Despite his burning ambition the late Edward Lowassa was ever the bridesmaid and never the bride, but his career exemplified national politics, Edward Lowassa, who has died aged 70, was a close friend, confidant and ally of ex-President Jakaya Kikwete who spent a fortune advancing his prospects and embracing any part of the ideological spectrum that would help him, but without reaching the highest office of all. His career reveals much about Tanzania s government and politics, particularly the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
In the rise and fall of Dr Slaa, we witness a compelling narrative of a man who has transitioned between diverse roles, from the priesthood to politics and from diplomacy to opposition.
The president s commitment to free speech is being questioned after the arrest of opposition and civil society activists who criticised the deal with the UAE, The government s heavy-handed response to critics of a controversial port deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has prompted condemnation from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.