Benjamin Mkapa, former President of Tanzania

Benjamin W. Mkapa, a journalist, diplomat and politician, was elected President of Tanzania in November 1995 and was re-elected President in 2000 for another five year term. He was the third President of the United Republic of Tanzania since independence in 1961.

Mr. Mkapa's long diplomatic career included a number of high postings, including High Commissioner to Nigeria, Minister for Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to the United States of America. He returned home in 1984 where he was again appointed Member of Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Following these overseas assignments, he returned home to Tanzania as was appointed the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, prior to being elected President in 1995.

During his term Mr. Mkapa continued the liberalization of the economy that began under his predecessor. He privatized most of the state owned corporations and pursued free market policies designed to attract foreign investment. His policies won the support of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and resulted in the cancellation of some of Tanzania's foreign debts. Throughout his political career, Mr. Mkapa has worked to strengthen Tanzanian democracy, entrench civil rights and fight poverty, while increasing the country's openness to international trade and investment. He is active in conflict prevention, management and resolution in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and is an active player in regional economic co-operation within the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community of which he is Chairperson.