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`Only CDF to release updates on Comoros`
2008-03-26 09:17:05
By Correspondent Michael Haonga
The Government has said from now on all information on developments concerning the African Union-backed military mission in the Comoros will be controlled from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces central command in Dar es Salaam.
Defence and National Service minister Hussein Mwinyi told The Guardian in an exclusive interview in the city yesterday that Chief of Defence Forces Davis Mwamunyange would be giving updates on the mission as and when necessary.
Dr Mwinyi made the announcement following the publication of conflicting reports on the progress made by AU-supported coalition forces under Tanzanian army commanders on the renegade Anjouan Island in the Comoros archipelago.
The forces have been out to topple self-declared Anjouan leader Col Mohamed Bacar. They invaded the island at dawn yesterday, with reports saying Bacar was at large.
``It has become necessary for such information to be given by the Chief of Defence Forces himself,`` said the minister, without going into details.
Prof Philemon Sarungi, a former Defence and National Service minister, said in a separate interview that the decision to ``centralise the release of this delicate information`` was both logical and necessary.
He said the move would guard against having the information ``mistreated and distortion``.
``I commend the minister for acting promptly to ensure that information on the military action in the Comoros is delivered through the appropriate (military) channels.
It is only proper for the CDF to be the official spokesperson on the matter,`` he added.
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