Tanzania 2006

Tanzania 2006

In 2006, Tanzania was a sovereign state in East Africa. It had a population of over 35 million people and the majority of the population practiced Christianity. Agriculture was the main industry, with coffee and cotton being two of its major exports. The capital city, Dodoma, was home to many governmental buildings and offices. The climate in Tanzania is tropical and warm with heavy rainfall during the wet season. According to constructmaterials, tourism was an important part of the economy and many people from other countries came to visit the country’s diverse wildlife reserves, national parks, and coastal areas. The infrastructure in Tanzania was still developing with new roads being built as well as other projects such as hydroelectric power plants. Despite its economic challenges, Tanzania had made great strides since gaining independence in 1961 and was well on its way to becoming a prosperous nation.

Yearbook 2006

Tanzania. In January, newly-elected President Jakaya Kikwete presented a government with a strengthened representation of women. Of 29 ministers, seven are women – three more than before – and of 30 deputy prime ministers, ten are women. According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Tanzania include Independence Day (December 9) and New Year (January 1). Heavy ministries such as the Ministry of Finance and Foreign Affairs got female managers.

In April, the new Vice President Ali Shein ordered farmers and livestock herders living in nature-protected areas to leave immediately. Other environmental measures were to encourage municipalities and companies to plant trees and to prohibit the use of thin plastic bags in stores and in marketplaces. However, the protection of the environment was also taken as motivation to start deporting people from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda who were accused of illegally staying in Tanzania. In many cases it was about people who were born in the country and who were previously treated as citizens by, for example, get to participate in general elections. Thousands were threatened with banishment on questionable grounds.

Oppositionists in the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar turned to court in April with a request that the 1964 Union Treaty between the islands and the then Tanganyika be annulled. They argued that the Union lacked legal grounds. Their request was rejected by the court, but they announced that the attempts to get the Union dissolved went ahead. The same court, the High Court, ruled that party-bound candidates have the right to stand in presidential and parliamentary elections. The message was welcomed by the opposition, which considered it would reduce CCM’s great dominance. The government appealed the decision.

Tanzania Map with Surrounding Countries

October

Tundu Lissu refuses to accept the election outcome

October 29

Tundu Lissu and the Chadema Party accuse the electoral authority and the government side of such widespread electoral fraud that they refuse to accept the election result. The electoral authority denies the allegations. Tundu Lissu appeals to the outside world not to approve the election. In Zanzibar, opposition presidential candidate Maalim Seif Sharif was arrested shortly after he said the election on the island had been rigged and then urged his supporters to take to the streets in protest.

President Magufuli is re-elected

October 28

Following a violent election campaign, presidential and parliamentary elections are being held in relatively peaceful forms on the mainland. But in Zanzibar, the opposition tells the media that about 10 opposition supporters have been killed in election-related violence on election day. According to the election authority, Magufuli from CCM wins the presidential election with just over 84 percent of the vote against 13 percent for Tundu Lissu from Chadema. In the parliamentary elections, CCM gets 262 of the 264 seats. The turnout is 50.7 percent according to the election authority. In the presidential election in Zanzibar, CCM’s candidate Hussein Mwinyi wins with 76 percent of the vote over Seif Sharif Hamad from ACT-Wazalendo, who received 20 percent, according to the election authority.

Violent ahead of elections in Zanzibar

October 27

Violent clashes occur on the island of Pemba in Zanzibar the day before the general elections are to be held. According to the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, three party supporters are killed by the police who shoot sharply and use tear gas against protesters. About 10 people are injured. The unrest arises when soldiers hand out ballot papers that opposition supporters fear are marked. The security forces are large ahead of election day in Zanzibar, where election-related violence is common.

The opposition warns of election fraud

October 23

Opposition leader Chadema’s leader Freeman Mbowe accuses the election authority of manipulating the electoral roll ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections. According to Mbowe, a number of ghost votes have been added in favor of Magufuli and CCM, while the votes of opposition supporters have been removed.

Mozambican jihadists raid Tanzania

22 October

IS-loyal jihadists from northern Mozambique cross the border into Tanzania and kill an unknown number of people there. Militant Islamists have been carrying out attacks in the northern part of the neighboring country since 2017 and have sometimes crossed the border into Tanzania and carried out minor attacks there, killing Tanzanian police or local government officials.

Amnesty: pressure on the opposition increases

October 12

Amnesty International warns that the government has increased pressure on its political opponents by disrupting the opposition’s election campaign. According to a new report from the human rights organization, the authorities are exposing opposition politicians and their supporters to harassment and arbitrary arrests, while the ruling CCM can campaign unhindered. Laws and regulations on meetings and gatherings are applied differently depending on whether it concerns CCM or Chadema, according to Amnesty. The organization writes that it was a “positive step” that Tundu Lissu was able to return from exile and campaign for Chadema, but that the opposition’s reports of physical attacks and disappearances are not investigated in an effective, thorough and independent manner. In early October, the electoral authority suspended Lindus’ campaign for a week.

Tundu Lissu’s election campaign stopped

October 2

The Tanzanian electoral authority orders the opposition party Chadema’s presidential candidate Tundu Lissu to suspend its election campaign for seven days, starting on October 3. The reason is that Lissu is said to have used “inciting language” and spread lies during his election rallies. It is Lissu’s accusations against Magufuli about electoral fraud that are the reason for the decision. Lissu says he has not been given a chance to defend himself and that he will continue his election campaign. Chadema accuses the electoral commission, whose members are appointed by the president, of being biased in Magufuli’s favor.

Tanzania Overview

Magnificent safaris, the sandy beaches of the fabulous island of Zanzibar and the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro. In Tanzania, everyone can find one or more dream destinations.

On safaris you can meet the large animals at your fingertips, Kilimanjaro rises from the middle of the safari areas to a bold height of 5,895 meters and in Zanzibar you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches as well as the wonderful clear diving waters and rich cultural history.

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa. Its neighbors are Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. To the east, Tanzania is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Tanzania gained its independence in 1961 and annexed itself to the island of Zanzibar in 1964. This enchanting African country is a diverse mix of wildlife, exotics, savannas, mountains, lakes, history and white sand beaches. There is something for everyone in Tanzania.

Area: 945 087 kmĀ²

Population: 58,552,845 (estimate 7/2020)

Capital: Dodoma

Population: 99% Bantu (130 different tribes), 1% Asian, European and Arab

Language: Swahili, English (official) and many tribal languages

Main products: Gold, diamonds, tourism, coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco and nuts

Form of government: Republic