State House calms anxiety over Ukuta

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli will respond to religious leaders’ letter to meet him to discuss a political impasse with the Opposition if proper channels were followed, State House communications director Gerson Msigwa said Friday. “Provided they followed  proper channels in presenting the letter to the President, there is no need for them to worry. They should be patient as the President will definitely respond,” Mr Msigwa told The Citizen.

He said since the issue is betwee religious leaders and the President, the media, should not be concerned.

He was reacting to a statement by religious leaders’ disclosure in a news conference here on Friday that they had sent their request to meet President Magufuli six days ago.

On the same Friday Dar es Salaam regional Sheikh Alhad Mussa Salum, who chairs the clerics committee planning to meet the Head of State, urged the public to dismiss claims that President Magufuli has turned down their request.

“We believe President Magufuli respects religious leaders,” he said. “It’s only six days since my committee presented the letter to the President. The public should therefore be patient as the President is planning to respond to the missive.”

Chadema deputy secretary general (Zanzibar) Salum Mwalimu asked leaders to be patient during a news conference with journalists at the party headquarters.

The religious leaders are seeking audience with the President in their mission to defuse a plan by opposition Chadema to hold nationwide demonstrations. 

According to the government  political meetings should wait until 2020 when the country will hold another General Election.

But two days ago the Police Force relaxed the ban allowing parties to conduct internal meetings.

However, Chadema is not impressed, terming the move “political”.