On many things, Magufuli was right. Projects could be done cheaper, and there was rampant waste and corruption within the government. He wrestled political power from a lethargic civil service and was unafraid to shame his own administrators on the ground for issues raised by citizens. He was, in fact, unafraid to shame anyone.
He was also confident even when he was wrong, and he was wrong a lot. The Covid-19 pandemic denialism remains the biggest blot on his era as president, but it is not the only time he was wrong. Under his regime, opposition leaders, activists, journalists and even mere citizens were shot, detained and harassed. He reintroduced and escalated a culture of terror and silence, one that will take a lot to undo.
Zanzibar’s influence
Samia Hassan Suluhu, long relegated to the ceremonial role that is the vice-presidency, is now the president of the country. In addition to
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