Tanzanian President Magufuli may have some controversial – bordering on deplorable policies towards homosexuals and young women, however he does have a point when stating that at least China’s humanitarian aid “is not tied to any conditions”.
Recent decisions have by for example Denmark withholding aid due to a Homophobic comment made by a minister (who’s view the President never endorsed in any way) and the World Bank suspending a major educational project because of an admittedly terrible comment from him regarding pregnant school girls being expelled.
The problem with these decisions is that it will hurt the people who have the most to gain while having little effect on the powers that be. This is short sited and any moral sanctions should be better targeted. On this we have to support China’s decision to build an educational library for the good of the population as a whole irregardless of their views on what the politicians say. This will of course push Tanzania and many onlooking African countries into closer ties with them.
