It is now official that former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair will rebuild the United Republic of Tanzania’s International Reputation. He is now hired as a spokesperson and his Institute will handle it internationally. However, has even been able to save his own reputation?
Tony Blair isn’t a saint and neither a man of character which you should trust. Blair is lucky that haven’t been charged and taken to the Hague. The Chilcot Report haven’t had any consequences and this man is now a trustworthy man? Seriously? His a warlord who went into war without the proof and evidence, which he claimed they had. He participated and ensured a Iraqi conflict for personal gains and for the imperial goals of USA and UK. Therefore, Blair isn’t the guy to trust. Even if his selling that.
Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) and President Samia Suluhu Hassan hiring Blair is nonsense. The Tanzanian government should stop with the political crackdown and silencing of critics. If the state didn’t do that and acted as a sincere government. Than they wouldn’t need to hire a despicable character like Blair. It is weird that CCM wants to spend funds and feeding an imperialist like him.
The reputation created by the CCM has been self-inflicted. The government should use phony charges on opposition leaders and keep them detained indefinitely. Neither should the government suspend papers for writing critical pieces. If not suspend papers for leaking probable future Presidential Candidature of herself. So, if the state wants to look better. Don’t arrest comedians and journalists. Also, don’t kidnap activists and silence the opposition who wants to question the current constitution.
Maybe, the CCM should try to act sincere and holier than thou. I know that is too much to ask. Since, opposition leaders who dares to question the powers to be… is criminals and treasonous. If not they are automatically terrorists. That’s why the ones questioning the state gets into legal jeopardy, frozen bank-accounts and not allowed to the community again. They are lingering in jail and awaiting freedom.
So, if the state wanted another reputation. Maybe, just maybe… don’t do that and allow the opposition and activists to gather, organize and be viable parties in the United Republic. The CCM isn’t willing to do that. However, they are instead willing to pay and hire an British hack to save the PR abroad. Nevertheless, people like me will address the truth. Maybe, the CCM and the state shouldn’t try to assassinate Tundu Lissu either. However, they are not taking responsibility for that and the reasons for his continued exile.
The CCM should look into itself and its actions. We know they won’t do it… because they doesn’t have the courage or heart to do so. They could easily make positive headlines and create a better reputation. That they could do without Blair and his Institute. He will get a huge pay-check and easily enjoy the perks of it. While Tanzania will still look bad, because the truth will come out. Even if Blair is able to write some random propaganda ala Weapons of Mass Destruction before the Iraqi war. Therefore, why trust this man to save you? He cannot even save his own reputation?
It would be better to get Taylor Swift singing about Reputation and have the new President dancing to it. That would go viral and be a fun moment. However, that would never gloss over the crackdown on opposition, which is currently done in the Republic. Peace.