A New Tanzania

In 1985, with Ali Hassan Mwinyi as President, Tanzania turned away from its socialist beginnings. Mwinyi instituted an economic recovery programme involving decreased government spending, price liberalization and the encouragement of foreign investment. With increasing pressure from western donors multi party politics was reinstituted in 1992 and a date set for elections. The first multi-party elections were held in 1995. On the mainland, the CCM, under the leadership of Benjamin Mkapa, won approximately 70% of the vote. On Zanzibar the results were almost even between the CCM and the opposition Civic United Front ( CUF). The results were challenged but ultimately the CCM remained in power.

While most of Africa still suffers from the tribal disputes that have raged for centuries, Nyerere's great achievement is the sense of national unity felt within Tanzania. By making kiSwahili the national language, banning tribal leaders and forcing government officials to work away from the area in which they grew up, he has helped make Tanzania into the friendly and welcoming country it is today.

Tanzania remains one of the 25 poorest countries in the world, but under the current government adult literacy and health care have and are improving. It's ethnic and religious tolerance are a shining example to the world. It has remarkable political stability, and it's increasingly pragmatic economic policies are an excellent base for future growth. Local infrastructure and tourist attractions are slowly being improved upon and the tourism industry should provide a major source of foreign earnings. All in all a positive outlook for one of the most beautiful countries in the world.