Tim Clarke © EC
“With such potential Tanzania could do so much better”: Interview with Ambassador Tim Clarke, head of the European Union delegation in Tanzania
“With such potential Tanzania could do so much better”: Interview with Ambassador Tim Clarke, head of the European Union delegation in Tanzania
“Twenty years ago I spent five years in Tanzania as rural development adviser, working for the European Commission”, Tim Clarke tells us. “We managed what was then the biggest European agricultural programme in Africa, alongside that of Senegal. Today, 20 years later, people don’t like it when I say that the level of poverty in rural areas seems to have remained almost unchanged. Perhaps not surprising since in the same period the population has doubled.”
Agriculture is at the heart of the Tanzanian Government’s fight against poverty. Last year it launched its vast ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ (‘Agriculture First’) programme. “I am afraid that many view this as no more than old wine in a new bottle. Although the jury is still out, the results of this new strategy are yet to be seen. Generation after generation of families in the rural areas continue to live in poverty. Having said this, extra budgetary resources have been allocated to Agriculture in the 2011 Budget. So I remain cautiously optimistic.”
Nyerere’s leadership
“Nyerere had already understood this 20 years ago”, continues Tim Clarke. Nyerere is ‘the’ reference cited by everyone you speak to in Tanzania. The EU ambassador is no exception. “His image remains considerable. He was an international star, even if his actions in the social field proved to be unrealistic. He was a modest and humble man. He understood that agriculture was at the core of everything, and that reform of agriculture was critical to achieve positive change. He didn't have all the right answers, but he remains a revered person nevertheless.”
Nyerere is the reference for all African countries seeking independence and roots. Tanzania still aspires to a leadership role and, adds Tim Clarke, it is true that “its attitude to refugees is exemplary. The interior minister’s decision to naturalise 160,000 non-nationals is unique. This is ‘pure Nyerere’, in keeping with his Ujamaa policy of working for the common good. In Tanzania you find both this extraordinary sense of human compassion and, at the same time, a curious fortress mentality; the desire for a Tanzania for the Tanzanians.”
Combating corruption
But the party founded by Nyerere, the CCM, is suffering from its longevity. “It has been in power for 49 years now, a record for Africa, if not the world”, observes Tim Clarke. “And it is not without its problems. Corruption sadly seems to dominate political life today. The government has adopted some positive measures, such as setting up a Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) and giving it some teeth. But too many view this as a smokescreen. Too much money ‘leaks’ from the public sector. There is a public sector reform programme in place, which we are supporting. But it needs to be invigorated. The transit of goods within the country and the region is subject to repeated police checks that increase economic costs, and in some cases, notably for fresh agricultural produce, leads to unnecessary spoilage. Intensive efforts need to be made to reduce such non-tariff barriers to trade within and outside Tanzania. Neither we, nor other partners, have been able to have a really serious in-depth discussion on Governance and Corruption issues. But I am sure it will come.”
Abandoning old habits
“Most of our aid is in the form of general and sectoral support for the state budget. But due to the lack of a clear link between the injection of resources and outcomes achieved – real measurable deliverables – some EU Member States are becoming increasingly reluctant to use this form of financial instrument. We would like more dialogue on governance and accountability issues.” Tim Clarke goes on to say that: “The management of public resources must be improved allowing the public and private sectors to work together in a synergetic way. The common cry from all is to reduce bureaucracy and stamp out corruption at all levels. Then, we believe, there will be tangible progress, with real economic benefits to the poor.” “My job”, he adds, “is to help create a sound business environment, to support the capacity of institutions involved in cooperation and ultimately allow Tanzania to stand on its own feet. I remain convinced that Tanzania has the potential and the resources to do this. We remain a respected partner, but there continues to be some discrepancy between our expectations and what the Tanzanians think and do”.
“It is true that the country has good macroeconomic stability. It has adequate budget support and is moving in the right direction. But in Tanzania many of those in the donor community feel that it is failing to realise its potential.” The reasons? “I don't know. If there was a magic bullet it should have been found by now. Agricultural development is difficult, and takes time. There is a strange fear of seeing the Kenyans, the Ugandans and other outsiders gain control of the economy. But this is misguided – the latest figures show that it is Tanzania that is doing as well or even better than other members of the East African Community in terms of intra-regional trade. The strong socialist mentality is still very deep, and although the private sector is making some headway, it remains a very challenging process.”
“While agriculture should be the principal means of wealth creation, we are still seeing poor management of natural resources. Deforestation is increasing, and we see soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. And I do not feel enough resources are being mobilised by the government to tackle these issues.” He also believes that land tenure issues are at the heart of the problem, with preventing small scale farmers unable to exploit new opportunities. The simple hoe (‘jembe’) remains the dominant agricultural implement for farmers. This is a problem that is well known in many African countries, and there are no simple solutions. A passionate Tim Clarke continues: “The same is true in the health sector. The conditions in the hospitals are sometimes dreadful, with two or three people having to share the same bed.” But there are marvellous exceptions. He cites the CCBRT hospital programme (read separate article) which is caring for disabled people in Dar es Salaam as: “la crème de la crème”.
International credibility
Tanzania nevertheless remains a favoured international interlocutor in matters of Africa policy. Tanzanian President Kikwete was one of three leaders (together with the Liberian and Rwandan presidents) to be invited to speak at a conference organised by US President Barack Obama. “The links with China are also important, as indicated by the Chinese leader’s visit, a rare event. It is with the Chinese that most contracts are signed. Also notable is the Iranian vice president’s visit, as links with the Muslim world are also important.” President Kikwete has headed the African Union, today he chairs the EAC or East African Community (read the interview with its Secretary General). This counts and the ambassador admits that “the EU did not invest sufficiently and failed to play this card”. But he also believes that President Kikwete could have used his present position within the EAC to advance the economic agenda. In the meantime, the EU has a limited dialogue with the EAC, even if EU funds are allocated to it indirectly, essentially to support government actions in favour of human rights and, in the future, in infrastructure. “My colleagues and I are trying to put a political dialogue into place”, answers Tim Clarke. A dialogue that is all the more important as Tanzania has chosen finally to negotiate its future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU within the EAC, abandoning membership of the Southern Africa bloc. EPAs that are still proving difficult to finalise. “The political will within the EAC remains lukewarm”, believes Tim Clarke. Hence the importance of future EAC/EU dialogue.