MISSING THE POINT : All men are equal. But some are more equal than others

President John Magufuli’s recent tour of four regions has exposed the double standards that characterise the ban on political rallies.

In the context of the ban, there may be an ‘excuse’ for the President, who as the national leader, can justify his presence in any part of the country for political activity, but the same cannot be said about CCM politicians given the platform to politick in areas outside their constituencies. Or is it, as many have feared, a ban that applies to only to the Opposition?

It was an interesting development since the controversial ban. There has always been an outcry from various quarters that the directive was aimed at politicians from the back bench. Since the police announced the ban, opinion has been strongly divided on party lines, mostly. On one hand, the Opposition, backed by some rights activists, is of the opinion that it is being unfairly treated. On the other hand, the ruling party and a cross section of its sympathisers justify the ban as necessary to forge unity and allow the 2015 General Election dust to settle.

Amid a bitter exchange of words, several attempts by the Opposition to stage demonstrations have been responded to with force by the law enforcement agents who have made arrests across the country. Senior members of the Opposition have also been arrested, questioned and freed as the political drama unfolded.

It has been a trying moment for Tanzania, especially now that the Opposition has said it would stage countrywide demonstrations against the ban. They call it ‘Defiance Day’ -- September 1.

However, while Opposition politicians have been barred from politickin, CCM cadres were seen addressing public rallies outside their constituencies during the President’s recent tour of Singida, Tabora, Shinyanga, Geita and Mwanza regions.

Does this not justify and authenticate claims that the ban is meant to stop the Opposition from drumming up its support?

It started in Singida Region where President Magufuli gave lawmakers, who double as ministers, an opportunity for address public rallies. He did the same thing when he was in Tabora, Shinyanga, Geita and Mwanza, where he even invited Mr John Shibuda to address a rally at Furahisha grounds.

Mr Shibuda is the Tanzania Democratic Alliance leader, who is neither a lawmaker nor a CCM cadre. But he had the leeway to tirade on political issues. Quickly reminds one of the saying that “a charcoal owner can use the product as he pleases, without taking instructions from anyone”.

The Presidency is the highest office of the land, and the President has the final decision. Dr Magufuli has the final say on this.

However, it is also important for the charcoal owner to consider the rule of law when deciding on how to use the product.

In our case, there is the Constitution. There is also good governance and democratic tenets, which require him to protect the rights of all Tanzanians, including non-CCM cadres.

The charcoal owner can still use the product as he pleases, provided he abides by the 1992 Multiparty Act Number 5, which gives political parties the freedom to engage in political activities, including public rallies and demonstrations.

And since he swore to protect the Constitution, he should adhere to clauses 18 and 20 of the supreme law, which protect the freedom of opinion, expression and association.

The charcoal owner’s freedom to use the product the way he prefers does not give him the right to trample on the Constitution and rights of non-CCM cadres.

It’s inconceivable that the Fifth Phase Government is, honestly, hoping to have a free ride all the way to the 2020 General Election.

Mr Saramba is The Citizen Bureau Chief in the Lake Zone