‘We will rule forever,’ says Tanzania’s Magufuli

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has said his party will be “in power forever, for eternity”, according to a report by news agency AFP. Mr Magufuli’s comments were broadcast on radio on Monday evening, and come hot on the heels of his controversial suggestion that prisoners be made to work long hours, and be punished if they are lazy.

“The CCM [his Chama Cha Mapinduzi party] is here and will continue to be here – forever,” he said.

“Members of the CCM, you can walk with your heads held high. There is no alternative to the CCM.”

He added party opponents will “always have problems”.

Rights groups have accused him of growing intolerance, and Mr Magufuli has lost his initial huge popularity by clamping down on the media and targeting opposition politicians.

Mr Magufuli is not the first leader to make such a prediction.

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma said in 2008 that the governing African National Congress will rule “until Jesus comes back” and in 2014 he said the party will rule “forever and ever”.

BBC

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