- Can the new opposition alliance of three parties CUF , CHADEMA and NCCR MAGEUZI Will last united until 2015 election as one block to challenge the dominance of ruling party CCM .
UKOMBOZI WA TANGANYIKA NA ZANZIBAR UMEANZA RASMI CCM IMEKWAA KISIKI!
Opposition political parties have said they will not seek audience with President Jakaya Kikwete in working out the new Constitution but would instead liaise with the people in their campaign against the 2013 Constitution Review Bill amendments.
Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Civic United Front (CUF) and National Convention for Construction and Reforms - Mageuzi (NCCR-Mageuzi) said there was a need for more civic education to members of the public to enable them get the constitution they need.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar after the three parties held talks with Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) Chairman Deus Kibamba, CUF national chairman Prof Ibrahim Lipumba said they do not plan to meet the head of state on this matter.
“We will not meet the President. It’s simple,” he said highlighting that already Minister of State in the President’s Office Public Relations and Co-ordination, Stephen Wasira has declared that there was no room for the opposition parties to meet the President on the constitutional review.
The alliance which appears to be transient has already shown concerns on the 2013 Constitution Review (Amendment) Bill that awaits President Kikwete’s assent after it was passed by the National Assembly recently.
The bill was only passed by the ruling CCM Members of Parliament after the opposition lawmakers voted with their feet out of the debating chamber recently.
Besides, Lipumba, the meeting was also attended by Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe, national chairman of NCCR-Mageuzi James Mbatia.
Prof Lipumba said the alliance decided to hold the meeting with TCF to see how they can take the matter to higher grounds. He said this is after the alliance has established that TFC has been seriously working on the process of getting the new Constitution with people’s interests in heart.
According to Prof Lipumba, the Constitution is not for Chadema, CUF or NCCR-Mageuzi but for the nation and “by the nation.” He added: “We are strongly opposed to the move of hijacking the Constitution by the ruling CCM.”
To ensure that they have incorporated many social groups and have a big say, he said, the alliance will hold talks with the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) to seek opinion of the imams and believers.
For his part, TCF chairman Deus Kibamba, said the constitution making process in Tanzania is at cross roads.
Kibamba noted that TFC will support concerns shown by the opposition parties’ alliance on the constitutional review particularly in educating the public. He said civic education will help the masses to understand the context and roles they have to play in writing the Constitution.
The government has already said it will not bow down to pressure and demands from the opposition parties and CSOs which want the Constitution Review (Amendment) Bill, 2013 be reversed.Constitution and Legal Affairs minister Mathias Chikawe, told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Sunday that there was still a room for negotiation on the burning issues in the bill.
Contacted on telephony for comment Constitution and Legal Affairs deputy minister Angellah Kairuki said she was not ready to say anything on the phone.“I don’t want to be quoted. Put your questions in writing and channel them to the ministry Permanent Secretary,” she said shortly and hung up the phone.
For his part, CCM Publicity and Ideology Secretary Nape Nnauye refuting claims by the oppositions said all procedures were clearly followed in passing the Constitution Review (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
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