Why Dar residents lose hope with CA discussion process

As the Constituent Assembly (CA) in Dodoma is getting prepared to elect its permanent Chairperson today , some Dar es Salaam residents have expressed their disappointments over the slow pace of the constitutional process which entered its 23^rd day since it started three weeks ago. In an exclusive interview last week at different times, some have expressed dismay over the matter wondering how members of the CA behave and sometimes causing uproar in the house an aspect that forced an interim chairman Ameir Pandu Kificho to declare a premature adjournment of business in the house. Maimuna Rajab (52), an entrepreneur and self employed woman residing in Ilala district said that, she expected to see members showing good manners and obey the orders prior to the discussions of the new constitution which could at least give a sigh of relief for the future of all Tanzanians. But the prevailing chaotic situation dominated in the CA has made her to lose hope contrary to her earlier expectations, the CA members would organize themselves properly and critically knowing well that what they are preparing is an utmost document for the country. Joseph Mwakitono (60) a resident of Kawe said that, the slow pace of the discussions in the house coupled by misunderstandings among members themselves, is sufficient indication which has proved failure in the long run of the national draft of constitution in place.

Mr. Christopher Ole-Sendeka (CCM) Simanjiro

However, he exposed his worries over the process saying that, the current debate seems to have been hijacked by few politicians who drives the motion for the benefits of their political parties and not the future of Tanzanians as a whole. Cecilia Adhiambo (32), a Kenyan business woman  who met with the writer of this news on her business shopping spree at Kariakoo in the city, has predicted that Tanzanians would not get a fair constitution as she wondered how members of the CA behaves when she viewed in a television screen in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. She said that, if the CA is still discussing its standing orders in chaotic manner, what is likely to happen when discussions on the draft starts, and queried if CA members would ever reach into actual consensus really. On Thursday last week, the Executive Director of Human Rights Legal Centre (HRLC), Dr. Helen Kijo Bisimba was quoted by media when she expressed her dismay over the conduct of the CA process saying that, the behaviors shown by the members were extremely shameful and disappointing.

Dr. Helen Kijo Bisimba

 

She explained the situation which happened in the house on Thursday this week and noted that, members were jeering and perpetrating chaos which ultimately caused misunderstanding among members, thus forcing the interim Chairman to adjourn the house proceedings. “This is shameful for ordinary Tanzanians bearing in mind the fact that, members of the CA are the pillars and close representatives for them in this constitutional review making process” she said adding that, it has lost its direction.  Apart from chaos and misbehaviors shown by some members in CA, some of them were interviewed this week as saying that, were not ready to be bulldozed by other people’s views over the issue of open voting system or secret voting on every provisions to be passed by the house.

Dr. Cyril Chami (CCM) Moshi rural

 

However, the issue of open or secret voting system which has not yet reached by the house has become a subject of debate among members most of whom from the CCM ruling party who have been touting to have an open voting system to rule out every provision contrary to the directives as endorsed in the referendum. Dr. Cyril Chami, former cabinet minister and current legislator for Moshi Rural (CCM) has said that, even at the United Nations sessions, all votes are cast in secret ballots and not in open systems as it is forced by some members of the CCM ruling party. Citing Kenya and Ghana he said the two countries used a secret voting system adding that the Zanzibar referendum also used a secret voting system. However, he queried what is it so special with the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Mr. David Kafulila (NCCR-Mageuzi)

David Kafulila, a CA member and Kigoma South legislator (NCCR-Mageuzi) expressed his views and noted that, CCM is touting for an open voting system to see its members who would betray the directives of their chairman and the party’s wish when it announced that it was after two tier government structure. Kafiulila is on the view of the fact that, CCM is afraid incase the secret voting system would be applied, they would lose some of the provisions which they have decided to be removed in the draft constitution through voting  as their members would betray them. Christopher Ole Sendeka (CCM) a legislator for Simanjiro said that, members of CA should know that, have come here (Dodoma) to discuss the proposals of their people as endorsed by Constitution Review Commission team led by Judge Joseph Warioba and not otherwise. He has predicted that, people might go on strike and cause unnecessary chaos if their proposals would be rejected and replaced by other ideas which are not theirs.

Former Attorney General Mark Bomani

Former Attorney General Mark Bomani echoed his concern early this week in Dar es Salaam when he was quoted for faulting the ruling CCM party which he has accused of abusing the whole process of the CA calling its top leaders not to interfere with the process. He said the action by CCM party to tamper with the draft constitution by forcing its members  not to accept wit some provisions, is a total violation of basic human rights of Tanzanians. He added that CCM party should give liberty to its members in CA to make own decision over the draft and not forcing them in any way. Another CA member, Constantine Akitanda who is also chairman of the newly registered political party, CCJ has noted that, the whole process of the CA is being dominated by members of the ruling CCM party whose number absorbs the majority in the house. Speaking on the delay of the CA, National Assembly clerk Dr. Thomas Kashilila said that, the permanent chairman of the CA would be held after the completion of the discussion on the standing orders which are the main pillars to be used to conduct the house. This he said would depend on the approval of house standing orders whose discussion has consumed more time to make members understand thoroughly the main concept outlined in it.