Sweden`s Ambassador to Tanzania, Staffan Harrstrom, has said he ends his tour of duty soon with “optimism and very fond memories of this fantastic country and its wonderful people”.
He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with The Guardian in Dar es Salaam earlier this week, expressing “a strong wish that the commitment to the quest for lasting peace and tranquility in Zanzibar through the formation of a government of national unity will be maintained”.
He noted that the first thing that often comes to his mind as he reflects on his three-year stay in Tanzania is the search for sustainable peace in the Isles.
“I am hugely encouraged by the reconciliation process in Zanzibar, and I am saying this openly because this has been a major concern during my whole period here,” the envoy, who is due take up a similar post in Vietnam on September 1, pointed out.
He added: “One message I have for Tanzanians as I leave before the October General Election is that I sincerely congratulate the political leaders on their decision to seek reconciliation and unity. To me, that is part of a political solution for Zanzibar that gives influence to both the winning and the losing side. This is the concept of a government of national unity.”
Ambassador Harrstrom said his hope was that all the parties committed to the reconciliation process in the Isles “will continue all the way so that, through that, we see free and fair and therefore peaceful elections because I think peace is key to the future development of Zanzibar”.
He meanwhile also called on the Union government to speed up action on a set of six reform commitments aimed at improving various aspects of the nation, including the social and economic development front.
“I feel that Tanzania needs to speed up implementation of business climate and other reforms if it is to be able to fight poverty better. And I think the co-operation between the five East Africa states such as opening up borders, opening up for trade - will help stimulate that kind of reform and in turn improve the living standards for ordinary Tanzanians,” he said.
He noted he was saddened seeing Tanzania slip in rankings related to the cost of doing business, adding that it was also a matter of concern that reforms in the public financial management system were not working satisfactorily.
According to the envoy, steady reforms in local governments, the legal sector, the public service and as relates to issue of corruption in party politics will help trigger changes that will in turn contribute to poverty reduction.
He explained that he had been to many parts of Tanzania and noted that the country has made some progress on the economic front “though I believe more can be done in this area by creating conditions for the private sector to become more productive”.
Elaborating on some of the other salient developments he has noted while in Tanzania, Harrstrom said: “I have seen within these three years development of domestic accountability, including the revitalisation of the National Assembly (parliament) and its oversight role. I think that is, and will be, one of the most important driving forces of the change needed.”
He added: “I have also seen strengthening of several other key institutions such as the Office of the Controller and Auditor General’s Office - a really important step forward in terms of , again, strengthening oversight role.”
But he would not keep his reservations to himself, and stated: “While acknowledging development undoubtedly has taken place in terms of economic development these last 20 years, I think it is crucial to address corruption by taking all suspects to court and making sure that transparency is widened. And this is what is expected from any government; but again it is crucial to focus on implementation.”
Turning to an issue known to be one of those especially close to his heart, he said it was a multiple tragedy for schoolgirls falling pregnant because they were also thrown out of school – and some sent away from home – and most ended up leading miserable lives in early marriages or as helpless single parents.
He underlined the need to help pregnant schoolgirls and young mothers to continue with their studies “instead of being expelled and thus being deprived of their right to education”.
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