Sokoine revered as pillar of strength during economic turbulences

DAR ES SALAAM: FORMER Prime Minister Edward Sokoine, will be remembered as a strong, hardworking and honest leader deeply committed to enhancing the lives of Tanzanians, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Anna Makinda has said.

Speaking at a book review about the late Sokoine in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday Ms Makinda said the former Premier would be remembered for his relentless efforts to improve the lives of Tanzanians during the challenging economic hardships exacerbated by the Kagera War of 1978/79.

She highlighted his role in championing a government crackdown on economic saboteurs who hoarded essential goods to profiteers during a time of severe shortages caused by poor local production.

“People ran away leaving behind the goods they had stashed away,” said Ms Makinda who was the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office during Sokoine’s tenure and in charge of a coordinating committee of the crackdown.

Sokoine served two terms as Prime Minister of Tanzania, from 1977 to 1980 and from 1983 to 1984. He died in a tragic road crash on April 12, 1984, near Morogoro while returning to Dar es Salaam from Dodoma.

“He fought very hard against the hoarding of essential goods by economic saboteurs,” Ms Makinda said noting that his decisive actions aimed to restore fairness and accessibility in a struggling economy, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the well-being of ordinary Tanzanians.

The crackdown on economic saboteurs marked a pivotal moment in Sokoine’s leadership, demonstrating his dedication to social equity in difficult times, she said.

She noted that former Premier Sokoine would also be remembered as one of the few leaders who remained free from corruption.

Ms Makinda recounted an incident in which a minister presented him with a cow as a gift. Instead of accepting it, Sokoine insisted on buying the cow, writing the minister a cheque.

“One minister brought him a cow as a gift. He wrote him a cheque to buy it,” she said.

She described Sokoine as a workaholic who often laboured around the clock to complete his tasks. It was not uncommon for him to call his subordinates at all hours of the night to ask questions or seek clarification.

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“Even on the day he died, he was working,” she said, recalling that Sokoine was reportedly reading documents from files he had brought with him on a car trip from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam, which tragically ended in a road crash near Morogoro.

She described Sokoine as a deeply religious individual who never missed church services and regularly participated in overnight vigils, attending three such services each year at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Dar es Salaam.

“Additionally, he was a very devout person. He would spend three nights a year in prayer at St Joseph’s Church,” she said.

Ms Makinda noted that the majority of ordinary Tanzanians supported the war he waged against economic saboteurs, recognising it as a testament to his concern for their well-being. Sokoine’s actions aimed to restore fairness and accessibility in a struggling economy.

Ms Makinda praised Sokoine as a leader who was selfless and committed to serving the people. She expressed disappointment that this kind of leadership is often overlooked today.

“Leadership isn’t about pursuing personal gain. It’s about serving the people. I think this essential point is missing nowadays. True leadership is rooted in honesty and integrity,” she said.

Former Minister for Trade, Ambassador Ali Mchumo, added that Sokoine was a bold and confident leader, known for his meticulous attention to detail in the assignments he gave to his ministers.

“Former Speaker Makinda has spoken very well about Sokoine, but let me add that he was bold and confident and exceptionally attentive to details,” he said, recalling the day Sokoine instructed him and former Minister Jackson Makweta to travel to Kagera during the Kagera War. He directed them to pass through every region and instruct regional commissioners to prepare militia forces to support the army.

An Economist, Dr Ramesh Shah, who was a lecturer at the Moshi Cooperative College during Sokoine’s tenure, praised him as a bold and courageous leader who was not tainted with corruption.

He told the ‘Daily News’ that Sokoine was instrumental in restoring good bilateral relations with Kenya during a period of tension that followed the breakup of the East African Community in 1977.

“Additionally, Sokoine was behind the opening of the border to help Tanzanians get basic commodities from Kenya.”

“He was very courageous and very progressive and non-corrupt leader,” Shah said. “Remember shop shelves were empty; we had no basic commodities. He worked hard to make sure the border with Kenya is reopened so that people can get essential goods.”

The book on the late Sokoine, titled “Edward Moringe Sokoine: Maisha na Uongozi Wake” will debut on September 30, 2024 at a special ceremony at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), Dar es Salaam.

The book, prepared in collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture, covers his life journey from the Maasai community to serving various leadership roles including as Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania. It expands the historical record of Tanzania and the wider continent.