ACCORDING to the
Dictionary, maneuver is a series of tactical exercises usually carried
out in the
field by large body of troops (battalion) in simulating the
condition of war and it might involve changing the position of troops,
ships or equipment on the battle ground.
Maneuver is a
common term in military context particularly at operation time meaning
changing or turning a disadvantage into an opportunity by surprising the
enemy within a short period of time. I submit that, this definition I
am drawing from my own experience and little knowledge I have in the
combat field.
At war time, there
are normally surprises which might come from the enemy (other forces) or
might be brought by natural ground arrangement (terrain).
In order to fix or
contain the enemy by surprising him, normally commanders maneuver either
the ground, troops or equipment to gain the tactical ground to easily
defeat the enemy.
This is very
similar to the way JPM has managed to surprise his enemies in and
outside the system. In my opinion, JPM enemies might be people who are
corrupt, lazy and unaccountable.
I compare the JPM's approach to the challenges of this country as the same as commanders do maneuver at war.
JPM has managed to
change this country in many ways. His approach to leadership has been a
debate in local and international political arenas.
His ways of "maneuvering" issues, topics, agenda, minds, actions has been the centre of talks both locally and globally.
Who expected that JPM would come up with a different approach to leadership when he was first sworn in 2015?
JPM has managed to
maneuver issues and Tanzania has been popular since he took the highest
office from Jakaya Kikwete. These are memorable JPM's maneuvers which
have left footprints in Tanzanian's leadership history for years.
JPM's approach to coronavirus
On May 3, 2020, the
Tanzanian Head of State surprised the world after he said fruits and
inanimate objects which were secretly sent to the national lab for test
we're found Covid-19 positive. The question remains, why did JPM do
this?
The answer was he
wanted to maneuver data and panic which was facing the nation without
scientific reasons. This was his way of questioning the whole process of
Covid-19 tests and results which at the time had created unspeakable
panic and fear.
Through President's
"maneuvering", a lot of questions emerged on whether the Tanzania
national lab equipment was fake and if it was not fake then there were
elements of sabotage within the national lab offices.
JPM and Barrick saga
In 2017, the Head
of State suspected foul play by a Canadian mining giant in Tanzania over
the exportation of mineral concentrates abroad for smelting, raising
critical questions why the mineral concentrates were transported under
tight security if they had no value. The President questioned!
His statement came
after the deployment of a group of experts who finally came up with
shocking information. After the report, JPM required the mining firm to
compensate Tanzania for the foul play since the 1990s when it started
operating in the East African nation.
This was another
JPM maneuver and a strong shock to mining companies since they started
operating in Africa. I have no record, if there is any other President
who has tried to "battle" with the large mining empire like Barrick Gold
in Africa and possibly the world at Large. I stand to be corrected!
Shift from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma capital city
In 2016, JPM ruled
out that by 2020 he wanted to see all government activities shifted to
Dodoma in full swing in line with the implementation of his Declaration
of shifting to Dodoma as per plan initiated by the Founding Father of
the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in 1973.
On December 15,
2017, Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially relocated to Dodoma,
becoming the second top official to leave Dar es Salaam for Dodoma
after Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa who landed first at the capital
city of Dodoma.
Out of no time, JPM
managed to maneuver something which was not possible within all ruling
times of Ally Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete.
JPM and tax collection
In 2017, President
Magufuli vowed to toughen a tax evasion crackdown by big companies,
including mining companies as a country strategy to boost domestic
revenue and get away from foreign dependency.
This was another
maneuver by JPM never seen before for a President reminding the other
"branch" to help the government in tax collection strategy. Magufuli
launched a crackdown on corrupt government officials at TRA, the
judiciary and other government offices.
JPM and the health sector
Tanzania has
registered tremendous health sector development. The number of health
centres tripled only within four years plus throughout the country.
Again, President
Magufuli recently announced newly created 1,000 posts for the health
sector, including doctors and other related jobs.
Tanzania needed a
President who can "maneuver" and be able to command the economy,
politics and people's social welfare. President Magufuli is very
aggressive and came in power at the right time.
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