Lipumba flouts CCM decision over CA meetings

The Chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF) Professor Ibrahim Lipumba has flouted the recent decision by Central Committee (CC) of the ruling CCM party which legalized the Constituent Assembly (CA) to continue with its proceedings as usual in Dodoma. Prof. Lipumba made his plea on Thursday last week in an exclusive interview with the Guardian that, the ruling party has monopolized power in the decision making which is against the expectation of many people in the country. He said in a telephone interview when contacted by this paper to clarify the matter and his perception following the decision reached by CC of the ruling party on a controversial CA meeting which currently is discussing the new constitution. He said refusal by CCM to suspend the CA meeting is a denial of citizens’ democratic rights and instead the ruling party could look at the possibility on how to end up the standoff between the two warring groups. He said it was better if the controversy is solved amicably and reach a consensus, and thereby to allow the resumption of the CA meetings after general election. According to him, there are so many things to be done by the government bearing in mind the fact that, there is shorter timeframe when the nation is getting prepared for the general election citing the preparation of the permanent voter registration book which is a bigger task lying ahead. Another thing Prof. Lipumba noted is lack of independent election commission which he said has to be looked more keenly at this time when the nation has left with 12 months from now for the general election to take place. Prof. Lipumba noted that, the continued CA meeting has been squandering tax payers’ money for nothing while knowing clearly that, at the end the new constitution would not be attained but he declined to clarify how. However, he noted that, despite refusal by CCM to suspend the CA sessions amid request from the group, preparations by Ukawa members to stage a countrywide demonstration is still intact. Investigations by this paper can establish that, most of the Ukawa members thought that the CCM party would deter their stand and called off the CA meeting amid hot debates currently going on in various parts in the country calling for an immediate suspension of the CA meeting sessions to pave the way for reconciliation and resumed after general election next year. The call to let the meeting suspended has been touted by even some other CCM cadres who claims that, the process consumes tax payers’ money for nothing. 

The Chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF) Professor Ibrahim Lipumba.

Meanwhile, as the impasse between CCM party and Ukawa members seems to be growing, a book publisher has suggested the two warring groups to sign an International accord with a view to save the nation from splitting apart. Jackson Mbogo expressed his concern last week in Dodoma in an exclusive interview with this paper after he had introduced his book at a seminar organized by Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF). The book is written in Swahili language titled, “Katiba ya Tanzania ni mtoto yatima bungeni” which literally means Tanzania’s constitution process is an orphan in the Constituent Assembly (CA)  TCF had organized a three day seminar for heads of their representatives from the district level with the aim of building their knowledge capacity so as to become aware of the people’s views endorsed in the new draft of constitution by the disbanded Constitution Review Commission (CRC). He said that, the two groups have people who follow them behind with different views at this time when the nation is writing its constitution which is a focus for the future life of Tanzanians Mbogo has predicted Tanzania is likely to enter into a political turmoil at this time when the nation has proved failure to reach a consensus just for a very minor issue if mediated by external bodies would clear the existing standoff. In view of this, he suggested the intervention by international reconciliation body for the accord so as to save the nation from being plunged into a political turmoil. He cited an example of what happened in Kenya in 2007 after post general election results, saying that no one expected what could happen after the election until the United Nations intervened and elected former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan who mediated. Elaborating on his 110 paged book with the main themes that focuses the role of the CA in the constitutional draft making process, he said that is consisting mainly of a summary report collected from the old constitution which was last reviewed in 1977. Mbogo who is a former Secretary General of the Tanzania Railway Workers Union (TRAWU) noted in his book how the current draft has lost popularity in the CA due to few politicians who are trying to hijack the whole process for their own benefits leaving behind basic issues necessary for the majority of Tanzanians. He compared the current draft of constitution and narrated that it has been left alone and moreover in a destitute state just like a family whose parents are dead and left orphaned and so no one is there to uplift the status of their well being. He also noted that, since the start of the constitutional making process, he is surprised as he has never heard of a politician talking about Tanzania and his people, instead scores of them have been driving their views which defend their political parties and leaving behind crucial matters which have interests to the nation.

Dar urges PTA states to focus on investments

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said Africa needs to concentrate on energy, agriculture, infrastructure and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to transform their countries’ economies. Saying that this would translate into meaningful development and poverty eradication results, Pinda further advised Africa to reduce inflation to single digit. The PM was officiating at the opening session of the 30^th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank commonly known as PTA Bank in Dar es Salaam on Friday last week. He said such a step is in the best interest of people and national economies. The governors met to deliberate on growth and development as well as explore how best to benefit from financial and technical support the Bank gives to their respective countries. The premier urged the PTA Bank and stakeholders working in partnership with member states to give priority to loans which would enable countries to facilitate investments. “We should be able to foster economic prosperity in our countries, region and continent at large and so improve the livelihood and well being of our people” he said. The PM said he was confident about the Bank’s commitments, which would do much to meet the member states expectations to effectively handle challenges confronting the continent. According to Pinda, Africa must maintain political will to support the integration and advancement of national and regional economies. He said the continent’s economies have grown at an average rate of 5 percent per annum, an aspect that inflation is under control and the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flowing back to the continent. 

Tanzania's Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda 

The continent is getting “younger and more populous” with implications for education and health care, for supply of labour and consumer demand.  Pinda said in view of this Africa should work together more vigorously in dealing with the challenges and ensure more of its people have opportunity to participate in the growth process.  “Taking Africa’s development to the next level will require a much bigger role for the private sector as an engine of growth in creating wealth and more jobs,” he asserted. On her part, the Minister for Finance, Saada Mkuya who takes over as Chairperson of the PTA Bank from outgoing Ethiopian State Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said there is a chain of other challenges. She listed them as adverse effects of rising food and oil prices and most recently the adverse effects of the Ebola pandemic, also citing recurring civil wars and terrorist attacks; and consequently loss of human life and property. According to the PTA Chief Executive Officer and President Admassu Tadessa, Tanzania has benefited from the bank’s loans tht have been directed to development projects. The projects the ongoing construction of Terminal Three at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) that received $30 million, Tanzania Ports Authority (PTA) and Kilwa Energy Projects which received $20 million and $47 million, respectively. Member stakeholders of the PTA Bank are Tanzania, Burundi, Comoro, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and African Development Bank.

A book publisher urges CCM and Ukawa members to sign an international accord

As the impasse between CCM party and Members of the group calling itself Coalition of the Defenders of People’s Constitution (Ukawa) seems to be growing, a book publisher has suggested the two warring groups to sign an International accord with a view to save the nation from splitting apart. Jackson Mbogo expressed his concern on Wednesday last week in Dodoma  moment after he had introduced his book at a seminar organized by Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF). The book is written in Swahili language titled, “Katiba ya Tanzania ni mtoto yatima bungeni” which literally means Tanzania’s constitution process is an orphan in the Constituent Assembly (CA)  TCF had organized a three day seminar for heads of their representatives from the district level with the aim of building their knowledge capacity so as to become aware of the people’s views  endorsed in the new draft of constitution by the disbanded Constitution Review Commission (CRC).  He said that, the two groups have people who follow them behind with different views at this time when the nation is writing its constitution which is a focus for the future life of Tanzanians He said in an exclusive interview that, Tanzania is likely to enter into a political turmoil at this time when the nation has proved failure to reach a consensus just for a very minor issue if mediated by external bodies would clear the existing standoff. In view of this, he suggested the intervention by international reconciliation body for the accord so as to save the nation from being plunged into a political turmoil. He cited an example of what happened in Kenya in 2007 after post general election results, saying that no one expected what could happen after the election until the United Nations intervened and elected former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan who mediated. Elaborating on his 110 paged book with the main themes that focuses the role of the CA in the constitutional draft making process, he said that is consisting mainly of a summary report collected from the old constitution which was written in 1977 with the views of the current draft document. 

Jackson Mbogo,a publisher of the book being interviewed by the media personnel in Dodoma recently.

Mbogo who is a former Secretary General of the Tanzania Railway Workers Union (TRAWU) noted in his book how the current draft has lost popularity in the CA due to few politicians who are trying to hijack the whole process for their own benefits leaving behind basic issues necessary for the majority of Tanzanians. He compared the current draft of constitution and narrated that it has been left alone and moreover in a destitute state just like a family whose parents are dead and left orphaned and so no one is there to uplift the status of their well being. He also noted that, since the start of the constitutional making process, he is surprised as he has never heard of a politician talking about Tanzania and his people, instead scores of them have been driving their views which defend their political parties and leaving behind crucial matters which have interests to the nation. He mentioned such important things which politicians would have time to address in the new constitution are such like the natural resources endowed in the country and the basic rights of the citizens of all walks of life in the country. However, he wondered for most views by politicians will one day dump the nation in dungeon a result of which would put its citizens in great poverty stricken situation and endless problems which would be difficult to get out of it. However, he has suggested that the government should come to an international reconciliation table so as to curb the existing standoff between Ukawa and the ruling CCM party. He is on the view of the issue of a three tier government structure as opposed by CCM party should not be a source of all problems in the constitution making process, and instead politicians should mainly base on people’s views to favour national patriotism. He has however suggested to members of CA to discuss the issue of people’s rights in broader perspectives and endorse it in the new constitution. He cited an example of the constitution of the Australian government which he said has recognized people’s basing on the United Nations conventions.

CA proposes parliament body to approve huge sums of government loans

THE Constituent Assembly (CA) committee No. 8 has proposed the need of having huge sums of money being loaned by the government to be approved by the union Parliament before use and that, this system should be endorsed in the current national draft of constitution. The Committee Chairman Job Ndugai said on Friday last week when briefing journalists on various deliberations reached by his committee members after they had discussed Chapter 14 of the legal document, article No. 227 and 228 respectively. Article 227 of the constitution talks about the national debt whereas article 228 speaks about the authority which the United Republic of Tanzania has in borrowing money from external sources. Ndungai who is also the Deputy speaker of the national parliament and an MP for Kongwa constituency (CCM) elaborated over the issue and clarified reasons for parliament to approve such huge sums of money is to control the trend of the national debt which keeps on rising year after year. Another reason he attributed is to let the general public know a certain sum of money which the government shall have loaned for various development projects, unlike at the moment whereby the government channels all documentations on loaning schemes secretly. However, Ndungai did not specified how much money would be required to be approved by law makers in this case, but noted that to make things open was better to enable  every citizen know the trend of their national debt. He queried while elaborating over the matter and noted that suppose the government fails to remit the money loaned, they should know what steps to be taken thereafter. He also noted that, his committee members discussed challenges which occur whenever the government of Zanzibar wants to acquire loan from outside that, it must gets an approval from the Tanzania mainland. In this case he also noted that, the procedures should be endorsed by the union parliament. In another development Ndungai mentioned two proposals which his committee has received since the CA resumed its business on Tuesday last week. These are people’s opinions which are sent directly to the committee concerned for endorsement and not for discussion as such opinions are not within the constitutional draft.

Deputy speaker of the national parliament and an MP for Kongwa 

He said that he had received one opinion from somebody named Ramadhani Mkangila from Morogoro who requested all Gods commandments as stated in holy religious books should be endorsed in the draft constitution. He also mentioned another person by the name Yassin Alou also from Morogoro who has requested that all cemetery grounds should have rights and must be respected whatsoever, but could not specified in what ways they should be respected. The two opinions, he said would be filed to the administration committee which has the mandate to deal with such opinions aired by people at this time when the constitution writing process is going on. On the issue of Ministers to be members of parliament or not, as stated in Chapter 7 Article 101 of the draft of constitution, he said has caused a split among his members in such away that they could not reach a consensus and left the matter to be voted upon by members on 21^st this month. Meanwhile, the CA deputy chairperson of the committee No. 10, Salmin Awadth Salmin said that, his committee members experienced a challenge when they were discussing the same chapter and added that, almost half of its members could not reach to a unanimous decision over the matter. Briefing journalists, Salmin noted that, the issue of either a minister should be members of parliament or not is still in a nutshell, but he elaborated some factors his members noted that, ministers have not enough time to attend parliamentary sessions as most of them do look at the issues basing on government matters. In view of this some of his members suggested that, they should be appointed from not among the members of parliament just like other countries do such as the United States of America, adding that, some noted that if they would be selected from among the MPs, they are not in a position to speak against the government even if it is at fault. On the issue of the government structure in Chapter 6 of the constitutional draft, he disclosed that, most of his committee members did not support a federal government structure as endorsed by Constitution Review Commission (CRC). He further noted that, about 80 percent of his members supported a two tier government structure when they discussed the chapter which is now closed waiting for voting exercise scheduled in 2^nd September next month.

Sitta’s stand discourages groups which are against CA sessions

EFFORTS by some groups of people who have been pressurizing the suspension of the second phase discussion of the constitutional making process which resumed its business on Tuesday last week in the Constituent Assembly (CA) seems to have hit a snag. The CA which has entered in its tenth day has been challenged by many people including members of the ruling party CCM who since its resumption have been calling for its suspension for various reasons citing mostly the absence of the group calling itself Coalition of the Defenders of People’s Constitution (Ukawa). They have however, been calling for a fresh reconciliation talks between the ruling party CCM and Ukawa members who consists of three major opposition parties namely Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi. While some individuals have been maintaining that, the CA currently discussing the constitutional draft is deliberately wasting tax payers’ money and have suggested that, it was better for the two warring groups to return to the reconciliation table to ward off their standoff. CA Chairman Samwel Sitta on Wednesday this week put it clear and reiterated his stand once again over the ongoing discussions of the constitutional making process amid claims by some groups and noted that, the sessions will continue as usual despite protests. The call by Sitta has come hardly two days after leaders of the so-called Ukawa made a public statement of their intention to stage a countrywide demonstration next week whose mission is to request President Jakaya Kikwete to suspend the CA sessions. In his clarification Sitta noted that, “the CA has been legally established and there is no way it could change its course at the expense of the few individuals because of limited time issued for discussion by President Jakaya Kikwete”.  However, he has wondered as to why the Ukawa group walked out of the debating chamber in April this year just because of their misunderstanding of the article 60 of Chapter six which discussed about the structure of government. He clarified saying that, the Ukawa group should take into consideration the most crucial issues which are most important things to be discussed in the new constitution which basically touches lifestyle of the majority of Tanzanians in both aspects of economic and social grounds. 

CA Chairman Samwel Sitta

“There are most crucial issues which concerns with the farmers, pastoralists, fishermen, women, old people, children as well as youth employment which have been the most key issues of discussion in the new constitution other than government structures” he said. He said the Ukawa’s argument of wanting President Jakaya Kikwete to suspend the assembly is baseless bearing the fact that no one has prevented their access into the debating chamber. They are free to come and join us to deliberate matters. Despite Sitta’s stand over the continued sessions as programmed by the CA, some groups of people including politicians keeps on insisting for the assembly to indefinitely suspend its sessions on various grounds. Giving reasons, some political analysts and some CA members, including Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) cadre Mwigulu Nchemba have cautioned that the process might end up wasting taxpayers’ money if there would be no consensus with those, who walked out of the CA. Nchemba made open his views and noted that, it would be wastage of taxpayers’ money if the CA continued and then failed to make any conclusive decision at the end. The government has allocated Sh20 billion for CA activities, including allowances to CA members. Mr Nchemba was contributing during a discussion before approving 13 changes to the CA Standing Orders. Among the changes made, include forming Standing Orders that would give more powers to the CA chairman to punish those, who violated CA Standing Orders. Some interviewed residents have expressed their disappointment in an exclusive interview on Thursday last week at the designated capital city and cited fears that what would be decided by members currently in attendance would be favoring the majority members of the ruling CCM party currently in attendance.  They have however suggested that, although there is a standoff which of recent caused misunderstandings between Ukawa members and CCM party over the constitutional writing process, the two warring groups should return back to reconcile their differences. Msabaha Chilongo, a taxi driver in the capital said that as long as the CA members continues with their sitting are at the same time spending huge sums of tax payers money which at the end the draft might not be accepted by wananchi during referendum polls. He said the government should look for any possible ways in order to end the existing impasse between Ukawa which consists of three main rival parties - Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi and CUF and the ruling CCM party to clear their standoff.