But according to CEO Roundtable Tanzania chairman Ali Mufuruki, the speech was impressive on a detailed account of the country’s political history and in particular the evolution of union constitution. However, at the same time, it was confusing and contradictory.
Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete has been criticised for taking the ruling party’s standpoint on the draft constitution during his speech on inaugurating the Constituent Assembly (CA) on Friday.
However, some people have praised him.
The constitution-making debate has been largely built on the question of the number of governments. The draft constitution drawn by Judge Joseph Warioba-chaired Constitutional Review Commission proposed three governments — of Tanganyika, Zanzibar and Union. But CCM calls for the status quo — of Zanzibar and Union governments.
Mr. President told the CA the three-tier government system would trigger nationalistic feelings between member states and endanger the union.
His critics say his speech was biased. However, President Kikwete urged CA members to make an independent and informed decision on the union structure and other contentious issues.
Observers believe his opinions will shape crucial debates and undermine the idea of an independent CA.
The executive director of Agenda Participation, Mr. Moses Kulaba, believes the President succeeded in terrifying advocates of the three-tier government system.
“It was a well thought out political speech; the new constitution was written as of Friday. What is now remaining is basically an endorsement,” he said.
Mr. Erick Mwakibete, a city political analyst, said one had to give credit to CCM strategists.
“That speech was another reminder of just how Kikwete could have been a great president but for the endless squabbles in his party which made him indecisive in so many issues,” he said.
“In short, Kikwete’s speech is full of unsubstantiated assumptions. It deserves a critical analysis,” said Mr. Mwassa Jingi, an advocate, and activist.
A source close to Zanzibar political bigwigs who asked not to be named told The Citizen on Sunday that the speech was divisive and alarmist. After that speech, I am convinced more than ever that we need a statesman.
“He divided Zanzibar from what he clearly sees as his constituency in Tanzania Mainland. He spent a large part of the speech bashing and taking pleasure in embarrassing his colleagues from Zanzibar. A president of the United Republic of Tanzania should be a unifier and not a divider,” she said.
But according to CEO Roundtable Tanzania chairman Ali Mufuruki, the speech was impressive on a detailed account of the country’s political history and in particular the evolution of union constitution. However, at the same time, it was confusing and contradictory.
He said:“At one point he even suggested that the CA had the powers to delete any part of the draft it did not like which I doubt is consistent with the law and is tantamount to replacing the views of the people of Tanzania with the views of the 600-odd members in the CA.
The executive director of Legal and Human Rights Centre, Dr. Hellen Kijo-Bisimba, said the President was trying to be objective in vain. “He provided his stand on the type of union governance. He also tried to please members of parliament with term limit issues, saying he doesn’t believe it should be imposed on them. He also confused issues of the rights of children to be non-justifiable.”
By Athuman Mtulya ,The Citizen