By Muhsin Ibrahim
John Magufuli, the late Tanzanian president, was undoubtedly a Covid-19 sceptic, authoritarian and populist. Yet, he cared for his country and people and, reportedly, sacrificed his life for them. There are three accounts of the cause of his death. First, it could be the coronavirus. Second, “heart problem”. Third, he might be another “silenced” African leader in the list of Sankara, Lumumba, etc.
Nicknamed “The Bulldozer”, Magufuli initiated many massive infrastructural projects in Tanzania. He scaled down government spendings significantly. He refused to travel beyond a few neighbouring countries, none outside Africa. Other government officials went outside Africa only when it was essential.
He did a lot more for his country and region. He promoted Swahili; he declined to speak any other language anywhere, with anyone. While he, regrettably, muzzled the media and the opposition, he loved his supporters and, literally, listened to their cries and tried his best to solve them. He was, no doubt, a man of the people.
Frankly, I would rather have an autocratic Magufuli than a feeble Muhammadu Buhari whose government lacks any direction. The former might be a strong man with a weak institution; the latter is weak, and so is his institution, too. I believe Africa lost a leader in Magufuli. May Mama Samia Hassan, his successor, succeed where he failed, amin.
May Nigeria prosper, too, amin. 🙂
Muhsin wrote from Cologne Germany
