Edward Qorro - Guardian On SundayONE of Tanzania’s leading founding fathers of opposition politics, Edwin Mtei, has lavished praise on President John Pombe Magufuli, describing him as a serious leader Tanzanians should count on for exemplary guidance.
Mtei, the country’s first governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) and former Finance minister in Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s administration, has described Magufuli as a leader who has dedicated his life to confronting problems Tanzania faces as a result of gross mismanagement of the country's economy and resources.
The 84-year-old veteran politician and founder of the country's biggest opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), has commended President Magufuli for his no-nonsense approach to dealing with corrupt public officials and for making it clear that the problems he was now addressing were caused by past regimes.
Mtei compared President Magufuli to founding president Julius Nyerere when it came to seriousness in dealing with significant and burning national issues.
"We've inflated the economy so much because of the losses this country has been incurring over the years due to bad leadership, and I can't be happier to see Magufuli addressing such problems," explained Mtei in an exclusive interview with the Guardian on Sunday at his Shangarai home in Arusha, which sits on his 52-acre coffee plantation.
The former BoT governor, who fell out with Mwalimu Nyerere while he was minister for Finance over his attempts to devalue the shilling in tune with policies rolled out at the time by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a move that led to his subsequent resignation, faulted past regimes for embracing corruption and turning a blind eye to the country's otherwise rich resources which could have alleviated poverty levels in the country some long time ago.
Mtei, who also served as secretary general of the first East African Community (EAC) which came to a sad end in 1977, said past regimes paid scant attention to local industries and productivity, something he said dragged the country backwards.
"Magufuli is righting the past wrongs and I'm happy to see Tanzanians being given back their land and the reviving of local industries. With the discovery of oil and gas Tanzania will one day become a country to reckon with in the region," remarked the veteran politician.
According to Mtei, Tanzania was trying to catch up with its regional neighbours, expressing optimism that it was only a matter of a few years before the country left behind economic powerhouses like Kenya and Rwanda.
"This is because the government has recognised and acknowledged the importance of optimal exploitation of resources...and with our currency becoming stronger by the day, we shall in the not too distant future become one of the greatest nations in the region," he said.
Mtei insisted that the country would be on the right path towards development only when there was full utilization of its resources and manpower.
Commenting on the recent exit by Britain from the European Union, Mtei said Tanzania would not be largely affected by the move, stressing that the country still had stronger economic ties with other European countries such as Germany.
The architect of the country's central bank said Brexit would serve as a stark reminder to Tanzania's total dependence on some European powerhouses.
Asked to comment about achievements his party had registered since its establishment, Mtei could not hide his pleasure on seeing the ruling party, CCM, adopting policies his party envisioned.
The veteran politician said he was proud to see the party he founded giving the ruling party a run for its money since the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in the 1990s.
“I’m happy to see CCM adopting our manifestos. The ruling party is living our time - and that is how a country should be run…CCM has become Chadema in action,” Mtei remarked.
Mtei was however quick to point out what he described as alarm at the deteriorating levels of democracy following the government’s decision to ban live telecasts of parliamentary sessions and the prohibition of public rallies by the opposition.
“We have evolved a system where in order for the state to neutralize the opposition, the police are called in. This is utterly unhealthy for the country,” he cautioned.
According to Mtei, CCM should not use force in quashing the opposition.
He also had some advice for the government following recent disappearance of sugar from the market, saying it should have resolved the situation by importing surplus sugar from other countries.
Even at 84, the veteran politician maintained that he had not quit active politics, adding that some Chadema cadres and other politicians often visited his humble abode to seek his advice.
“At times they (Chadema members) hold their meetings in my backyard…I’m very proud to be part of the multiparty dispensation in this country,” he quipped.
