Benjamin William Mkapa
Mkapa is credited with turning around Tanzania's economy during his 10 years as president. Having served as press secretary to the late former socialist president Julius Nyerere, Mkapa transformed the country from a socialist state to a free market economy. Mkapa's tenure was marked by political moderation and tolerance and a high level of political maturity among the citizens.
In October 2005 outgoing Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa urged African leaders to nurture the gains from the democratization process taking place on the continent. "As developing countries we are all faced with challenges of political, social and economic nature in constructing a modernizing nations," he said. "We have together witnessed the democratization process sweeping the African continent. Our two countries are not exempt from this process. The on-going debate on the constitution of the republic of Kenya, we Tanzanians take as a manifestation of a healthy democracy.
"Our current multi-party campaign process is not devoid of controversy or litigation," Mr. Mkapa added. " Against the prophets of doom and the prophets of failed states, let us affirm the integrity of our nations vision that our peoples unity is paramount and that our political sovereignty is dynamic."
President Mkapa praised the Kenyan people for achieving high economic growth and for nurturing a sound democratic political system. President Mkapa was a quiet scholar and reserved statesman, buy he nevertheless wrought a quiet economic revolution in this country which sparked a 5 to 6 percent growth rate over the last five years.
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