Tanzania

African Union
George C. Marshall High School
Irmanrad Seyed Iranbomy & Donald Theodore Gordon Daniel

January 9-10, 2015

Topic 1: Addressing Current Health Issues

Along with millions of deaths, disease burdens education, economies, and social progress
throughout Africa. 1 Progress has been made in reducing malaria and HIV/AIDS impacts, in
large measure due to African Union initiatives.2 In Tanzania, malaria and HIV/AIDS deaths have
decreased by almost a half.3 Still, disease remains the top killer throughout the continent.4
Clearly, in the name of progress for Africa, further progress must be made in preventing the
spread and curing these grave health issues.
The United Republic of Tanzania supports the vast majority of actions taken by the
African Union to solve health problems such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Specifically, Tanzania
has worked to comply with the Abuja Declaration. The declaration created goals of committing
more money to government health sectors domestically and through donations from more
developed countries in the African Union. In 2013, Tanzania committed 10% of its budget
directly to the health sector, an increase from recent years that is working towards the Abuja
Declaration goal of a 15% dedication.5 The United Republic of Tanzania also has participated in
and supports the People Living with HIV Stigma Index Studies, which pools data and resources
from African Union studies to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS based discrimination.6
Perhaps the largest factor impeding solutions to health issues is underfunded health
systems.7 Before treatments can be distributed, mosquitoes monitored, HIV/AIDS discrimination
solved, or any significant, long-term health gain be made, these health systems require proper
1 "Factsheet: The Leading Causes of Death in Africa." Daily Maverick. Africa Check, 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2015.

2 "The African Regional Health Report: The Health of the People." WHO. WHO, n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2015.

3 United Republic of Tanzania. Vienna: UNIDO, 1986. World Health Organization. Web. 4 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccsbrief_tza_en.pdf>.

4 See footnote 1

5 (2013): n. pag. GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2012/2013. UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA MINISTRY OF
FINANCE. Web. 4 Jan. 2015. <http://www.opengov.go.tz/files/publications/attachments/CITIZENS_BUDGET_2012-2013__English_en_sw.pdf>.

6 "Working Report Measuring HIV Stigma: Results of a Field Test in Tanzania." (n.d.): n. pag. International Center for Research on Women.
USAID, June 2005. Web. 5 Jan. 2015.

7 See footnote 3.

funding. Financial resources need to be effectively drawn from more affluent countries and less
developed countries must distribute their own funds efficiently in tandem. Health issues must
also be solved by plans agreed upon by the entire African Union. This ensures cooperation and
that no country is left behind.
The United Republic of Tanzania proposes a five part solution in dealing with malaria
and HIV/AIDS. These steps include increasing health system funding, monitoring health system
funding, creating a forum to discuss successful steps taken by African Union Members in solving
health issues, drafting model laws, and educating the public.
For the first step, increasing health system funding, it should be noted that only five out
of the 22 African Union members listed as donor countries under the Abuja Declaration have
donated the 0.7% of their gross national income suggested to recipient African Union member
countries for their health systems.8 This lack of capital cripples countries abilities to meet health
goals. To increase donations, incentives such as increasing donation tax breaks for private
individuals and other innovative financing methods should be encouraged by the African Union.
Forums should be created to enact more specific options.
The second step the United Republic of Tanzania proposes is to monitor health system
funding. The World Health Organization reports that nearly 50% of such funds do not reach the
government.9 Solving this issue would dramatically increase efficiency of health systems and
quality of government programs. The United Republic of Tanzania strongly urges monitoring
programs to be established at all stages of funds movements and that African Union employed
financial advisors be used to advise governments on the most efficient use of the money.
Through these measures, more money will reach health systems and the money will be spent in
more beneficial ways.
The United Republic of Tanzania also suggests a forum be created to discuss programs to
solve malaria and HIV/AIDS that have been successful in African Union member countries.
Strategies-whether of drugs, insecticide use, education, etc- and implementations successes and
failures are invaluable in creating action plans to solve disease. Such a forum could exchange
these results and allow the creation of more effective solutions to health issues.
The United Republic of Tanzania also proposes the drafting of model laws to combat
HIV/AIDS discrimination. Building on the success of the People Living with HIV Stigma Index
Studies, the United Republic of Tanzania suggest the African Union take a step further and
morph agreed on principles in solving HIV/AIDS discrimination into a model law. Similar to the
Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization10, such a model provides a
needed basis for African Union members who lack measures to officially fight such
discrimination.
8 See footnote 3

9 See footnote 3

As a final step to combat health issues in Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania
proposes HIV/AIDS education guidelines be created by the African Union. The Science
Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities Organization has shown that proper
education can both decrease cases of HIV/AIDS and increase the socio-economic standing of
those afflicted with the disease.11 Therefore, education is a key step in solving health and socioeconomic problems presented with disease.

Topic 2: Promoting Democratic Institutions within Africa

Since the late 20th century, democracies in Africa have seen much progress.12 Throughout
the continent, free elections, multiparty systems, and separation of powers-the lifeblood of stable
democracies-are becoming the norm.13 That is not to say, however, that the path to universal,
complete democracies in Africa is without obstacles. Among many issues, corruption and
questionable elections must be dealt with to truly see progress. Issues of democracy protests and
intrusion from countries outside of the African Union further muddle the matter. Much has been
done, but much more still needs to be.
The United Republic of Tanzania supports virtually all of the African Union's actions
towards encouraging democracy. Specifically, Tanzania supports the outlining of democracies in
Africa in the African Charter of Democracy, Elections, and Governance.14The United Republic of
Tanzania also supports the creation and purpose of the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit
10 "NEPAD Leads Discussions on a Critical Law to Regulate Good Quality and Affordable Medicine in Africa." The New Partnership for
Africa's Development. African Union, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.

11 Meyer, Debra. "HIV/AIDS and Education in Africa." SENCER. SENCER, July 2003. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.

12 "It's Progress, Even If It's Patchy." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 01 Oct. 2011. Web. 07 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.economist.com/node/21531010>.

13 Van De Walle, Nicolas. "The Impact of Multi-Party Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa." Norwegian Association for Development Research
Annual Conference, 5-6 Oct. 2000. Web. 07 Jan. 2015. <https://democracy.stanford.edu/Seminar/Walle.htm>.

14 "AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE." (n.d.): n. pag. African Union. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http://www.ipu.org/idd-E/afr_charter.pdf>.

by the African Union and its member states.15 Tanzania is a democratic republic with a separation of
powers, multi-party system, and other defining characteristics of a democracy.16 However, corruption
poses a significant threat to the workings of the United Republic of Tanzanias governing system, and as a
result, the past and present governments have taken action through legislation to solve the issue. Tanzania
acknowledges that there is still much to be done.
The United Republic of Tanzania would like to discuss three pressing issues facing the committee
today: worries of international intrusion affecting democracys growth, questionable elections, and if prodemocracy protesters should be aided by the African Union.
On the first topic, international intrusion (specifically by China), the United Republic of Tanzania
strongly discourages removal of outside economic aid. Many countries in Africa face financial issues with
infrastructure, health services, education, and debt relief. Aid from countries such as China provides
billions of dollars to sectors that directly benefit the public. In Tanzania, China recently supplied capital to
expand education, power supply, and water outside of urban areas. 17 Taking away these funds only hurts
African Union members. Economic ties with western countries should be publicly encouraged by the
African Union, but China aid need not be sacrificed as a result.
A second issue the African Union faces in regard to promoting democratic institutions is the
promotion of free elections. The United Republic of Tanzania proposes the development of an African
Union election monitor, the establishment of a fund for election technical and logistical assistance, and
the drafting of model laws to deter corruption in the voting process. The first step, developing an African
Union election monitor, is key to determining issues with current elections. These issues could then be
taken into consideration for further African Union actions and be presented to the public to encourage
change. A fund for technical and logistical support is also key in getting as many eligible voters to polling
locations, regardless of income, residence, or disabilities. Finally, model laws could be based on
successful legislation and creations of institutions in Africa, providing effective ways to cut down on
corruption that tarnishes the democratic process.
The United Republic of Tanzania would also like to address the possibility of African Union
assistance towards pro-democracy protests.As stated above, Tanzania is strongly devoted to the
democratic process. However, the United Republic of Tanzania would like to point out that African Union
countries are sovereign states. The African Union acts to promote democratic ideals, but it also stands to
15 Abdullahi, Aisha. "AU the Democracy and Election Assistance Site." AU the Democracy and Election Assistance Site. African Union, n.d.
Web. 07 Jan. 2015. <http://www.au-elections.org/>.

16 "Democracy Index 2012-Tanzania." Knoema. Knoema, 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 07 Jan. 2015. <http://knoema.com/bhpllke/democracy-index2012?country=1000850-tanzania>.

17 Provist, Claire, and Rich Harris. "China Commits Billions in Aid to Africa as Part of Charm Offensive." The Guardian. The Guardian, 29
Apr. 2013. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fglobal-development%2Finteractive%2F2013%2Fapr
%2F29%2Fchina-commits-billions-aid-africa-interactive>.

protect its members rights as sovereign states18. If the African Union acted to assist protesters, they would
interfere in the countries involved ability to enact their laws in protecting their people and promoting
safety. While the African Union should be active in promoting democracy, fueling anti-government anger
is no solution.

18 "African Union Handbook." (n.d.): n. pag. African Union. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http://www.au.int/en/sites/default/files/MFA%20AU
%20Handbook%20-%20Text%20v10b%20interactive.pdf>.