Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Benjamin William Mkapa died on July 24, 2020. The news was confirmed by current President John Pombe Magufuli, who declared a seven-day mourning period.
Benjamin Mkapa served two terms, from 1995 to 2005, in the highest office of the Republic of Tanzania. He combatted corruption during his presidency, notwithstanding some criticism. In 2002, the African Association of Political Science at Michigan State University praised the pragmatic approach of the Mkapa administration toward corruption. At the same time, the organization believed that Mkapa’s government did not effectively rid Tanzania of corruption. Mkapa’s presidency was a time of economic growth for Tanzania. In an after action review of the Mkapa presidency by The New Humanitarian, an independent reporting agency focused on humanitarian crises, noted that Mkapa’s administration brought “significant economic progress” to Tanzania. Inflation went from 27.1% in 1995 to 4% in 2004. At the time, Mkapa’s political opponents pointed out that “a huge proportion of Tanzania’s 36 million people earn less than $1 day [sic],” and economic progress was only a “mirage.” Mkapa made a strong mark on the region before and during his presidency. The Reuters article on Mkapa’s death discusses how he “led several regional peace mediation initiatives and afterwards continued to seek reconciliation in Burundi, Kenya Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region” (Dausen). Many consider him a “pan-Africanist”, helping to negotiate the revival of the East African Community. With well-wishes coming from around the world, Benjamin William Mkapa is not a figure to be forgotten very soon. His presidency helped shape Tanzania and its neighbors into the countries they are today. Works Cited AfricaNews. "Tanzania's Former President Benjamin Mkapa Dies at 81." Africanews, 24 July 2020, www.africanews.com/2020/07/24/tanzania-s-former-president-benjamin-mkapa-dies-at-81/. Accessed 26 July 2020. Heilman, Bruce, and Lawrean Ndumbaro. "Corruption, Politics and Societal values in Tanzania: An evaluation of the Mkapa administration's anti corruption efforts." African Journal of Political Science, vol. 7, no. 1, 2002, pp. 7-15. Salaam, Dar E. "Mkapa Leaves a Socialist State More Liberalised." The New Humanitarian, 13 Dec. 2005, www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2005/12/13/mkapa-leaves-socialist-state-more-liberalised. Secretary-General. Secretary-General Expresses Deep Sadness Upon Death of Benjamin William Mkapa, Former President, United Republic of Tanzania. United Nations, 2020, www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20188.doc.htm. Wakabi, Michael. "Benjamin Mkapa, Diplomat and Regional Peacemaker, Dies at 81." Daily Nation, 25 July 2020, www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/africa/benjamin-mkapa-diplomat-and-regional-peacemaker-dies-at-81-1905906.
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As of July 9, 2020, the African Union has started collaboration regarding Coronavirus recovery and the plans of distribution for a vaccine across the continent.
After a virtual conference was held by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union developed CONCVACT (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Consortium for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial) which would help “limit transmission, prevent deaths and lay the foundation for socio-economic recovery that should bring Africa’s integration agenda back on track” (African Union CDC). These goals would be achieved through the following measures:
This plan has already been approved by the African Ministers of Health in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the Bureau of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government on 26 March 2020 (African Union CDC). Collaboration and coordination illustrated in the CONCVACT plan is truly amazing and will help ensure a global, healthy future for the African Union. Works Cited “African Union Commission Launches Consortium for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial.” Africa CDC, 9 July 2020, africacdc.org/news-item/african-union-commission-launches-consortium-for-covid-19-vaccine-clinical-trial/. |