The Struggle in Tanzania
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009The effects of corruption are so very predictable. When leaders are corrupt or when they do not practice due diligence and allow corrupt activities to take place, they harm the members of their society on many levels, as well as the very core of their government. People with a corrupt government are often living in a state of poverty. Developing countries tend to be poor, and they tend to have more instances of corruption. It’s hard to say which comes first, but that is just what has been shown in the past.
Many countries in the world today are actively fighting against corruption, and they will avoid having relations on any level with a country wherein the leaders are corrupt, be it in the banking or financial sectors, the business sectors or the political sector. This throws them into more of a tailspin, sinking them deeper and deeper into the already horrific level of poverty. The people lose faith, or a sense of pride in their leaders and ultimately in their country.
They become apathetic. But then they take a stand. This is what is happening in Tanzania in the current times. The leaders of the government of Tanzania were at one time very well respected by the people of their country. However that is not the case at the moment. The ministers of the government were encouraged by the President Kikwete to expose evidence of corruption whenever and where ever they notice it. So, much has been revealed and now when the ministers speak publicly they are heckled and jeered.
The people are demanding that now that the leaders know about the corruption, action needs to be taken against those that have accused. This is happening concurrently with the fact that the media has begun to expose these acts of corruption much more than ever. Now the government and the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi, are becoming embarrassed at the exposure, as well they should be. There is dissension within the government. However, there are organizations within the country who are joining together with the Tanzania Labour Party, and now that the citizens are taking a stand, perhaps they are on their way towards getting rid of the corruption in Tanzania.
