JK to parties: Work together for an inclusive document
President Kikwete (C) accompanied by other high
ranking political leaders after the president opened a crucial
conference on council of political parties at JNCC yesterday.
However, according to the law, the date is supposed to be announced in the government gazette 21 days after the constitution draft is gazetted. The draft was gazette on January 29, this year.
The president also announced that the names of constituent assembly members will be made public soon.
He made the remarks at the opening of political parties council meeting held in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
“Let us do away with the misguided notion that because we are from opposing parties then we must disagree with views from the other side…let’s work together and support views that we find useful,” the president admonished.
President Kikwete maintained that the success of the Constituent Assembly depends on the political party leaders, their actions and attitude.
“I believe that, should political leaders cooperate in good faith, we will get a document that is comprehensive, one that embodies our common beliefs but also recognises but also protects minority rights, a document that is for all Tanzanians,” the president said.
He reminded political leaders of that their core responsibility is ensuring that the interests of Tanzanians are prioritised and among these, said the president, are peace and unity which can best be secured through a well rounded legal document.
“The new constitution is for all people, for public interest, not for any one party’s interest,” the president said.
Acknowledging their areas of keener interest in the new document, President Kikwete cautioned the Constituent Assembly to be wary of bias and to instead work diligently and cover the entire document comprehensively.
Meanwhile, a cross section of political leaders has applauded President Kikwete’s speech. Seconding the president, NCCR-Mageuzi Chairpeson James Mbatia said Tanzania has many political parties but the new constitution must be based on common consensus, tolerance and consideration.
“We must acknowledge that we do have the problem of intolerance to views other than our own…but it is best that we cooperate and put our differences aside for the greater good,” he said.
Chadema Secretary General Wilbroad Slaa challenged the president’s speech as not being inclusive, that he did not, ‘talk about the people’s views.”
On behalf of council members, Political Parties Registrar Francis Mutungi, who is also the Political Party Council Secretary General, said the council will observe the president’s advice.
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