Expect the Unexpected? The Poli-tricks of Central-Local Government Relationship in Tanzania

Local government presupposes the existence of central authority to which is subordinate despite the relative autonomy of its organs. Three views paint the nature of relationships between central-local governments in Tanzania. The first view conceives local governments as instruments of the centre whose mandate is implementing public policies. Second, local governments are seen as partners of the centre, implementing public policies in a coherent manner with some levels of discretion. Third, central and local governments are certainly different governments which have mutual dependence. This article offers an overview on the dynamics of central-local relationship to uncover expectation of establishing self-governing authorities at the local levels as stipulated in the Local Government Reform and the D-by-D policy or the Policy Paper on Local Government Reforms. In addition, it highlights unwillingness of the centre to give autonomy to local authorities. Using document analysis, our analysis shows that local authorities have been agents of the central government, primarily responsive to their political master, not partners in national administration and development. These unhealthy arrangements limit local government capacity to serve their clients accordingly. Thus, considering autonomous local authorities as a vehicle to national development is essential for healthy decentralisation of central-local relations.