Kificho disqualifies MP Mnyika's appeal
In a hushed announcement, Deputy CA Chairperson Samia Suluhu Hassan said that Chairperson Samuel Sitta had accepted the fact that its composition did not take into consideration other groups.
The CA got to a dramatic start yesterday when deputy chairperson Samia Hassan Suluhu announced the committee reconstitution ahead of an official appeal by Ubungo MP John Mnyika, who appealed for its dissolution, alleging ‘unequal’ representation.
Suluhu said CA chairperson Samuel Sitta had agreed that other political parties be represented in the steering committee, and hence appointed Civic United Front (CUF) Chairman Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba to the steering committee along with Fakharia Khamis Shomari, Hamoud Abuu Jumaa, Mary Chatanda and Amon Mpanju – just before Lipumba turned down his appointmenta few days ago.
In his place, the CA chairman has now appointed Chama Cha Maendeleo na Demokrasia (Chadema) chairman Freeman Mbowe. Others appointed to form the new steering committee are Nakazaeli Tenga from the 201 group, Fatma Abdulabib Fereji of CUF, Habubakar Hamis Bakari of CCM and Amon Mpanju –also from CCM.
The steering committee is made up of 19 members, 14 of whom are chairpersons of the CA committees and the rest picked by the chairpersons of the House. The team will have executive powers to regulate all the deliberations of other committees; it will also set the structure and the mode of voting.
However, when Ms Suluhu invited Pandu Ameir Kificho, erstwhile chair of the Standing Orders, to table his report on the deliberations of CA last week, and several CA delegates rose on points of order -- seeking clarifications from the chair.
In fact, delegates scrambled to bar Ameir from tabling his report, arguing they needed more time to discuss it.
But,Suluhu stood her ground against protesting MPs -- led by Ismail Jussa and Mosses Machali and David Kafulila -- who accused her of ‘dictating’ against ‘their freedom to speak in the assembly.’
In another episode, a section of opposition MPs – who included Ismail Jussa, John Mnyika, Mosses Machali, Tundu Lissu and David Kafulila – said the existing orders were good enough.
Late last month, Sitta’s appointments of the five members to the steering committee was criticized by several members of the CA as “irrational and party biased.”
Most CA members said they were not satisfied with the election of committee chairpersons, arguing the majority were from the ruling CCM.
Quoting regulation no 52 (2), a CA member, Mohamed Habib Mnyaa wanted to know why there were only three Zanzibari chairpersons.
“As we all know, the Union matter is a sensitive issue … how come Zanzibar is being represented by only four people … and most of them from are CCM.
“Does the CA belong to CCM … or to the United Republic of Tanzania?"
"This is what Zanzibaris have complained about for years … that the mainlanders are ‘bulldozing’ them in most Union matters," he warned.
Kangi Lugora (CCM) asked the chairman to ensure the minority were not ‘swallowed’ by the majority in the ruling party.
"When we claim we should not swallow Zanzibar, why does CCM want to swallow the minority in the CA?" Lugola queried.
But speaking outside the debating chamber here yesterday, CA delegate Rashid Hamad Mohammed said although Lipumba’s refusal to chair was “politically okay” the man had “lost a golden chance to serve Tanzanians.”
However, CA delegate Christopher Ole Sendeka said it was “very difficult to satisfy every member of the assembly.”
Even then, CA delegate Victor Mwambalaswa congratulated Sitta for his decision, saying democracy “has taken its course.”
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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