Chairperson of the Constitution Review Commission
(CRC) has advised the two opposing sides in the matter of the new
constitution to bury their differences if the new mother law is to serve
as the country guide to individual and national prosperity.
CRC’s Chairperson Judge Joseph Warioba said the two camps – the Ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on one hand and the opposition parties backed by Non Governmental Organisations on the other, should find an amicable consensus to avoid national division.
“What is going on now may lead to a break of national unity….” Warioba warned and advised: “…instead of politicising the issue, all groups should sit down together to sort out their differences.”
“We don’t need a constitution which will divide the people…” he went on to say “…we need a constitution that will be accepted, respected and followed by all citizens,” he said.
Judge Warioba was speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a press conference that served as part of the final completion of view collection from special groups.
“To have a new mother law that will lead to the development of the country, all groups, especially political parties should be instructors to their followers on the attainment of an agreed National Constitution instead of propagating issues that threaten national unity...” he said underlining that political parties should act like mentors to the people on issues related to national interests not the cause of antagonism and social unrest.
As for Constitutional councils, the Chairman expressed confidence in the work done saying to a large extent the councils have achieved the collection of views from ward constitutional councils across the country.
Members of the Commission were divided into 14 groups which conducted 179 meetings that brought together 19,337 members of the constitutional councils from across the country.
Out of the 179 meetings, 166 took place in Tanzania mainland while 13 were conducted in Zanzibar.
However, Judge Warioba expressed displeasure over what he called ‘political parties’ interference’ and gave an example saying:
“The Commission is disappointed by some politicians who used most of their time to insult members of the draft constitution and to degrade the work done…they distracted their people so instead of discussing issues concerning the draft Constitution, they would attack personalities of CRC members.”
CRC is now in the processes of writing the final draft which shall contain citizens’ views and the views collected recently from members the constitutional councils. Then the draft shall be discussed by 604 members of the Constituent Assembly.
Addressing the ongoing contradictions related to the Constitutional Review (Amendment) Bill, 2013, he said the Commission has no power to make laws, on the contrary, he clarified that they work within laws approved by Parliament.
CRC’s Chairperson Judge Joseph Warioba said the two camps – the Ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on one hand and the opposition parties backed by Non Governmental Organisations on the other, should find an amicable consensus to avoid national division.
“What is going on now may lead to a break of national unity….” Warioba warned and advised: “…instead of politicising the issue, all groups should sit down together to sort out their differences.”
“We don’t need a constitution which will divide the people…” he went on to say “…we need a constitution that will be accepted, respected and followed by all citizens,” he said.
Judge Warioba was speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a press conference that served as part of the final completion of view collection from special groups.
“To have a new mother law that will lead to the development of the country, all groups, especially political parties should be instructors to their followers on the attainment of an agreed National Constitution instead of propagating issues that threaten national unity...” he said underlining that political parties should act like mentors to the people on issues related to national interests not the cause of antagonism and social unrest.
As for Constitutional councils, the Chairman expressed confidence in the work done saying to a large extent the councils have achieved the collection of views from ward constitutional councils across the country.
Members of the Commission were divided into 14 groups which conducted 179 meetings that brought together 19,337 members of the constitutional councils from across the country.
Out of the 179 meetings, 166 took place in Tanzania mainland while 13 were conducted in Zanzibar.
However, Judge Warioba expressed displeasure over what he called ‘political parties’ interference’ and gave an example saying:
“The Commission is disappointed by some politicians who used most of their time to insult members of the draft constitution and to degrade the work done…they distracted their people so instead of discussing issues concerning the draft Constitution, they would attack personalities of CRC members.”
CRC is now in the processes of writing the final draft which shall contain citizens’ views and the views collected recently from members the constitutional councils. Then the draft shall be discussed by 604 members of the Constituent Assembly.
Addressing the ongoing contradictions related to the Constitutional Review (Amendment) Bill, 2013, he said the Commission has no power to make laws, on the contrary, he clarified that they work within laws approved by Parliament.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
