“I’m Building My Own ‘Europe’ Here”— Magufuli Explains Why He’s Never Traveled Overseas

Tanzanian President John Magufuli says he has not traveled to Europe since he took office in 2015 because he has been busy developing his country to European standards.

“I did not go to Europe because I knew Europe is also here. The kinds of projects we are undertaking will definitely turn Tanzania into another Europe,” he told supporters during a rally.

Tanzania is undertaking the construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam through the central corridor connecting Tanzania to DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda as one of the major infrastructure projects for Magufuli legacy as he takes a second term.

“I will surprise you in the next five years if you vote for me again,” Magufuli said, adding that; “I want to make Tanzania another Europe so that Europeans would come here to see good things,”

Magufuli is seeking re-election in the October elections. His critics said last week that widespread irregularities had taken place in the enrollment of their candidates for elections.

The leading opposition candidate, Tundu Lissu, said dozens of candidates from his party for both parliament and local councils had been disqualified for “unfair reasons”

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Ten foreign missions in Tanzania have called for a “free and fair” elections next month, amid concern by rights group on increased repression of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations.

The missions said security for all contestants and impartiality of institutions in charge of managing the elections will “strengthen the legitimacy of the elections”.

The joint statement was released by missions representing Canada, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.