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Mkapa for national unity govt in Z’bar
2005-08-17 08:43:42
By Ludger Kasumuni, Dodoma
President Benjamin Mkapa said yesterday that, there was a need for political parties to explore further the possibility of forming a government of national unity in Zanzibar as proposed in the 2002 muafaka (accord).
The President made the proposal when he addressed delegates at the end of Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) National Executive Committee meeting in Dodoma to vet parliamentary aspirants.
He told the delegates that CCM and the Civic United Front (CUF) would review the muafaka on Friday ahead of the official start of election campaigns on August 21.
In his speech, copies of which were circulated to reporters by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Omar Ramadhan Mapuri, the President directed CCM and its government to ensure that this year’s elections do not result in political violence.
He said Tanzania would stand another political crisis like the one that precipitated the muafaka.
’’In order to pre-empt a repeat of the political chaos during and after the elections, we will ensure that elections are held in a peaceful, free and fair atmosphere,’’said Mkapa.
He said under the muafaka, the country would steer clear of a repeat of the violence that rocked the Isles in 2001.
He said that the muafaka had consolidated national cohesion and unity and ensured that no political chaos would recur.
He also warned against emerging hooliganism being financed by political parties to cause chaos during the elections.
He said CCM would not be baited into ’’dirty politics’’ by the opposition.
He commended CCM and other political parties, namely, CUF, Chadema, TLP, UDP and NCCR-Mageuzi for signing the election code of conduct.
After the meeting, Mapuri told reporters that the NEC meeting had endorsed CCM’s 2005 election manifesto, whose gist is economic empowerment of wananchi.
He also said the health condition of veteran politician and former Prime Minister Rashid Kawawa had stabilised. Kawawa was rushed to Dodoma Regional Hospital on Monday after collapsing during one of the NEC’s sessions.
NEC also endorsed all the names of women nominated by the general council of CCM’s women wing (UWT) for Special Seats.
The names include those of journalists Amina Chifupa and Lucy Mayenga.
The list also includes the President of Trade Unions Congress of Tanzania, Margreth Sitta and the director-general of St Mary’s International Schools, Rev (Dr) Getrude Pangalile Rwakatare.
According to the National Electoral Commission, the next parliament will be made up of 75 women MPs on Special Seats. They would be allocated in accordance with each party’s strength in the House.
The other women are: long-serving legislator Sophia Simba, the Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Shamin Parkar Khan and CCM’s Secretary General for Dodoma Urban-District, Grace Benjamin Kissie.
From Mainland are also Elizabeth Machangu, Domina Ngwada, Asha Shaban Kipangula, Amina Butoye Kanyogoto and Mariam Abuu Mallya.
Fakharia Hamis Shomari, Khadija Saleh Ngozi, Dogo Iddi Mbarouk, Kijakazi Ali Khamis and Harusi Said Seleman are Zanzibar’s nominees.
Zainab Khamis Shomari and Catherine Peter Nao were nominated to the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
Nominee in the disabled category is Margareth Mkanga from the Mainland, while Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga won the NGO’s category.
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