Now it is quite clear that hopes of getting a new constitution are fading away following fresh threats of pull-out from the Coalition of Defenders of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa).
The coalition says it will order all its members out of an ongoing Constitutional Assembly meeting over what it termed as ‘CCM interference’ in the constitution-making processe.
After squandering close to Sh 9 billion in taxpayers money, the process now seems headed for collapse. Until yesterday, there was precious little agreement on the structure of the government.
At issue is the formula that requires at least two-thirds of members from both the Mainland and Zanzibar to agree on any of the major decisions.
The coalition (Ukawa) which is a loose grouping of all the major opposition parties -- Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, Civic United Front( CUF) - accuses the ruling party of ‘hijacking’ the process.
Of course, many CCM members head the CA standing committees formed to deliberate on the two chapters of the second Draft Constitution before it is tabled before the CA plenary session on Tuesday.
At a joint meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the secretaries from the three political parties said the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi “shall bear the blame” should the process collapse.
It is now unclear if the CA meeting shall proceed should Ukawa pull its members out of the CA.
NCCR-Mageuzi, Secretary General Mosena Nyambabe accused President Kikwete of ‘threatening’ the general public during his last speech to the Constituent Assembly.
Chadema Secretary General Dr Willbrod Slaa said CCM was ‘afraid’ of accountability which is why they are attempting to delete words like openness and accountability.
“According to the Zanzibar constitution, Article 80 states clearly that the council cannot change the constitution without the approval of the referendum, and if the (CA) will not follow and respect the opinions of the public, CA members will be wasting their time,” Dr Slaa argued.
Sheweji Mketo, CUF acting deputy secretary-general, said a three-tier government was a public consensus - and should be respected.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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