ denoted uninterrupted CCM rule with only four presidents over the 45 years since independence. The government continued to pursue its strategy of cautious socioeco- nomic reforms. The economy performed relatively well and there were no significant problems in foreign relations.

Domestic Politics

The situation was characterised by increasing public frustration over the performance of Kikwete’s government, which had been elected in December 2005 with overwhelming popular support. It had gen- erally been expected that the new government would fulfil its elec- toral promises and tackle the country’s many problems, especially the endemic corruption and poverty and the persistent political im- passe in Zanzibar. As was already apparent in 2006, enthusiasm for the government continued to dwindle and reached even lower levels during 2007. An opinion poll by a university programme, Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET), conducted in October revealed that Kikwete still enjoyed relatively high, although decreased support, whereas there was great discontent with the per- formance of his administration. After only one year in office, Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro was surprisingly appointed UN deputy secretary general on 5 January. This appointment was greatly welcomed throughout the country, as she was already the third Tanzanian woman to be appointed to a high-ranking international position. On 11 January, the deputy

© koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2019 | doi:10.1163/9789004407879_005 46 tanzania in 2007 minister of energy and minerals, Bernard Membe, was appointed to take over from Migiro. Membe had been working in the minis- try of foreign affairs when Kikwete was foreign minister. Kikwete promoted the deputy minister of planning, economy and empow- erment, Batilda Salha Burian, as minister of state in the prime min- ister’s office (parliament), taking over from the late Juma Akukweti, who died of the injuries he sustained in a plane crash on 4 January. Further accidents involving members of the cabinet and the par- liament were blamed on the poor condition of the transportation infrastructure. Kikwete repeatedly declared he was determined to resolve the persistent political impasse in Zanzibar. Efforts to reach a new agree- ment continued behind closed doors throughout the year. Only pe- riodically was the public informed about the ongoing negotiations. A new round of talks between the secretaries general of CCM and the strongest opposition party, Civic United Front (CUF) began on 17 January. Surprisingly, the talks no longer involved the two govern- ments, as was the case in 2006. Apparently returning to the strat- egy of his predecessor Benjamin Mkapa, Kikwete focused on direct negotiations between the two rival parties. This may have been an indication that CCM Zanzibar was perceived to be the main obsta- cle to a lasting solution, and CCM’s island-wing was no longer di- rectly included in the talks. In mid-August, CUF Chairman Ibrahim Lipumba was quoted in the media as complaining that 18 months of negotiations had led down a blind alley. He accused CCM hard- liners of obstructing any changes or amicable solutions and called for international pressure on the ruling party. Kikwete reacted promptly, stating that the joint negotiation committee had held 12 meetings since January. He explained that agreements had been reached on three of the five items on the agenda. Talks continued on 31 August after a two-month standstill. In late November, CUF Secretary General Seif Shariff Hamad called for patience and under- standing among Zanzibaris, predicting that negotiations with CCM would soon be concluded. He hailed Kikwete for ­demonstrating