By-Liner

Democracy in Action

November 10, 2008

By: Mark Green

Last Tuesday, on November 4th, the people of the United States went to the polls to choose Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. While it was the most watched election, it wasn't the only contest that evening. Throughout the fifty states, American citizens went to the polls to also elect their Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress, and countless state and local officials. As Americans here at the U.S. Mission to Tanzania, the 2008 U.S. Elections are an opportunity for us to celebrate and share our traditions of democracy with our friends throughout Tanzania. For us and for the United States, the results mark the beginning of a time of transition, to new leadership and toward new opportunities.

Democracy works for the people. A democratic system ensures our governments serve us. Democracy educates our children, cares for our sick, and ensures the common wealth and security of our nation. Democracy works because it gives ordinary citizens control over their government through the power of their vote. As a citizen, casting your vote serves as your voice on issues and policies important to you.

All democracies should rest on key fundamental principles. Most notably, these include the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Well functioning democracies share common characteristics: free and fair elections, respect for the rule of law, open and transparent institutions of government, and effective measures to combat public and private corruption and illicit enrichment by any member of government. Those who have engaged in corruption in the past should be held accountable.

Strong democracies meet the needs of their people. They invest in their people through education and health care; they ensure economic opportunity for all; and they create an environment of peace and security in which each individual can thrive.

As a friend and partner of Tanzania, the United States Government and the American people are working with Tanzanians to strengthen and enrich democratic institutions throughout the United Republic of Tanzania. Our programs address health care issues, particularly HIV/AIDS and malaria, strengthen education through the refurbishment of schools, and as important, assist in this country's difficult fight against corruption by supporting transparency and accountability initiatives at the local and national level.

American engagement with Tanzania is broad and deep, and we expect it to remain such in the new Obama Administration. Our poverty-fighting measures promote economic growth through support for wealth creation, food security, infrastructural development and other key components of what the Tanzanian government has asked us to do. We will also continue to engage actively with Tanzania’s military and police services, promoting peace and security by supporting efforts to improve capabilities in such areas as maritime security, peacekeeping support, and trafficking-in-persons interdiction.

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln defined American democracy as government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Since then, Americans view this phrase as the defining path of our electoral system. With the results of the U.S. elections, one thing is certain: It is the spirit of "we the people" that has prevailed.

Americans appreciate the kind words and gracious gestures of support President-elect Obama has received from throughout the world, including here in Tanzania. We wish the best to all wananchi as this nation defines its own political history and seeks to determine its short, medium, and long term democracy goals as it strengthens its own sense of "we the people" for Tanzania's future.

Mark Green is the Ambassador of the United States of America in Tanzania.