| Now police say NO to Katiba-related demos | Send to a friend |
| Wednesday, 23 November 2011 22:10 |
 By The Citizen ReportersDar/Dodoma. Police in Dar es Salaam yesterday banned the planned demonstrations by activists scheduled for Saturday to press President Jakaya Kikwete not to sign into law a Constitutional Review Act Bill passed by Parliament last week. A statement issued by the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Said Mwema yesterday, said the law enforcement organ has banned the demonstration because there were indications that if allowed, peace and security would be endangered. The statement pointed out that many other groups have expressed their intentions to stage demonstrations against the anti-Bill lobby. The activists, under the Constitution Forum banner, wanted the Bill not to be tabled for the second reading when Parliament convened in Dodoma two weeks ago. They wanted it to get a first reading, which would give wananchi more opportunity to air their views on it. But their plea was dismissed and the Bill was passed and it now awaits President Kikwete’s assent to become a law which will guide the process of collecting opinions from Tanzanians on what should be included in the new Constitution. Apart from the Jukwaa la katiba (Constitution Forum), the Police Force named TAYC Youth Camp as yet another organ which wanted to demonstrate against the Bill. On the other hand, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi youth wing, UVCCM, wanted to conduct countrywide demonstrations to counter “negative” statements issued by opposition parties and activists on the Bill. The CCM women’s wing, UWT, also wanted to demonstrate in support of President Jakaya Kikwete’s speech that he delivered before elders in Dar es Salaam last Friday. “Given this volatile situation, whereby everybody wants to air their views through demonstrations, the Police Force has sensed the possibility of confrontations arising. For that reason, the Force has banned all demos and do hereby advise all the institutions to find alternative means of voicing their concerns,” said the statement, adding: “It is not the intention of the Police to curtail people’s rights to demonstrate. But whenever there is a big gathering, everything should be done to ensure public safety.” Kikwete meeting with Chadema In another development, CCM has commended President Kikwete for accepting to meet Chadema top leaders to discuss the controversial Bill but urged him to widen the discussions and involve leaders from other political parties as well. The CCM Central Committee (CCM) which concluded its two days meeting on Tuesday night, said the discussions would be fruitful if more people are involved. The CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, said the involvement of other political parties would help the government to get more ideas and contributions from different sides for better preparations and writing of the key document. Chadema wants to meet President Kikwete in order to tell him why the party feels that the Constitution Review Act Bill, which needs his signature to become a law, is bad. Mr Nnauye said CCM has been pleased with Chadema’s move and the President’s response and that it was obvious a lasting solution would be obtained through talks. Meanwhile, the CCM party chairman, Mr Kikwete, officially opened the National Executive Committee meeting yesterday, amid rumours that it would make tough decisions. In his opening remarks, Mr Kikwete told NEC members that he was informed about members’ worries on various issues but asked them to remain calm as everything was under control. “CCM is a big and strong party, so you don’t have to panic; I assure you that everything is going to be alright,” said Mr Kikwete. Kikwete move hailed Meanwhile, President Kikwete’s willingness to meet Chadema officials over the Constitution Review Act, has been lauded by some academicians, though they said it came a bit too late. A renowned lawyer and lecturer, Dr Ringo Tenga, told The Citizen yesterday that the doors for the dialogue should not be closed since the matter in discussion is for people’s interest. “Chadema’s plan to meet the head of state is a milestone and an important step… all issues pertaining to the Constitution should be discussed because at the end of the day, the Constitution will be for all Tanzanians,” Dr Tenga said. In his comments, a leading academic and legal guru, Prof Issa Shivji, said both sides of the debate should understand that the issue which will be discussed won’t be about CCM and Chadema. “What they will discuss should be made public the soonest,” he insisted. Mr Daudi Ismail, a member of CCM youth wing governing council, said it was good that Mr Kikwete has principally agreed to meet Chadema officials though he noted that two issues should be observed during the dialogue. “It’s my hope that Chadema will use the dialogue wisely for the sake of national interests and not for gaining political mileage… what will come out of their discussion should be for the good of the nation as a whole,” Mr Ismail said. But Mr Faraja Kristomus, a lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, University of Dar es Salaam, urged Chadema to be cautious and avoid politicising the issue. Reported by Mkinga Mkinga in Dar and Florence Mugarula in Dodoma Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
| Last Updated on Friday, 25 November 2011 00:36 |
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