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Tanzanians Approach Election with Economic Advances, Rights Squeezed

Charles Kombe

   DAR ES SALAAM - Tanzania is heading toward October elections after five
   years under President John Magufuli.'¯'¯He has initiated major
   infrastructure projects and fought official corruption. But critics
   accuse Magufuli of ignoring concerns about the projects and cracking
   down on opponents and freedom of the press.'¯

   Like 16% of rural Tanzanians, 87-year-old Zainabu Mohamed has lived
   without power for 30 years.

   But she hopes the Rufiji hydropower project will change that by making
   electricity cheap enough for her to afford.

   "When the electricity project is completed, I will not have to use a
   kerosene lamp anymore," Mohamed said, adding that things will be better
   as she'll have electricity.

   One of President John Magufuli's megaprojects, the dam is expected to
   be finished in 2022 and provide 2,100 megawatts of electricity,
   tripling Tanzania's hydropower.

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