Hussein Mwinyi

Last updated
Honourable Dr
Hussein Mwinyi
Hussein Mwinyi.jpg
Mwinyi in 2014
8th President of Zanzibar
Assumed office
3 November 2020
ResidenceZanzibar State House
Alma mater Marmara University (MD)
Hammersmith Hospital (PhD)
Profession Physician
Medical practice Muhimbili Hospital (1993–95)
HKMU (1998–2000)

Hussein Ali Mwinyi (born in Unguja 23 December 1966) is the 8th president of Zanzibar. [1] The son of former Tanzanian president Ali Hasan Mwinyi, he is a member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) political party. [2]

Contents

Presidency

2020 election

Link to main article: 2020 Zanzibari general election

Mwinyi joined the presidential race in June 2020. [3] In the primary, he beat running mates Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, former Chief Minister of Zanzibar, and Dr. Khalid Mohamed, who served as the Permanent Secretary for the Second Vice President. The CCM’s 164 National Executive Committee members voted in July 2020, with 78.65% in favor of Mwinyi’s nomination to lead the party in the General Election. In order to prevent accusations of corruption, the intra-party election was broadcast live on television. Several NEC delegates cited Mwinyi’s marketability to voters as a primary reason for their choice. [4] The General Election took place on October 28, 2020, in which Mwinyi defeated 14 electoral candidates by collecting 76.27 percent of the vote. 88 percent of Zanzibar's 566,352 registered voters turned out. [1] The CCM or a version of the CCM has not lost an election since Tanzanian independence in 1961. Seif Sharif Hamad, opposition candidate for the political party ACT-Wazalendo, attempt to organize protests against the election result, soon after which he was arrested. Additionally, Zitto Kabwe, leader of ACT-Wazalendo, claimed that a member of the party's Central Committee was hospitalized by Zanzibari soldiers. These incidents are within the context of the 2020 Tanzanian election that took place simultaneously, an election that was deemed as having "credible allegations" of fabricated results by the United States government. [5] Still, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission chairman Hamid Mahmoud Hamid claimed that the election was carried out peacefully, and candidate Juma Ali Khatib of the TADEA opposition party gave Mwinyi his congratulations for winning the election, saying "through the ballot boxes God has appointed you to lead Zanzibaris." [6] Current Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also a member of the CCM party along with Mwinyi, praised Seif Sharif Hamad's political "peace and tranquility" on the one year anniversary of Mwinyi's election victory after Hamad's death in February 2021. [7] [8]

Corruption

On the campaign trail, Mwinyi promised to fight political corruption, saying shortly after being nominated for the CCM flagbearer that “crooked public servants should be extremely intimidated because we are going to crackdown on corruption”. [9] Under his administration, 289 cases have been prosecuted by the Zanzibar Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Authority, or ZAECA, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in government funds saved from being embezzled or laundered. [10] This includes the suspension, but not removal, of Zanzibar Social Security Fund director Sabra Issa Machano, and an official for the Tanzania Revenue Authority. Mwinyi was noted by current ZAECA director Mussa Haji Ali as being the first President of Zanzibar to visit the office since its establishment in 2012. [11]

Development

While his goals for Zanzibar's economic development were criticized by some as "not practical", Zanzibar has seen far higher GDP growth in each quarter of 2021 than in the corresponding period in 2020. [12] In January 2022, the government allocated 149 billion Tanzanian shillings (equivalent to 68 million US Dollars) to develop the archipelago’s blue economy, buying various fishing equipment. [10] In addition, he established Zanzibar's first Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, which was praised by experts for aiming to address the adverse effects of climate change on the country's seaweed industry. [13] He has also made it easier for small business owners to sell their products by expanding permits to thousands of businesses that otherwise would have been shut down by authorities, permits that according to Mwinyi can further be used to secure loans from banks. [14]

Women's rights

After being the first African state leader to join the HeForShe United Nations alliance, he was named the HeForShe 2021 Champion by the UN Women Tanzania. [15] Hosan Addou, UN Women Country Representative to Tanzania praised Mwinyi for continuing to implement the Wanawake Wanaweze ("Women Can" in Swahili) phase ii that supports women taking on leadership roles in politics. [16] In his first year in office, he eliminated the possibility for bail for all sexual offenses, and said that "We will place greater emphasis on eliminating various forms of violence against women, especially those in rural areas, and also improve social services, reduce maternal mortality, as well take water closer to women" [14] [17]

Relationship with China

Link to main article: China-Tanzania relations

Mwinyi has had a positive relationship with China since he was the Minister of Defense and National Service for Tanzania. During talks with the former Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guangli, Mwinyi noted the "good relations" between China and Tanzania, relations that Liang said have been "sound and smooth...over the past 45 years". [18] China is the largest foreign investor in Zanzibar according to Mwinyi, with $7.6 billion in funds. [19] This especially includes medical support. China invested tens of millions of dollars into Zanzibari hospitals, as well as donating COVID-19 vaccines and providing a small team of medics that over the course of the last ten years treated over 100,000 patients. [20]

Relationship with Tanzania

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the former Vice President who took over after former President John Magufuli's death, posted on her Instagram a photo of Mwinyi on the one year anniversary of his election win, along with the Swahili caption that translates to "we trust you and wish you all the best in building a better Zanzibar. I promise you more cooperation." [21] Despite pushes from some Zanzibaris for independence from Tanzania, Mwinyi has called for the retention of the current relationship between the two governments as ensuring commerce, saying "Zanzibaris are the main consumers of rice from Mainland, including Morogoro, thus we should continue to maintain our union by ensuring that our people are provided with the opportunity to do business without being disturbed." [22]

Personal life

He is married and has four children. [4]

Related Research Articles

The politics of Tanzania takes place in a framework of a unitary presidential democratic republic, whereby the President of Tanzania is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The party system is dominated by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zanzibar</span> Autonomous region of Tanzania

Zanzibar is an insular semi-autonomous region which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 km (16–31 mi) off the coast of the African mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre, Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Hassan Mwinyi</span> Tanzanian statesman (1925–2024)

Ali Hassan Mwinyi was a Tanzanian politician who served as the second president of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995. Previous posts included Minister for Home Affairs and Vice President. He also was chairman of the ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from 1990 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seif Sharif Hamad</span> First Vice President of Zanzibar (1943–2021)

Seif Sharif Hamad was a Tanzanian politician who served as the First Vice President of Zanzibar and as Party Chairman of ACT Wazalendo.

The Democratic Party (DP) is a political party in Tanzania. The party was registered on 7 June 2002. The DP is led by Rev. Christopher Mtikila, who is the Reverend of the Full Salvation Church. The DP calls for the dissolution of the Union Government of Tanzania and has openly campaigned for the separation from mainland of the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba from Tanganyika. The DP supports the expulsion of minorities from the mainland.

Aboud Jumbe Mwinyi was the second President of Zanzibar, serving from 1972 to 1984. He held several other positions, including Chairman of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council, Vice-President of the Union of Tanzania, and the vice-chairman of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chama Cha Mapinduzi</span> Dominant political party in Tanzania

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi is the dominant ruling party in Tanzania and the second longest-ruling party in Africa, only after the True Whig Party of Liberia. It was formed in 1977, following the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), which were the sole operating parties in mainland Tanzania and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Magufuli</span> President of Tanzania from 2015 to 2021

John Pombe Joseph Magufuli was the fifth president of Tanzania, serving from 2015 until his death in 2021. He served as Minister of Works, Transport and Communications from 2000 to 2005 and 2010 to 2015 and was chairman of the Southern African Development Community from 2019 to 2020.

General elections were held in Tanzania on 25 October 2015. Voters elected the president, members of Parliament, and local government councillors. By convention, the election was held on the last Sunday of October and was supervised by the National Electoral Commission (NEC). Political campaigns commenced on 22 August and ceased a day before the elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance for Change and Transparency</span> Political party in Tanzania

The Alliance for Change and Transparency, sometimes known as the ACT–Wazalendo, is the third-largest political party in Tanzania. It received its permanent registration in May 2014.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential primaries, 2015 took place in July 2015 to determine CCM's nominee for the Presidency of Tanzania for the 2015 election. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi is the country's dominant ruling party, and the longest reigning ruling party in Africa.

Damian Zefrin Lubuva has been serving as the chairman of the National Electoral Commission since 19 December 2011. He also served as the 4th Attorney General of Tanzania under Ali Hassan Mwinyi between 1985 and 1993. Along with these posts, Lubuva was also the Attorney General of Zanzibar, Minister for Justice and a Judge in the Tanzanian Court of Appeal.

Elias John Kwandikwa was a Tanzanian CCM politician and Member of Parliament for the Ushetu constituency from 2015 to 2021.

Hussein Mohamed Bashe is a Tanzanian CCM politician and Member of Parliament for Nzega Urban constituency since 2015. Bashe belongs to the Habar Awal Jibriil Abokor subclan of the Isaaq Somaliland. In January 2022, he was appointed Agriculture Minister.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania was a part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Tanzania in March 2020.

The 2020 Chama Cha Mapinduzi presidential primaries took place in July 2020. Incumbent president and 2015 nominee, John Magufuli ran unopposed for his second term for the President of Tanzania and so there was no primary vote for the Union presidency position. However, Zanzibar president Ali Mohamed Shein is ineligible for re-election due to term limits and a primary was held to determine the Zanzibar presidential nominee. The winners of the primary are the CCM candidates for the 2020 Tanzanian general election and the 2020 Zanzibari general election.

General elections were held in Zanzibar on 28 October 2020 alongside the Tanzanian general elections to elect the President and National Assembly of the Semi-autonomous state of Zanzibar. Voters elect the president, Zanzibar House of Representatives and local government councillors. By convention, the election was held on the last Wednesday of October and is supervised by the Zanzibar Election Commission.

General elections were held in Zanzibar on 25 October 2015 alongside the 2015 Tanzanian general elections. Incumbent president of Zanzibar Ali Mohamed Shein was running for his second term against Zanzibar First Vice President Seif Sharif Hamad.

Events of 2021 in Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oman–Tanzania relations</span> Bilateral relations

Oman–Tanzania relations are the diplomatic relations between Oman and Tanzania. The Sultanate of Oman has one of the oldest historical relationship with communities in Tanzania, namely in Zanzibar. Oman is the only country outside Africa where Swahili is spoken as a first language, and its people have blood relations with the people of Tanzania.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hussein Mwinyi wins Zanzibar Presidency". The Citizen. 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  2. ↑ Yussuf, Issa (July 25, 2015). "Tanzania: Saada Mkuya, Hussein Mwinyi Fight for Nomination in Isles". AllAfrica. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Defence minister Hussein Mwinyi joins the race for Zanzibar presidency". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam. 17 June 2020. ProQuest   2414027880.
  4. 1 2 "How Hussein Mwinyi won the race for Zanzibar ticket". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam. 11 July 2020. ProQuest   2422364268.
  5. ↑ "US cites 'credible allegations' of fraud in Tanzania election". CNN. Reuters. 30 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Zanzibar, Masato Masato in (2020-10-30). "Tanzania: It's Mwinyi for Zanzibar". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  7. ↑ Dodoma, Nelly Mtema in (2021-06-30). "Tanzania: CCM Salutes Samia, Mwinyi". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  8. ↑ Kamagi, Deogratius (2021-11-07). "Tanzania: Samia - Rally Behind Mwinyi". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  9. ↑ "Hussein Mwinyi pledges to fight against corruption as he lands in Zanzibar". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 15 July 2020. Gale   A635550652.
  10. 1 2 Christopher, Josephine (13 January 2022). "Mwinyi: Zanzibar's blue economy on right track". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam. ProQuest   2619152247.
  11. ↑ Reporter, Daily News; Zanzibar (2020-12-24). "Tanzania: Mwinyi Acts Tough On Graft". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  12. ↑ "Zanzibar's economy grows by 2.2 per cent in 2021 first quarter | Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority". www.zppda.go.tz. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  13. ↑ Reporter, Sunday News; Zanzibar (2020-11-23). "Tanzania: Hussein Mwinyi Hailed for Picking Cabinet Ministers". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  14. 1 2 Reporter, Dailynews (2021-11-10). "Tanzania: Optimism High As President Mwinyi Marks One Year in Office". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  15. ↑ "President of Zanzibar, H.E. Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Announced as HeForShe Champion | HeForShe". www.heforshe.org. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  16. ↑ "Tanzania: UN Lauds Samia, Mwinyi On Gender Parity". AllAfrica. Tanzania Daily News. 22 June 2021. Gale   A666014036.
  17. ↑ "Samia and Mwinyi's plans to uplift women". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 9 March 2022. Gale   A696171948.
  18. ↑ "China, Tanzania pledge closer military ties -- china.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  19. ↑ "Mwinyi: What we are doing to attract more investment". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 8 December 2021. Gale   A685819889.
  20. ↑ Masato, Masato; Zanzibar (2021-09-22). "Tanzania: Mwinyi Appreciates Chinese Medics Role". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  21. ↑ Tanzania's new president charts new Covid-19 course for the country, 2021-04-06, retrieved 2022-04-29
  22. ↑ Reporter, Dailynews (2021-10-18). "Tanzania: Mwinyi Touts Upholding Union". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
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