Registrar scoffs at ‘Defiance Day’

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe

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The Registrar of Political Parties yesterday denounced Chadema’s plan to hold public rallies throughout the country from September 1, saying the move was contrary to the Political Parties Act.

Dar es Salaam. The Registrar of Political Parties yesterday denounced Chadema’s plan to hold public rallies throughout the country from September 1, saying the move was contrary to the Political Parties Act.

Meanwhile, some analysts and activists urged the government and the Opposition to engage in dialogue to avert chaos.

Justice Francis Mutungi said in a statement that Chadema’s decision contravened Section 9 (2) (C) of the Political Parties Act.

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe urged opposition supporters, activists and Tanzanians in general  take part in peaceful processions and rallies, but Justice Mutungi said the call amounted to incitement.

“This is not the first time Chadema has used inflammatory language against the government. I would like to remind them that Section 9 (2) (c) of the Political Parties Act, 1992 prohibits leaders and members of political parties from using abusive and inflammatory language that could lead to disruption of peace in the country,” he said.

At the same time, political analysts and activists, including Dr George Shumbusho of Mzumbe University; Legal and Human Rights Centre Executive Director Hellen Kijo-Bisimba and Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition national coordinator Onesmo Olengurumwa, appealed to the government and the Opposition  to settle their differences through dialogue.

Dr Shumbusho urged Chadema to seek audience with President John Magufuli to discuss political tension in the country.

He said it was wrong for the main opposition party to organise nationwide demonstrations and rallies before exhausting all avenues of peacefully resolving their differences with the government.

Dr Shumbusho also asked Dr Magufuli to soften his hardline stance against the Opposition.

“The President is supposed to serve all Tanzanians equally. He is not the President of CCM members only. I hope he will see reason and agree to meet Chadema to discuss the political situation in the country.”

Mr Olengurumwa, echoed Dr Shumbusho’s views, saying police should not play the role of judge, jury and executioner, adding that it was time political rivals resolved their differences through dialogue.

The human rights activist said there could be no peace and security without justice, adding that people should not be compelled to  resort to “alternative” means to reclaim their rights.

“When the Opposition is denied the right to organise rallies, then it can be concluded that a basic right has been taken away from the people.  This is not very healthy.

“If police successfully maintained peace during the recent CCM meetings in Dodoma, I don’t see whey they should not do the same for meetings organised by the Opposition,” Mr Olengurumwa said.

For her part, Dr Kijo-Bisimba said the government and political parties should hold talks with a view to having the ban on political rallies lifted, adding that Tanzania was not in a state of emergency.

“The government and the Opposition must do all in their power to ensure that peace and security continue to prevail in the country,” she said.

Dr Kijo-Bisimba urged Chadema to fight for its political rights through the country’s justice system, adding that political parties should not be subjected to different sets of rules.

Prof Gaudence Mpangala of Ruaha University College told The Citizen that it was possible that the government did not harbour any malice when it banned political rallies, but added that its approach was wrong.

“Before announcing the ban, the government was supposed to bring together key stakeholders and explain to them why it intended to outlaw political rallies.  This didn’t happen and the result is that the decision is being widely viewed as a deliberate measure to undermine the Opposition,” he said.

Prof Mpangala urged police to lift the ban because it was unconstitutional.

“There is no reason to take the country along this path. Police should ensure that peace and security prevail in the country and political parties’ constitutional rights should be respected.”