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We stand by muafaka - CCM
2008-05-17 09:35:37
By Lusekelo Philemon
The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi has said it has no intention to disrupt the muafaka talks that aim at bringing about a long lasting solution to the political squabbles in the Isles.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Dar es Salaam, CCM Acting Publicity Secretary, Richard Tambwe, said the interest of the party was to come up with a sustainable solution to the political crisis in Zanzibar.
``CCM is very much interested in all efforts that will help to bring about long lasting peace in Zanzibar. It is not true that CCM is reluctant to end the political impasse in Zanzibar,`` said Tambwe when responding to questions.
He said collective efforts between CCM and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) would speed up the process of ending political squabbles in the Islands.
Tambwe urged CUF to change its mind and go back to the negotiation table so as to finalize the remaining agenda.
``Until now, it is only one agenda that is hanging,`` he said, adding that what was currently on the drawing board was how and when to implement what had been agreed upon.
``CCM is well prepared to effectively participate in the muafaka talks due to the fact that the move is meant to bring about fruitful results towards the country’s prosperity,`` he said.
According to Tambwe, the recent CCM recommendations through its organ—the National Executive Council—were not meant to distort the agreed points but rather to polish up the muafaka for the benefit of all Zanzibaris.
``It should be clearly understood that, the agreement of coming up with a coalition government in Zanzibar is a very sensitive issue that needs the people`s involvement through a referendum,`` he said.
He said the whole idea was meant to take into account the people’s views on the process of changing the government system in Zanzibar.
Tambwe said it was a waste of time for CCM and CUF to continue exchanging bitter words on the issue.
He said: ``It is high time for the two parties spelt out how they can help end the historical political squabbles in Zanzibar. Let us sit together and end unnecessary differences.``
When asked about his party`s stance on CUF`s demand to have a meeting with President Jakaya Kikwete, Tambwe said the agreement reached by NEC was final.
He said President Kikwete would not go contrary to what was agreed upon by the party`s NEC.
``There is no need to waste time on this. What I can say is that CUF should come down and go back to the talks and finalize our business for the benefit of our people,`` he said.
Talking to French Minister of State for Co-operation and Francophone Allain Joyandet on Thursday, this week, President Kikwete was quoted as urging CCM and CUF to go back to the negotiation table.
Yesterday, CUF’s co-secretary of the CCM- CUF negotiation team Ismail Jussa insisted that his party would not return to the muafaka talks.
He called on President Jakaya Kikwete to bring to the negotiation table Zanzibar President Amani Karume and CUF Secretary General Seif Shariff Hamad so as to end the political impasse in the Isles.
The CUF official said that if the situation remained unattended, the party would seek United Nations intervention.
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