The listing of bans imposed by Tanzania’s populist president simply retains rising

Tanzania’s populist president John Magufuli strode into workplace in late 2015 promising to sort out corruption and introduce large-scale reforms.

Since then Magufuli hasn’t upset: taking up elites inside his occasion, sacking corrupt or incompetent civil servants, and channeling cash meant for independence day celebrations to anti-cholera operations. His strict and controversial management fashion has earned him the title of “the Bulldozer,” and has sparked social media memes with the hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo.

Whether or not Magufuli is definitely altering his nation for higher or worse is one other debate. His bans typically fall into two broad classes of financial reform and social order. With financial reform, other than combating corruption, the opposite theme appears to be for Tanzania to be extra assertive notably when coping with worldwide companions. With social order there’s a sense the administration is ready to danger trampling on human rights to have Tanzanians fall into line.

Here’s a listing of the issues his administration has banned during the last two years—in no specific order.

Registration of international ships

This week, Magufuli put a short lived ban on the registration of international ships, after the seizure of narcotics and weapons in a minimum of 5 vessels flying the Tanzanian flag. The ships had been seized in numerous components of the world. In an announcement, the president’s workplace mentioned the ban could be in power till the system of reflagging vessels— which might assist them evade management or scrutiny—was reviewed.

Export of minerals

Final yr, Magufuli banned the export of unprocessed minerals as the federal government squeezed mining firms for greater revenues and royalties. His administration additionally requested the African subsidiary of the Toronto-based Barrick Gold to pay a jaw-dropping $190 billion in revised taxes, pursuits, and fines. After months of negotiations, the corporate mentioned it would pay the federal government $300 million as a part of a brand new deal, grant it a 16% stake in its mines, and equally cut up “financial advantages” from its operations.

Pregnant ladies in colleges

Throughout a rally final yr, Magufuli was quoted as saying that so long as he was president “no pregnant pupil can be allowed to return to high school … After getting pregnant, you’re accomplished.” His resolution was roundly criticized by human rights organizations who mentioned it was out of contact with public opinion, contravened worldwide human rights legal guidelines, and fuelled stigma towards younger ladies and victims of sexual violence.

Public rallies

After the federal government banned dwell televised parliamentary debates, the opposition Chadema occasion known as nationwide rallies to protest the choice. Tanzanian police responded by banning opposition rallies, a transfer which drew additional criticism.

Newspapers and media retailers

Since coming to energy, Magufuli’s authorities has tightened its grip on each digital and conventional media areas.

The clampdown has taken on a brand new significance as the federal government launched a regulation that will give it unfettered powers to police the online, register blogs and on-line boards, and prohibit materials deemed as “offensive, morally improper” or that “causes annoyance.” 4 newspapers have additionally been banned, together with the Mwanahalisi and Mawio each of which had been suspended for one and two years respectively. In 2016, two personal radio stations Radio 5 and Magic FM had been additionally closed. Digital whistleblower retailers like Jamii Boards have additionally been focused, with the federal government demanding they reveal the identities of customers who shared delicate data.

Shisha

Tanzania banned the smoking of shishas or water pipes over considerations that they had been linked with medicine or alcohol abuse. Prime minister Kassim Majaliwa reportedly mentioned shisha was killing future generations. Tanzania was arguably the primary African nation to impose the shisha ban. In March 2017, alcohol offered in plastic sachets had been additionally banned.

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