At last Mkapa comes out of a coop!

AT last the embattled former president of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, has decided to come to the agora and be counted. He has for long been facing allegations of corruption involving him, his family and friends.

He recently hit back though the heat is still on. He said when he was addressing a rally at his home village of Lupaso in Mtwara: All those alleging he misused and abused the office of the president and the country altogether are those he denied favours!

There is an empirical belief that politics is all about turning lies into truth. This can hold water as far as Mkapa’s attacks are concerned.

All in all, it is good to mount a defence. But this must be done decisively not just blabbing and telling more lies.??Mkapa was quoted as saying. "Do not listen to their lies; there is no truth in the allegations but only hatred ? mostly from people who thought I would have favoured -- but didn’t.’’

"I am not that financially well-off although I know that you hear and read a lot about this; I live on my pension benefits from the government, as does my predecessor, (Mzee) Ali Hassan Mwinyi,’’ He added.

Now that Mkapa has intentionally decided to mislead us, let’s dissect what he said.??In the wake of the attacks, Mkapa was asked by the media to divulge those he said were geared by hatred resulting from not being favoured? It seems he knows them too well. And methinks he did not jump up from his bed and alleged what he alleged.??Another thing, Mkapa should shed light on ANBEN, Tanpower, Fosnik and Kiwira coal mine. Don’t these firms exist really? The above mentioned companies are said to be owned by Mkapa and his family.

To me Mkapa is right on some facts and wrong on others. It is true that his rule was shaped by favouritism. Refer to the appointment of the all-time-inept premier Fredrick Sumaye? for good ten years! And on this, I must disagree with Mkapa saying that those alleging he misused and abused the office of the president are those he did not favour. Recently, Sumaye, Mkapa’s long serving premier and friend alleged that investors are but thieves who loot us and our resources, thanks to illegal deals among which are the contracts entered under Mkapa watch. Is Sumaye geared by the hatred Mkapa is saying? How and why?

I indeed respect Mkapa. But when it comes to telling us balderdash and slapdash things, I doubt if I will keep on.

There is another query that makes me chary. Why did Mkapa hit back at a political rally in lieu of convening a press conference as Mwalimu Julius Nyerere did when Oscar Kambona alleged he had millions of dollars stashed in off-shore banks?
?He must emulate Mwalimu. For his allegations are serious and damning, so to speak. What has Mkapa to say reminiscent to the involvement of his wife, son, daughter in-law, friend and others close to him? Didn’t he favour them?

Let us stop making jokes on serious matters. Some people are asking the rationale of vacating from the office silently without even handing over or declaring his wealth.

Mkapa says those alleging he abused his powers are those he turned down when they sought favours from him. I am not among them though I allege the same. I personally don’t know Mkapa. Neither does he know me.??Essentially those alleging Mkapa abused their office and country are Tanzanians not favour seekers as Mkapa wrongly puts it. Without shedding more light on this, Mkapa’s words can be taken as mockery and abuses to the wananchi whose lives have been ruined by favoritism and nihilism. He is self dressing down and his words may be the straw that will break a camel’s back for him. For the person who knows Mkapa as a guru of argumentation he wonders what’s gone awry with the man. For what seems as his defence does not befit a person of his caliber. Is it the result of panic and fear or what?

If he wants to cleanse his name, Mkapa has to delve deeper into allegations. He should tell us what he knows for example about ANBEM, Tanpower, Kiwira and others. He should either admit or repudiate by adducing reasonable and sensible answers in lieu of political gimmicks-cum-ballyhoos.

Let me put it to him. Isn’t ANBEN the initials of Anna (his wife) and Benjamin (the man himself) Does Mkapa’s response mean Tanpower and Kiwira deals do not exist anywhere out there?
?What has he to say with regards to mansions in Lushoto and Dar he did not declare when he exulted to power? And why didn’t he re-declare his wealth as per the requirements of the law? And why didn’t he officially hand over power to his successor as the norms and laws say? There are those who think Mkapa can offer any far-fetched reasons without fear just because Kikwete assured him of protection as it is opposed to premier Mizengo Pinda’s writ that Mkapa is to be investigated. Was it a time buying statement intended to get rid of us so that we can forget or what?

Mkapa seems to be out of touch. I still remember how he used to jeer and ridicule Tanzanians saying they are lazy at thinking without knowing, he too, is a Tanzanian!
If Mkapa knows and believes those pointing fingers at him are geared by hatred then he must seek remedy before the court. Mkapa who has maintained silence for long time must give logical and reasonable answers in lieu of mockery and hoaxes.
?Shall Mkapa aim at convincing us he should do the following:

Firstly he must re-declare his wealth and clarify the alleged involvement of his family and friends.
Secondly, he must sue those tainting his name.
Thirdly, he must shed light on his privatization policies which have forced the current regime to re-negotiate terms afresh.
Fourthly, he must issue the report of his performance he failed to give when he left the state house.

Fifthly, he must agree to be investigated and the findings to be made public.
Mkapa should also address himself to what is currently going on in neighbouring Malawi and Zambia where former rulers-cum- looters are facing the music.

Lastly, Mkapa should understand he’s not a normal person. Whatever he says is taken seriously. Given that he knows those behind all allegations he faces, he must make their names public. Also he must be serious in his bid to cleanse his name in lieu of taking us for goons. Otherwise, well done Mkapa though you have left many more questions than answers.

Source: Thisday May 30, 2008.
The African Executive Magazine.