US Vice President Kamala Harris praises Tanzania’s leader

US Vice President Kamala Harris bolstered Tanzania’s fragile progress toward more inclusive government as she stepped to the forefront of the US effort to strengthen democracy in Africa. Harris arrived in Tanzania on Wednesday after visiting Ghana.

Alongside Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, on Thursday, Harris cited recent Tanzanian decisions, such as lifting a ban on opposition rallies and encouraging more freedom of the press, as “important and significant steps” towards democratic reforms in the country.

“The United States will continue to work alongside democratic governments in support of democratic aspiration and the particular democratic aspirations of the people of this continent,” Harris said.

Harris also laid a wreath at a memorial commemorating the August 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s economic hub.

Almost simultaneous attacks by al-Qaeda in Tanzania and the US embassy in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, left more than 200 people dead and more than 5,000 injured.

Undoing Magufuli’s legacy pays off

Comparing her to her predecessor John Magufuli, Harris described Hassan as a “defender” of democracy. “There’s a lot of growth potential here,” Harris said.

Hassan is ending the term of Magufuli, who gained a reputation for stamping out dissent, arresting critics and forcing them into exile before dying in office.

So the meeting between Hassan and Harris, the first female vice president of the United States, was a remarkable show of support from Washington as the United States deepens its reach in Africa.

Hassan has undone some of Tanzania’s most oppressive policies, although he came to power as a member of the ruling party. However, hardliners were uncomfortable with some of Hassan’s changes, which could prove costly in the next election two years from now.

New commercial partnership

Harris announced $560 million (€513 million) in US assistance to Tanzania, some of which will require congressional approval. The money is intended to expand the two countries’ trading relationship and encourage democratic governance.

During an earlier meeting in Washington, Harris told Hassan that “we welcome the progress you’ve made during your leadership, and in particular the work you’ve done to empower women leaders in Tanzania and your work to support human rights.” .

“There’s so much emotion here, and people are saying it’s as if the Madam President’s efforts to change the country are being rewarded with recognition of an economic and political superpower that is the United States,” said analyst Mohamed Issa Hemed, based in Tanzania.

Idayat Hassan, director of the Center for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, said Harris’ visit could help galvanize enthusiasm when there are concerns about backsliding authoritarianism in Africa and around the world.

“Many people will want the US to speak out on the issue of democracy, which they feel is starting to decline and is not what it used to be,” she said. “There are more who need to make sure that democracy is here to stay.”

Harris is scheduled to spend two nights in Tanzania and then conclude her week-long trip with a stop in Zambia, another country struggling to strengthen its democracy. She plans to return to Washington on Sunday.

Edited by: Carla Bleiker