Dodoma. There will be no new constitution until after the 2015 General Election. We have it on the authority of the chairman of the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), Mr John Cheyo. Speaking after a meeting with President Jakaya Kikwete at Kilimani State Lodge on Monday afternoon, Mr Cheyo said those present agreed unanimously that the exercise be called off on the grounds that it was unlikely to deliver on the promise.
In the circumstances, the prime issue that will prey on President Jakaya Kikwete’s mind is probably his legacy--a hallmark he would be remembered for. It would appear to be a case of too little too late for him, though.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Mr Cheyo was categorical that the decision to halt the crafting of a new constitution was reached upon realising that the time left to the 2015 General Election was not enough to accomplish such a big task.
TCD officials met the Head of State for the second time in an attempt to craft a final and lasting solution to the stalemate in the constitution-making process that began in April after members of the Coalition of Defenders of People’s Constitution (Ukawa) stormed out of the Constituent Assembly (CA) chamber. They were protesting the overturning of people’s views as represented in the second draft constitution. The draft was presented in the Assembly by the now-dissolved Constitution Review Commission chairman, Judge Joseph Warioba, in February.
An earlier meeting, at the same venue, held on August 31 came up with a sub-commitee led by NCCR Mageuzi Chairman James Mbatia. Its mandate was to chart a tentative roadmap and it presented its report to Mr Kikwete and Mr Cheyo on Monday. Mr Cheyo--who was flanked by Tanzania Labour Party Chairman Augustine Mrema, CCM’s Philip Mangula, and UPDP Chairman Fahmi Dovutwa--said the parties agreed that the CA continue until October 4, when its life comes to an end as per Government Notice 254 that President Kikwete issued on August 1 to extend the assembly’s time. “We found it appropriate to fulfil the requirement of the law since the Head of State has no powers to suspend the Assembly,” he explained.
But Chadema Secretary General Willibrod Slaa told The Citizen he did not understand why Mr Cheyo chose October 4 as the day the parties agreed to take a break. Mr Slaa added: “We prepared a statement on the deal that we sealed with Mr Kikwete, but the copy I have does not state anywhere that we agreed that the CA continue until that date…what we said is that a clear and sober means be put in place to ensure that it is suspended immediately to save tax payers’ money.”
TCD is an umbrella group that brings together all political parties that have representatives in the National Assembly. It includes CCM, NCCR Mageuzi, Civic United Front, Chadema, TLP and UDP. Political parties that have no members in parliament are represented by UPDP, which is led by Mr Fahmi Dovutwa.
The decision to suspend the constitution-making process raises questions as to why the CA members should continue with their sittings when it is clear that the new constitution can only come in 2015.
At the Monday meeting, the parties sealed a deal to make partial amendments to the current constitution to ensure that the next General Election is free and fair.
The proposed amendments include allowing independent candidates and ensuring that there is an independent National Electoral Commission.
Other agreements include challenging presidential election results in court and ensuring that the constitution states clearly that the winner of the presidential election must garner a minimum of 50 percent plus one votes. It was also agreed that should political parties want more amendments, they will submit their proposals to TCD, which will channel them to the right authorities.
The National Assembly is expected to debate and adopt the amendments in the next session that is scheduled for October, according to Mr Cheyo. “If time does not allow it,” he added, “we will make sure that the session that meets in February incorporates the proposed amendments in the current constitution.
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN