Dar es Salaam. In a rare show of unity, major opposition parties yesterday joined forces against the Constitutional Review (Amendment) Bill 2013, which Parliament passed earlier this month.
Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi resolved to hold a joint campaign to persuade President Jakaya Kikwete not to sign the Bill into law following its endorsement by Parliament on September 6.
The chairmen of the three parties – Prof Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF), Mr Freeman Mbowe (Chadema) and Mr James Mbatia (NCCR-Mageuzi) – told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that they were against the President’s approval of the Bill before amendments are made to contentious clauses guiding the selection of Constituent Assembly members.
They said they would hold public rallies across the country from this weekend to drum up popular support for their opposition to the Bill, which gives the Union and Zanzibar presidents powers to appoint members of the Constituent Assembly.
The Opposition also wants the number of members of the assembly increased from 604 to 792 to check CCM’s domination.
They fear that the envisaged constitution would reflect the wishes of the ruling elite if CCM retains its majority in the assembly.
They also called for representation from Zanzibar to be increased to 50 per cent from the proposed 36 per cent.
Parliament passed the Bill in the absence of MPs from the three parties, who staged a walkout after failing to press for its withdrawal.
The endorsement was preceded by a stormy debate and ugly scenes, which saw some MPs scuffle with parliamentary security officials.
Opposition MPs had earlier said that stakeholders from Zanzibar were not fully involved in the collection of views on the Bill.
They also said some clauses in the final document tabled in Parliament were inserted without following proper procedures.
Reading a joint statement on behalf of his fellow party chairmen, Prof Lipumba said they would kick off their campaign on Saturday at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam.
“The people have the right to hear how CCM is bulldozing others in the constitution-making process,” he said.
Prof Lipumba said President Kikwete would be making a “grave mistake” if he signs the Bill into law because the amendment and endorsement of the document by Parliament were against the spirit of his meetings with opposition leaders at State House in 2011 and early last year before the review process began in earnest.
“The President should return the Bill to Parliament so that changes meant to build trust and national consensus in the constitutional review process are made,” he said.
However, Prof Lipumba did not say what the parties would do if President Kikwete signs the Bill into law before they officially launch their campaign on Saturday.
Mr Mbatia said it was the opposition which initially pushed for the writing of a new constitution back in 1991.
“It is because of this fact that we are not ready to see our idea of writing a new constitution being played around with,” he said.
Mr Mbatia said political parties should put their differences aside and decide on what is best for the country.
“We request President Kikwete to put the national interest first, not the interests of his party,” he said. For his part, Mr Mbowe urged Tanzanians to stand up for an inclusive process of getting a new constitution.
“Peace will be at stake if the process towards a new constitution is dominated by a single political party…we want to avoid this,” said Mr Mbowe, who is also the Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament.
He said the writing of a new constitution was a rare opportunity for the country to have a new beginning.
The opposition leaders spoke a few days after a cross-section of stakeholders appealed to President Kikwete not to assent to the Bill.
Opposition to the Bill shifted from Parliament to the public last week as key figures representing sections of society call for “presidential wisdom” in handling the matter.
The shift in language follows concerns among both legislators and the public about the process of preparing the legislation.
The move came barely a day after a forum in Dar es Salaam asked President Kikwete not to sign the new Bill into law, which gives the head of state authority to appoint 166 of the Constituent Assembly’s 604 members.
Source:The Citizen
