JK: Let Katiba team work

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Saturday, 14 April 2012 09:04

digg President Jakaya Kikwete in a group photo with government officials and members of the Constitution Review Commission after the swearing in ceremony at the State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | said powa By Mkinga Mkinga The Citizen Reporter Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday swore in members of the Constitution Review Commission and immediately sent out a warning against any attempts to scuttle its mission – to deliver a people-centered document. Taking an early combative stance on the task ahead of the Commission, the President affirmed that no effort would be spared in dealing with anyone who would attempt to derail the team’s mandate. And the Head of State also drew the line on the impeding debate on the sovereignty of the United Republic, telling the team not to entertain those whose intention would be to break up the Union between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.  “You should know that this Commission is for the Constitution Review Process and it won’t be asking for views whether or not to split the Union … we cannot break up the Union, but we welcome views on how it can be strengthened,” Mr Kikwete said shortly after presiding over the swearing in of the 34-member commission. President Kikwete’s statement appeared like a cleverly couched message targeting a section of the citizenry that was keen to see the Commission entertain discussions on the status of the Union. The push is particularly clear in Zanzibar where early in the week, some people carrying huge banners agitating that people should be allowed to give views on the future of the Union demonstrated outside the House of Representatives. Opposition party Civic United Front (CUF) has also been vocal on the matter, but yesterday President Kikwete, while referring to Mr Hamad who is the party’s secretary general, said even though they have representatives in the Commission, they would work for national interests as opposed to their political preferences. The function at the State House in Dar es Salaam was attended by the Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohammed Shein, Vice President Dr Mohammed Ghalib Bilal, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and the Zanzibar First Vice President Seif Sharif Hamad and Second Vice President Seif Ali Idd. Retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi also witnessed the occasion. Other senior State officials present included chief justices from the two sides of the Union Mohammed Othman Chande (Mainland) and Omar Makhungu, several Cabinet ministers and representatives of public agencies.   The Commission will begin its duties on May 1 and already some Sh40 billion has been set aside to kick-start the assignment. During his nearly one-hour address, President Kikwete said the team should count on his personal and the government’s support. Independent political analysts have said the President’s stake in the review process was high for its success would be stamped into his legacy as he winds up his second and last term at the helm in 2015.  Yesterday, he gave each of the Commission members a copy of the Constitutional Review Act and the current Constitution as working tools. The first to be sworn in was the chairman, Mr Justice Joseph Warioba, followed by his deputy,  Mr Justice Agustino Ramadhani. President Kikwete said he expects a vibrant debate from the general public, but also reiterated that roadblocks would not be entertained. He outlined key areas as the Union, pillars of State and how they should relate for good governance and the issue of independent candidates. He said, for example, that it would be appropriate to discuss how judges should be appointed. Under the current constitution, judges are appointed by the President. He said since the Constitution is for the people, the effectiveness of rights safeguarding it should be determined by the people themselves. On representation, he added that the public should discuss the pros and cons of the current system and some proposals like proportionate representation and affirmative action.  “There have been claims that some ministers have been using their influence to develop their constituencies…. now this is the right time for wananchi to decide on their fate,” the President said. He said his government would empower the Commission by providing every assistance in terms of human resources, working tools and money. He added that security for the Commission members and their meetings would be assured. For his part, Dr Shein said Tanzanians should not cast aspersion on the Commission, but also challenged its members to show unity by working as a team.  “I can tell you that we all have goodwill in this particular issue…we are very dynamic and we are leading in accordance with people’s wishes, the same thing happened in Zanzibar in 2010 where we amended our Constitution,” Dr Shein said. Speaking to reporters, Justice Warioba said his Commission was for all Tanzanians and would stand for the interests of the country. Though he admitted that the task ahead would be very challenging, he pledged that he would work tirelessly and deliver. “My commission will go countrywide seeking views from the general public and what they suggest will be incorporated in the Draft Constitution….the Constitution should come from within wananchi as President Kikwete has directed,” Justice Warioba said. Justice Warioba, who once served as a Prime Minister, said that at the end of the day, his Commission would come up with a Constitution that reflects wananchi from the grassroots.