Controversy as Cheyo differs with UKAWA on CA suspension

Inevitable · 2014-09-12T08:18:16+00:00

The call for President Jakaya Kikwete to suspend the ongoing Constituent Assembly (CA) recants what was agreed upon when he last met members of Tanzania Centre for Democracy who include those of Ukawa. This was said yesterday by the Chairman of the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), John Cheyo. He made the comments a day after members of the Coalition of Peoples Constitution (Ukawa) went ahead to urge President Jakaya Kikwete to suspend the ongoing CA sessions taking place here. Cheyo made the remarks when debating on the Draft Constitution. He said the statement issued by Ukawa members on Wednesday was contrary to the decision reached by the President and the TCD of which Ukawa are members. Cheyo said what he had informed the public on what transpired in their meeting with President Kikwete on August 30 and September 8 was agreed upon by all TCD members and the President. Cheyo is also the National Chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP). He said when they last met with the President on September 8 in Dodoma Ukawa members also agreed with the terms agreed upon by the two parties. Hence he was surprised that they issued contradicting statements, he said, emphasizing: What I told the media is what we all agreed upon in our meeting with the President there are even video clips which could prove that we all (including Ukawa members) agreed on what I told the media earlier. In their last meeting, the two parties (President Kikwete and TCD) agreed that the ongoing constitution review process should continue until October 4. On this date it will be postponed, only to resume after the 2015 General Elections under the newly elected Tanzanian President. Both parties also agreed on inclusion of private candidates and setting up an independent electoral committee. Further, they agreed that for a presidential candidate to win the elections he/she has to secure 50 percent of the votes (50+). They also agreed to allow intervention of the court in case of election disputes. On Wednesday, Ukawa members called upon President Kikwete to suspend the ongoing Constituent Assembly. They argued that continuing with the process which will not attain the intended end result was a wastage of tax payers money. At a press conference in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Chadema Secretary General, Dr Wilbrod Slaa, said after President Kikwete had declared the postponement of the referendum until after the 2015 general elections, he was supposed to suspend the ongoing CA. CUF National Chairman Prof Ibrahim Lipumba said the money spent by the CA was being misused and could be used in other areas. For his part, Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe said continuing with the CA proceedings was misuse of public funds. He said this was because it was obvious that the new constitution would not be attained any time soon. He added that his party would organize a march on the streets to protest the ongoing CA meetings. Meanwhile, a CA member who once served several positions in the government, Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru made comments on the situation obtaining in the country. He said for it to attain economic freedom, the new constitution should incorporate a new chapter about the aim of transforming economic and social development as well as instigating self reliance. He said the main objective of the constitution is to create a contemporary economy of an independent nation. This should be through enabling it to focus on the process of using science and technology in all its social and economic sectors, he said. The constitution should set up and ensure implementation of providing contemporary education which focuses on science, technology and mathematics from the level of primary education to tertiary education across the country, he said. He added that the new chapter of the constitution should also highlight the transformation of agriculture, livestock keeping, fishing and industries. SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Thread starter Inevitable
Start date Sep 12, 2014

Inevitable

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Controversy as Cheyo differs with UKAWA on CA suspension

Inevitable

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