Department of History, Political Science and Development Studies

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Reflection on Electoral Democracy and Peaceful Transfer of Power: The Tanzanian Experience
(Population Studies and Research Centre, University of Dar es Salaam, 2019-12-31) Masabo, Conrad J.
This paper revisits the Africa’s electoral democracy trajectories with the focus on Tanzanian experience of electoral democracy and political transitions. It analyses the conduct of electoral democracy and peaceful transfer of power in Tanzania and gauges whether such experiences may be emulated by other countries particularly those facing crises of political transition in Africa. To do so, the paper adopts documentary review method supplemented by hermeneutic techniques as the most feasible and effective methodology best suited for studying a phenomenon using secondary sources. From this analysis, it is evident, then, although the balance sheet on Tanzania’s experience with democratisation over the last two decades or so shows progressive trends; major power transition remains within the confinements of the ruling party, but Tanzanian experience, still, provides some important lessons for other countries can emulate. Notwithstanding such positive trends, the paper recommends for urgent legal and institutional reforms on the mandate and independence electoral management institution and continuous periodic updating of voters for feasible and the regular processes for individuals opportunity to join with their fellows in replacing, or reinstating the government of their country by means of the ballot-box and without to violence.
The Apparition of the Perceived Enemy: National Identity and Peace Building in South Sudan.
(The Open University of Tanzania, 2020-08-03) Masabo, Conrad John
Between July 8th and 11th, 2016 an intense fighting erupted in South Sudan. This was the second instance to the previous fighting that broke-out between December 15th and 18th, 2013 and both happened in Juba the capital city of the country. These revealed that, South Sudan was not only the newest nation in the world, but also the youngest nation facing many dilemmas in forging for national identity and consolidating peace. These incidences require scholars to be sober and surpass the oversimplifications of the causes of this mayhem. Thus, understanding these challenges calls for re-considering and re-framing the understanding of the real enemy, to forge a healthy national identity that the country needs. In this journey, I challenge South Sudanese to re-think reflectively and critically if they are to understand the manifestation of the postcolonial–neo-colonial image of imperialism that have not allowed meaningful transition and state building and unlearn the perceived misunderstanding, and invitation is for them to embrace roles of democracy, nationhood, and governance in peace and nation building. As this paper advances, it is by embracing such reconsiderations that nation building, and the identity formation among South Sudanese, the prospects newly country of South Sudan will be possible.
Implications of Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy on Foreign Students’ Perception of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
(Center for Social and Strategic Research, Cappadocia University., 2019-12-31) Masabo, Conrad John
China’s engagement with the world has been evolving to reflect its various economic developments, and although China’s economic progress since 2010 may not be a shock to many, its recent dramatic re-emergence at the centre of global politics has thrown familiar issues into a sharp relief. One such issue is the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been of key interest to policy makers, and which, since 2015, has expanded immensely to link China with Asia, Europe and Africa, boosting trade, development and cultural exchange throughout a broad infrastructure network. This paper presents the findings of a study that was designed to examine the implications of Chinese foreign policy on the perceptions of BRI among foreign students of the East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. The findings of the study reveal that the foreign students’ perceptions of BRI are influenced by how Chinese foreign policy is and was perceived in their respective home countries, and that the experience of living in China had little or no impact in changing their established perceptions. Based on these findings, the study concludes that, the future implementation of BRI will be highly influenced by the existing Chinese diplomatic relations, and as such recommends the consolidation and expansion of China’s existing diplomatic relations if it desires a smoother and better adoption of the BRI in other countries
Where is Socialism in Tanzania?
(2012-05) Makulilo, Victoria
After independence Tanzania adopted a socialist ideology,‘Ujamaa’.‘Ujamaa’ was a political decision to societal development. It is obvious majority poor were complacent to it. This made many Tanzanians to identify themselves as “wajamaa.” Nevertheless, the economic crisis of 1970s swayed Tanzania to adopt Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs)1. SAPs are grounded in liberalism. This situation led Tanzania to a dilemma of having liberalism and abandoning socialism since the two ideologies are disputable and can never be applied at the same setting. Apparently, the socialist ideology is identified with Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere, the founder of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi1 (CCM). It is logical that to abandon “Ujamaa” is to illegitimise CCM from the majority Tanzanians. Instead, Tanzania decided to adopt the SAPs in 1980s and remain with Ujamaa on paper for legitimacy. In 1991 Zanzibar Resolution was drawn to entomb core values of “Ujamaa”.It is this particular event which is claimed as marking death of “Ujamaa” in practice. Mwl. Nyerere himself commented in 1993 that “Ujamaa” had been warped. Yet, CCM would argue for existence of “Ujamaa”. The bases for the argument are Article 9(j) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977(URT Constitution) and Article 4(3) and 5(3) of the CCM Constitution 1977(CCM Constitution). This paper argues that Tanzania has currently a “myeloma” in ideology. And thus, it suffers a crisis. Its praxis is absent. Concomitantly, the praxis of liberalism through privatization policies and legislation is repugnant and thus unconstitutional. This leaves the general public confused. Moreover it makes investors lose confidence in business as a result. The paper recommends a wider debate involving all stakeholders be held in guiding the country to one clear direction on ideology.
The Proliferation of Private Universities in Tanzania: Quality Compromised?
(Wudpecker Journal of Education Research, 2012-10) Makulilo, Victoria
University education has a significant contribution to development endeavors. Universities have to provide countries with highly qualified skilled labour and technological developments through researches. Most invariably skilled labour impacts to different national projects positively. It must be noted that the university education required to accommodate development projects successfully must be of high quality. The concept of quality can variably be assessed. The prominent four approaches have been used to assess the quality of education in particular. Such approaches are structural approach, processes approach, product-output approach, and legal and institutional approach. Tanzania introduced university education in 1970 with only one university, i.e. the University of Dar es Salaam. Before this time, Dar es Salaam University was the university college of East Africa as it were for Makerere University College of East Africa (Uganda) and Nairobi University College of East Africa (Kenya). After the adoption of liberal policies of private ownership, Tanzania is experiencing a proliferation of private universities alongside public universities. With emphasis on legal-institutional and structural approaches, this article argues that the quality of private universities in Tanzania is undermined greatly. The article recommends a proper review of education policies reflected in the role of universities by the government and private university owners.
Discontented Success of Higher Education Students’ Loans Scheme in Tanzania
(African Review, 2014-11) Makulilo, Victoria
In recent years there has been a strong belief among some practitioners and academicians that the students’ Loans scheme in Tanzania performs well. One of the indicators used to measure such performance is the increased enrolments of students. However, evaluating the loans scheme based on quantity is inadequate. Therefore, the present article evaluates the performance of the loans scheme based on its two main objectives namely assisting the poor to access higher education and creating a revolving fund. The article notes poor performance by the scheme. Two observations are evident. Firstly, many students from poor backgrounds are forsaken by private financing of higher education; and secondly, low rates of loan repayments and recovery make the idea of a revolving fund a paradox. The high built-in subsidies; and ineffectiveness of the Loans Board to reduce administrative costs and the rate of default are necessary ailments.
Multiparty Elections and Party Support in Tanzania
(Sage, 2011-11-30) Babeiya, Edwin E.
Multiparty elections in Tanzania have been characterized by the dominance of the ruling party and the erratic rise and fall of opposition parties. This trend has been largely influenced by, among others, such factors as institutionalization, age, personality sex, history and low level of civic competence. However, the results of the 2010 general elections suggest a new development that challenges the eminence of the aforementioned factors, which have for almost two decades favoured the ruling party. This new development is reflected in the 2010 elections that witnessed some of the areas that were an enclave of the incumbent party offering a relatively strong support to opposition parties, particularly Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). The 2010 general elections’ results prompt a need for an enquiry to establish whether or not this is the beginning of a new chapter in which both the ruling party and opposition parties stand an equal chance of winning the elections.
The role of ICTs in enhancing citizens’ involvement in decision-making in local governments in Tanzania
(Uganda Technology and Management University, 2017-12-30) Babeiya, Edwin E.; Masabo, Conrad John
This paper reflects on citizens’ participation in local governments in Tanzania. Using documentary review, it ponders on the efforts being taken to ensure that the citizens effectively participate in decision-making in local governments. Attention is specifically directed at exploring the position of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in fostering participatory decision-making by drawing experience from various studies on citizens’ participation in local government authorities. In examining the efficacy of the studies on participation that have been undertaken since Tanzania embarked on local government reforms, it observes that both the policy makers and researchers have accorded limited attention to the role of ICTs in facilitating inclusive decision-making at the grassroots. The paper shows that these actors have continued to focus on physical interactions rather than looking at other platforms for interactions such as e-participation and the extent to which ICTs are utilized or can be used to facilitate decision-making at lower levels. Against this backdrop, the paper underscores the need for local government stakeholders to accord more attention to the potential of ICTs in ensuring effective citizens’ participation.
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Environmental Resources Management
(Dar es Salaam University College of Education, 2017-12-01) Masabo, Conrad John; Ngeze, Juma Ntamigamba
Though population changes have been noted to have effects on the state of the environment; the initiatives adopted to mitigate these eco-imbalances are still not in tandem with sustainable environmental development. This is reflected in the lack of significant eco-behaviour change by the populace, which at the same time has revealed strong attachment to their environment reflected in different cultural practices that were pro-environmental. This suggests that the ills of climate change are not foreign to different inhabitants, but rather they are historical phenomena that communities constantly struggled to mitigate. The paper argues for the employment of indigenous environment protection methods as the only sustainable solution to the ever complicated eco-challenges. Also, it advocates for the need of specific environmental projects/programmes to be organised in such a way as to suit specific geographical locations so as to accommodate the necessary indigenous environmental knowledge of all people concerned.
Education: The Heartbeat of Africa’s Regional Integration Labour Movement?
(The University of Dodoma, 2015) Masabo, Conrad John
After 50 years of independence as a continent, Africa is yet to graduate from dependency, ignorance and poverty. Lack of proper and meaningful education is one of the strait forward answers given because Africa continue to be characterised by poor education facilities and remain to be a continent that has no education of its own and thus lagging behind in education development. As the result, education has had little contribution to Regional Integration in Africa (RIA), though it is the warehouse for skills and knowledge transfer for better labour movement in Africa. The paper argues for mainstreaming, enriching it with local content and harmonisation of education as a key aspects in facilitating not only labour and people movement but also other three pillars of integration and as way to curtail the developmental challenges. It concludes by cautioning the danger of promoting the foreign culture, content and dependency in integrating Africans.
Corruption and Fraudulent Culture: The Case of Tanzania.
(Globethics.net., 2014-12) Masabo, Conrad John
Today’s Tanzania is not and cannot be immune not only to petty corruption but also to grand and looting forms of corruption. It is under intensive corruption! Corruption is being institutionalised and it has been accepted as a vice that one can benefit from and it has become “as the cancer in the society”. Corruption as a phenomenon has eaten deep into almost if not all strata of African society and it has been and is accepted as part of our culture and “the moral principle in operation here is one of utilitarianism: as long as my choice of action brings some good to me, it is okay.”If not stopped, corruption is always the main cause of the moral and social break-down of our society. It is even internationally acknowledged that, systematic corruption is prevalent and entrenched in most of sub-Saharan countries of which Tanzania is one of them.
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as the Custodian of the Tanzanian Economy: Opportunities and Challenges
(Jordan University College, 2012-12) Masabo, Conrad John
When Tanzania embarked on fundamental transformation of its economy almost two decades ago one of the top agenda in the economic reforms was the need to overhaul the financial system. And in view of pivotal role it plays in the country’s economy, the banking sector was the first to undergo reforms. Implementation of the reforms followed recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the need to modernize the banking sector dubbed the Nyirabu Commission. The BOT Act of 1995 was a landmark in Tanzania’s monetary history by adopting a single policy objective, i.e. price stability and moving away from multiple-policy objectives. More radical changes were felt following the repealing of the BOT Act, of 1995, by enacting the BOT Act, of 2006 in 2006 which is the basis of legal framework under which the BOT operates today. In that light of reforms this paper therefore sets forward to expose how the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) is the custodian of the economy of Tanzania as well as the problems that Bank of Tanzania faces in the management of the economy.
The Challenges of Electoral Process Institutions of the Zanzibar and Union Elections of 1995, 2000 and 2005: Anything New With the Election Expenses Act, 2010?
(Jordan University College, 2011-12) Masabo, Conrad John
Though it is true that elections alone do not guarantee proper functioning of democracies, they are the most convenient means of effecting orderly political successions of office bearers. But for elections to become credible instruments to political succession its adherence to the rules of the game as well as procedures which had been agreed upon by players themselves. In that regard the constitutional and legal framework governing the electoral processes have been always central and among the fundamental issues during elections. They thus constitute most important decrees in setting conditions under which elections are conducted in a country. This paper sets forth to critically assess the functioning of important electoral institutions in Tanzania. Specific attention is on whether The Election Expenses Act, 2010 have improved the conduct of the 2010 Zanzibar and Union Elections as opposed to those of 1995, 2000 and 2005 respectively in reducing corruption and election related corrupt practices.
Pan-Africanism and African Unity: Any Prospects?
(Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology, 2010-06) Masabo, Conrad John
At the close of 50 years of independence, Africa is still yearning for unity despite of the more than 100 years of the initiatives made by the pan-Africanists. The essay addresses important issues of political, economic, social and cultural rebirth of the African continent. It argues that, if the ideas of Pan-Africanism or Africanisms are deeply persuaded they can make Africa successfully in coping with its problems and orient itself in a rapidly globalising world. While there is hope for Africa in the continental unity and pan-African political and economic projects; the paper also points out imperialism and neo-colonialism as the biggest threats to Africa's unity and freedom.
Gender Inequalities in Buha (Kigoma) and the Role of Gender Mainstreaming to Alliviate Them
(Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology, 2009-06) Masabo, Conrad John
Gender issues and debates on gender are ever growing to dominate the local and international politics, law, economy and social policies. The debate are hot and even now penetrating to the formerly spheres that were for quite long left un-penetrated such as those structures of religion. Gender can be defined as the social determined roles and relations between males and females. In this regard, these social constructed roles and relations have resulted into tremendous gender inequalities that need to be addressed anew with a different methodology or strategy. They call for critical and purposely attention from anyone who hopes to contribute towards making this world a better place for living. It attracts re-assessing of our understanding and the extent we are ready to promote and propagate for human rights, common good and social justice. This paper discusses gender inequality theories that best explain the existing gender inequalities among the Ha people living in Kigoma Region and explaining how gender mainstreaming strategy can be employed to reduce the existing gender inequalities. To meet the demands of the task our essay will have a part giving the region profile of demographic, geographical, historical and political data. This will be followed by a part highlighting some of the existing gender inequalities among the Buha Communities, then a part discussing the selected gender inequalities theories and lastly a part devoted to expose the methodology to follow in using gender mainstreaming strategy to reduce these inequalities.
The Prospects of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) Infrastructures and Service Delivery in Tanzania: The Case of CCBRT Maternity and Newborn Hospital.
(Centre of Policy and Leadership, School of Public Administration and Management, Mzumbe University, 2015-12) Masabo, Conrad John
The many undertakings that have been classified to be PPP projects in Tanzania, were largely concluded without PPP policy, legal, institutional and strategy for its implementation. But, having realized that PPPs could provide best developmental option for the sources of funding and technology if well prepared, coordinated and undertaken; as from 2009 important steps were put in place. These constitute a complex interplay of policy, legal and regulatory framework under which PPPs projects in Tanzania can successfully be mainstreamed to support the realisation of the Tanzania Development Vision 2015 and social services provision in particular. The paper accounts for PPPs implementation as a tool for health service delivery for both effectiveness and efficiency—value-for-money a previously purely government-run domain in Tanzania.
Should Children Work? Dilemmas of Children’s Educational Rights in the Global South
(Southern African Institute for Policy and Research, 2016-09) Masabo, Conrad John
The realisation of Children’s Rights and the right to education, in particular, have for quite long left the children of the Global South at a crossroads. The ideal of a childhood free from work has in itself become a barrier to access this social good. As such, due to their country’s minimal or non-existent educational funding and family abject poverty, some children in the Global South have realised that adopting a pragmatic strategy of combining school and work is the only feasible solution. This study, therefore, examines the interface between children’s work and schooling in the Global South.
Regional Organisations and Sustainable Governance of Mineral Resources in Tanzania
(Globethic.net, 2016-11) Masabo, Conrad John
In today’s global scene, there are obvious manifests of the changing perceptions and views over resource discourse. The negative image of resource as ‘a curse’ is giving way to a more positive approach, stressing on the potential transformational role that resources can play in the processes of development. This has influenced the prominence of governance agenda and mineral resources governance in Africa in particular and the role of regional organisations in mineral resources governance. As such, regional organisations are rapidly acquiring more power that has positioned them to prescribe, promote and protect standards of governance in different sectors including mining sectors in member states, irrespective of their original purposes. This book examines the contribution of African regional organisations in governance of the mineral sector in Tanzania.
Discerning for Peace in Africa: The Sudan Civil Wars and Peace Processes 1955-2013
(Hekima College, a Campus of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa., 2013-12) Masabo, Conrad John
Separation of the Sudan into the Republic of Sudan (North) and the Republic of Southern Sudan (South) was globally extolled as the long-lasting solution to one of the longest civil wars in post-Colonial Africa. However, recent developments in Sudan: continued clashes between north and south, crises in the contested areas and tribal civil wars have uncovered that: separation without addressing the principal root causes of the conflicts is not the panacea to prone and protracted civil wars. Taking a historical analysis framework, the paper attempts to tackle issues of causes, opportunities and challenges for peace in Sudan.

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