Dar es Salaam, March 2 -- TANZANIA: HE became the President of Tanzania when the economy was in serious difficulties. People were lining up for food and other basic goods as agriculture and manufacturing production had fallen too low to meet growing demand.

Exports had also declined as volume of cash crop production declined depleting foreign currency reserves and curtailed imports of petroleum products, necessary raw materials for the manufacturing sector and food items. Ali Hassan Mwinyi was a steadfast soul who navigated through the storm.

He will be remembered as a captain who kept a sinking boat afloat. It was not easy. The waters were rough.

The prevailing situation had led to a sluggish economy with key macroeconomic indicators ...