Masuala matano magumu kuhusu rasimu ya Katiba

Kwa hisani ya Mtanzania

Profesa maarafu Tanzania na msomi mtajika Issa Shivji ametaja masuala matano magumu ya rasimu ya Katiba. Huku Bunge la Katiba likitarajiwa kuanza shughuli yake kesho Dodoma, Prof Shivji aliwasilisha masuala yafuatayo;

1. Malengo muhimu na Maadili na Miiko ya Uongozi ( Special Aspirations and Integrity and Principles of Leadership)

2. Shughuli za Serikali ya Muungano (Activities of the Union Government)

3. Mapato ya Serikali ya Muungano (Revenue of the Union Government)

4. Kuhusu Polisi (Concerning Police)

5. Masharti ya Mpito (Transitional Procedures)

Media role in the Constitution Process in Tanzania

The fourth estate, as the media has come to be known is very important in any civilized democracy. The media acts as an integral nexus between governance and the people and between policy and the people. The people need the media and the media needs the people. It is a unique symbiotic relationship which has existed for many years. Mature democracies world over are driven by vibrant media. The media not only informs but has been used as an advocate for change and has been used as a tool for creating awareness among people. The media has been used to question and criticize the government and shape public opinion on fundamental aspects that are pertinent to society. 

Tanzania newspapers reporting

the country at a crucial constitution making stage, the media should rise above partisan interest and report objectively on the goings on in the Constituent Assembly which start this month. Tanzania newspapers in the recent past have failed to draw the line between mainstream journalism and tabloid business (udaku). Many of them have failed to position themselves as national newspapers despite them claiming this status. Some newspapers are openly known to be party based and thus biased with regard to the party interests. What struck me is when the list of the Constituent Assembly members was released by the President. A number of newspapers were quick to praise the appointments while others trashed saying the president got the appointments wrong.

The media should rise above the whims and caprices and be a neutral arbiter in the constitution process. more than ever, a balanced and objective media will help to drive the agenda based on consultative engagements of the country's citizenry. The media should create a platform for constructive engagements through objective reporting. Inflammatory and alarming statements should be avoided and if they really need to be published let them be euphemistically framed.      

Chadema washeherekea kwa mbwembwe Arusha!

Waendesha bodaboda

Chadema washeherekea ushindi Arusha

Wafuasi wa Chadema wakicheza na kufurahia mjini Arusha baada ya ushindi wa diwani wa kata ya Sombetini.

 Mbwembwe za wafuasi wa Chadema.

 Mbunge wa Arusha mjini akiwapungia wafuasi wa Chadema walifurika licha ya mvua kubwa.

Maandamano ya waendesha pikipiki almaarufu kama bodaboda (Toyo) wakiongozana katika msafara wa ushindi karibu na hoteli ya Palace jijini
Arusha.

Katiba Watch: Understanding the Constituent Assembly

President Jakaya Kikwete will release the names of the members to the Constituent Assembly today. The sittings are expected to begin in 18 February 2014 in Dodoma.  The Constitution Review Act gives the President power to appoint 201 members of the Constituent Assembly drawn from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations and all registered political parties. Others include institutions of higher learning, groups of people with special needs, workers’ associations, associations representing farmers, associations representing pastoralists and any other group of persons having common interest. Further to these, it is also be made up of all members of the National Assembly of Tanzania (358) and all members of the House of Representatives of Zanzibar (76) bringing a total 635 members.

 

Pursuant to the Constitution Review Act, Part V on the Convening of a Constituent Assembly, Article 22(3) the President shall publish the names of the members of the Constituent Assembly in the proclamation published in the gazette. Upon the first convening of the Assembly, a chairman and vice-chairman will be elected through a secret ballot by the members. Further to the spirit of the Union, if the chairman is from Mainland Tanzania, the vice shall come from Tanzania Zanzibar. The winner is determined by a simple majority. Standing Orders shall forthwith be established and adopted before members subscribing to an oath or affirmation.

 

Article 25 (1) in part states that the Constituent Assembly shall have and exercise powers to make provisions for the new constitution of Tanzania. It has been rumored that the ruling party CCM will come with an alternative draft constitution.Article 25 (2) states succinctly that the powers of the Constituent Assembly to make provisions for the proposed Constitution shall be be exercised by a Draft Constitution tabled by the Chairman of the Commission and passed by the Constituent Assembly.

 

This indeed, is a crucial step in the constitutional process in Tanzania. Much has been said about the powers bestowed by the president to appoint the members of the assembly, but it is time to accept and move on with the process. With a proposed lifespan of 70 working days, the Assembly ought to utilize this period effectively and efficiently.

In this I support Lowassa

The election mood is heating up in Tanzania. Candidates and political parties are slowly but steadily shaping up and readying themselves for 2015 elections. The ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is doing all sorts of political readjustments like celebrating 37 years of its existence just to sell itself to the people. The main opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia

na Maendeleo (Chadema) is grappling with in-party wrangling and recently it has embarked on a meet-the-people nationwide tour dubbed as Operation Movement for Change (M4C) - Pamoja Daima. Clearly, these two political outfits are shaping up in readiness for the elections. Despite the outward people centric portrayal of these two main parties, there exists internal fault lines. Whereas Chadema is trying to 'discipline' party dissidents and the so-called 'betrayers', CCM is grappling with internal rivalries born out of the quest for the top seat for some of its members. There seems to be similarities and parallelism between these two parties at the moment. Previously, the opposition took swipe at the ruling party blaming it for the endemic, cataclysmic and virulent corruption and lack of party transparency. Tides are shifting, with Chadema being accused of similar practices. the President, speaking at the 37th anniversary of CCM in Mbeya took a hyperbolic swipe at Chadema saying "CCM remains strong, whereas the other parties (Chadema) seem not to find their feet at the moment:". Chadema is now trying to save face by carrying out nationwide tours.

CCM greatest concern has been the former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa who has silently declared his desire for the presidency come 2015. In a new year's party hosted at his home constituency, Mr. Lowassa said that he has embarked on a "dream to see a Tanzania with proper sanitation, good education and equality." This statement, though passive, was interpreted to mean he was declaring his candidacy for the top post in Tanzania. CCM luminaries have come out strong and condemned Lowassa for this saying that it is too early to declare his intention for the top job. Former Prime Minister and veteran politician John Malecela has strongly criticized Lowassa for this. Others have included, CCM Secretary Phillip Mangula and the likes of Nape Nnauye the vibrant Secretary in charge of Politics and Ideology. The party is summoning a mini-convention in either Dodoma or Dar es Salaam which will be attended by former Tanzania Presidents Benjamin Mkapa and Ali Hassan Mwinyi and former Zanzibar President Amani Karume to discuss the brewing discomfort brought about by Lowassa's possible candidacy.

I am dismayed at the level of criticism leveled on Lowassa who is imbuing his democratic right to put his name forward for possible selection for the top job. It is quite astonishing and perplexing to say the least, why his candidacy is causing jitters among members of his party. We learn from comparative politics that all politics is local. Take the rise to prominence of Barack Obama. It was during the 2004 National Democratic Convention that he gave the keynote address which made him a national star and set stage for his subsequent election in 2008 as the first Black  American President in US. Political strategists will tell you that his election campaign began that night in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sun Tzu, the renowned Chinese military general and strategist says that "The art of war is of vital importance to the State" and in this case the statesman or politician. Mr Lowassa, may have his own share of political baggage that led to his resignation as Prime Minister but his ambition to lead should not be rubbished. Drawing from Sun Tzu, the commander needs to stand for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. This is summed up in the first tactic of laying out the plans. Mr. Lowassa seems to have already laid out his plans. He is building a vibrant network of professionals, youth, veteran politicians, businessmen and the church which is his foundation. This seems not to go well with a crossection of CCM bigwigs who in my opinion feel threatened.

The year 2014, from the onset seems its going to be a crucial political year for Tanzania. With the constitution process still on and the forth coming election, it promises to be a bumper year, and one with a lot of political and economic significance. I am pleased that political parties are now avenues of political contests which in turn will be vital for nationwide pluralism as is been envisioned by the proposed new constitution. This is what we need in Tanzania anyway. Political pluralism, in-party democracy and government transparency will definitely steer economic development and growth.

Kauli ya Jussa Ladhu ya kuvunja Muungano haistahili na inapaswa kukemewa!

Mwakilishi wa Mji Mkongwe (CUF), Ismail Jussa Ladhu ametaka kuvunjwa kwa Muungano. Nimetuma maoni yafuatayo kwenye gazeti la Mwananchi.

Maoni ya mwakilishi wa CUF Jussa yanabidi ya kemewe sio tu na chama chake bali na watu wote wa Tanzania Bara na Visiwani. Maoni ya uchochezi yasiyo na msingi hayapaswi kuvumiliwa. Kiongozi yeyote ambaye anasimama mbele ya watu na kusema muungano haupaswi kuwepo ilhali takwimu za utafiti wa Tume ya Katiba inaonyesha idadi kubwa ya watu wa Tanzania wanataka muungano uwepo anapaswa kutoltiliwa maanani. Chama cha CUF kinapaswa kutoa tamko na kuhusiana na kauli ya Bw. Jussa! Watanzania wameainisha mstakabali wao kupitia rasimu ya awali ya Katiba. Sasa mjadala sio uwepo wa muungano bali mfumo na uthabiti wa muundo wa muungano. Tusikubali watu walio na maslahi binafsi ya uongozi kuturudisha nyuma.

Tahariri ya Tanzania Daima: Kuchapishwa kwa Rasimu ya Katiba Magazetini

Chini ya kichwa cha habari "Tume ya Katiba haikutenda haki" gazeti la Tanzania Daima limetoa tahariri ifuatayo. Inashangaza ni kwa nini Tume imeshindwa kuwezesha magazeti mengine yasiyo ya serikali na lile la Mwananchi kuchapisha rasimu ya pili. Inahojiwa pia ni kama rasimu hii imewafikia watu wenye ulemavu wa kuona?

RASIMU ya Pili ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania imechapishwa jana kwenye baadhi ya magazeti baada ya kuwa imepitia vigezo vya kisheria kama alivyoahidi Rais Jakaya Kikwete wakati wa kuipokea Desemba 30, mwaka jana.

Rais aliwaahidi wananchi kuwa baada ya rasimu hiyo kuchapwa kwenye gazeti la serikali kama sheria inavyoelekeza, itasambazwa kwenye vyombo vya habari ili wapate kuisoma na kuijadili kabla ya Bunge la Maalumu la Katiba kuanza mwezi ujao.

Hata hivyo tunapenda kueleza masikitiko yetu kwamba tumeshutushwa na ubaguzi wa wazi wa Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba kwa vyombo binafsi vya habari. Tunasema ni ubaguzi wa wazi na wenye nia mbaya ya kuwanyima wananchi haki yao ya kikatiba ya kuisoma rasimu na kuijadili kutokana na kusambazwa katika vyombo vichache. Rasimu hii imesambazwa kupitia magazeti matatu tu ya Habari Leo na Zanzibar Leo ambayo ni ya serikali na Mwananchi, ambalo ni la binafsi wakati yako magazeti zaidi ya 10 yanayotolewa kila siku na mengine kadhaa ya wiki ambayo kila moja lina wasomaji wake.

Kwetu huu ni ubaguzi wa makusudi wa tume ambayo kimsingi tunaamini imepewa fedha za kutosha kufanya shughuli zake ili wananchi wapate taarifa za kile kinachoendelea kuhusu mchakato mzima wa katiba yao.

Kama tume iliweza kuvitumia vyombo vyote vya habari kutoa taarifa zake na matangazo ya kuwahamasisha wananchi wapeleke maoni yao, inakuwaje leo iwanyime haki hiyo ya kupata rasimu kupitia magazeti hayo?

Hivi kwa mwananchi asiyesoma magazeti ya Habari Leo, Zanzibar Leo au Mwananchi ina maana hana haki ya kupata rasimu ili aweze kuisoma na kuijadili kwa ajili ya kuainisha kasoro kabla ya wajumbe wa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba kuketi na kupitia rasimu hiyo?

Yawezekana Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba chini ya Jaji Joseph Warioba ilighafirika katika jambo hili, hivyo basi tuna imani kuwa wanaweza kulisahihisha kwa kusambaza rasimu hiyo kupitia magazeti yote ili kuwapa wananchi haki kama alivyoahidi Rais Kikwete. Tunachelea kuamini kama kigezo cha tume kutochapisha rasimu hiyo katika magazeti yote ni uhaba wa fedha, kwani tunatambua kwamba Bunge liliidhinisha mabilioni ya kutosha kwa chombo hicho ili kukiwezesha kufanya kazi zake kwa ufasaha. 

Kodi zinazotumika kutengeneza katiba zimetokana na wananchi wote, hivyo hakuna sababu yoyote ya kuwabagua katika kuwafikishia taarifa kuhusu maoni na mapendekezo yao waliyoyatoa kwa tume. Rasimu inapaswa kufikishwa kila mahala, mijini na vijijini, yako maeneo magazeti hayafiki, hivyo ni vema zikasambazwa nakala za kutosha ili wananchi waisome na kujadiliana badala ya kutaka kuwazima kwa kuwapangia vyombo vya habari vya kupata taarifa.