OBLIQUE ANGLE : Justice is the key to peace, stability

A quarter a century ago, the wind of change swept across much of Africa. The one-party system had proved to be too tired to continue sustaining political activities in the continent. Of course, some donors and development partners also had a hand in it. They pushed for political pluralism.

A few brave souls sacrificed much of their comforts to fight for the re-introduction of multiparty democracy in our country. One can’t miss such names as Mzee James Mapalala, Kasanga Tumbo, Bob Makani, Chief Abdallah Fundikira, Mzee Edwin Mtei and Mabere Marando.

Most Tanzanians were so much used to the one party system, dominated by CCM, such that when opinions were sought, about 80 per cent choose to remain in that political arrangement. People’s views collected by the Wolfgang Dourado team showed that less than 20 per cent wanted multiparty democracy.

Nyerere’s wisdom

So, Tanzania could have chosen to remain in the one party system had it not been for the wisdom of the Founding Father of the nation Julius Nyerere. He advised the then government that even as less than 20 per cent had chosen multiparty system, it was important to recognise and honour them their wish. His reasoning was based on the fact that most of those who fell in the 80 per cent category did so out of ignorance of the changing realities and some just out of fear as intimidations were plenty. So, in essence the minority did speak for the majority even as the latter did not want to show it.

Maintaining peace is costly as it requires sacrifice and discipline. Losing peace is deadly. Tension has been rising in our country. We’re walking in uncertain times. Police orders appear to be incriminating opposition politics. It could all be for a good reason – but then one asks, which good reason?

Who is likely to benefit from this tension? Is it the ordinary Tanzanian? Is it the Opposition? Is it the ruling party? Is it enemies of Tanzania – including those who envy our country for its peace, stability and abundant natural resources?

If it is not going to benefit the ordinary Tanzanian, the opposition nor the ruling party, then we had better wake up and know that the enemy is at work. The enemy wants us to fall into chaos so that he or she would reap our wealth. So, we need to identify that enemy and how he has tricked us into this trap.

The question then remains, how can we maintain our peace? Well, we simply must decide to abide by our Constitution -- the mother law. If what the Opposition has been demanding is provided for in the constitution, let’s give it to them. Doing justice as per our laws is all that is needed. Let’s do justice to maintain our peace.

Cheers!

Deo Simba is  Senior Sub-editor with the Citizen