Tight security at CCM meeting dampens mood

Dodoma. Tight security by the police during CCM’s extra-ordinary congress here inconvenienced many people, notably those using the road leading to the University of Dodoma (Udom).

The highway was closed as part of security protocols, forcing people to find alternative routes.

As if that was not enough, the road leading to the Dodoma Convention Centre, where the congress was held was fixed with car screening machines. 

However, there were no enough attendants to direct drivers on where they could park their vehicles after inspection.

This caused heavy traffic jams, making the delegates and invited people to spend a lot of time before reaching the conference hall.

There were also screening machines in all entrance doors and no one was allowed inside without having a badge, which was cross-checked with list of names of people who have been invited to attend the congress.

Policemen on horsebacks and cars as well as ununiformed security personnel formed the team of patrols which went around the conference facility as well as surrounding areas.

Members of the Field Force Unit (FFU) were also seen patrolling various streets within Dodoma municipality as part of measures to improve security.

The tight security details might be the result of a threat by Chadema Young Council (Bavicha) that they would send members to Dodoma to disrupt the CCM meeting.

Bavicha issued the threat recently on grounds that CCM would be breaking order by the Police which banned all political parties from holding meetings.

But Police clarified a few days ago that it only banned public rallies and demonstrations on security grounds until when the situation normnalised. 

In the clarification, the Police said no party has been banned from holding executive and internal meetings, stressing that CCM was free to conduct their national congress.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander Lazaro Mambosasa said recently  that there were signs that some unscrupulous people planned to perpetrate violence during the ruling party assembly.Dodoma. Tight security by the police during CCM’s extra-ordinary congress here inconvenienced many people, notably those using the road leading to the University of Dodoma (Udom).

The highway was closed as part of security protocols, forcing people to find alternative routes.

As if that was not enough, the road leading to the Dodoma Convention Centre, where the congress was held was fixed with car screening machines. 

However, there were no enough attendants to direct drivers on where they could park their vehicles after inspection.

This caused heavy traffic jams, making the delegates and invited people to spend a lot of time before reaching the conference hall.

There were also screening machines in all entrance doors and no one was allowed inside without having a badge, which was cross-checked with list of names of people who have been invited to attend the congress.

Policemen on horsebacks and cars as well as ununiformed security personnel formed the team of patrols which went around the conference facility as well as surrounding areas.

Members of the Field Force Unit (FFU) were also seen patrolling various streets within Dodoma municipality as part of measures to improve security.

The tight security details might be the result of a threat by Chadema Young Council (Bavicha) that they would send members to Dodoma to disrupt the CCM meeting.

Bavicha issued the threat recently on grounds that CCM would be breaking order by the Police which banned all political parties from holding meetings.

But Police clarified a few days ago that it only banned public rallies and demonstrations on security grounds until when the situation normnalised. 

In the clarification, the Police said no party has been banned from holding executive and internal meetings, stressing that CCM was free to conduct their national congress.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander Lazaro Mambosasa said recently  that there were signs that some unscrupulous people planned to perpetrate violence during the ruling party assembly.