Tanzania’s New President, John Magufuli Cancels Independence Day Celebrations

Tanzania’s new President John Magufuli has cancelled his country’s Independence Day celebrations.

For the first time in 50 years, the people of Tanzania won't be gathering for speeches, traditional dances, military parades and flypasts. Instead, President Magufuli wants Tanzanians to gather and clean markets, schools and and public spaces.

It would be "shameful" to spend huge sums of money on the celebrations when "our people are dying of cholera", he said, state television reported.

According to President Magufuli spokesperson, the money which was meant for the annual celebration will be spent on combatting cholera, a chronic problem in many poor suburbs lacking proper sanitation in the country

President Magufuli took office about 3 weeks ago—and this cancellation is the latest on his agenda of cutting government cost and putting the country’s money where it’s important.