The President of Tanzania John Magufuli has said that he is seeking re-election later this year to complete unfinished projects.
Magufuli who is also the chairman of his ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on Tuesday submitted his forms to be the party’s flag bearer in October 2020.
The outspoken leader said projects that he started in his first five-year term needed to be finished and securing a second and final term in office will afford him the chance to do so.
He was quoted by local media as saying that “When I took office in 2015, CCM planned to implement a number of flagship projects. Some of them have been completed and a number of them are still under implementation.
“My wish is to complete implementation of the unfinished projects in the next five years.”
President Magufuli’s comments were broadcast live by state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation.
Some of the projects Magufuli was referring to included the standard gauge railway, the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere hydropower in the Rufiji River basin and an international airport in Dodoma, the new capital.
He also mentioned the purchase of a new ship for Lake Tanganyika aimed at boosting trade with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I believe with unity and hard work we can build a modern Tanzania that every citizen can benefit,” said President Magufuli.
In 2017 President Magufuli rejected appeals from his supporters to extend his term limit beyond the two terms of five years stipulated in the country’s constitution.
Mr. Magufuli said he will respect the constitution and the term limit placed on the tenure of a president.
This is seen by many analysts as a sharp contrast to what usually happens elsewhere on the continent where Presidents claim to be heeding to calls from citizens to extend their stay in office by changing the constitution.
Magufuli told supporters calling for him to stay longer in office that “It’s impossible. I will respect the constitution.”
“I have sworn to defend the constitution … I shall play my part and pass on the leadership reins to the next president when the time comes,” he said.
Elected in 2015 for his first term of five years, Magufuli should he run again in 2020 and win will no longer be eligible to run in 2025 due to the term limit.
Source: Africafeeds.com
