Africa-Press – Tanzania. MAJOR political parties in Tanzania have prioritized the enactment of a new constitution in their manifestos ahead of this year’s General Election, a move that has sparked renewed hope of reviving a process that has stalled for over a decade.
This was highlighted in Dar es Salaam by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) during an analysis of political party manifestos on the New Constitution and recommendations from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on revitalizing the process.
THRDC said that since each major party has listed the Constitution as a priority, it is now time for the nation to return to this important national agenda.
In their manifestos, ACT Wazalendo has pledged to complete the Constitution-making process within one year, while CHAUMMA promises to table the New Constitution Bill in Parliament within 100 days of forming a government. CUF has stated that it will commence a national debate on the Warioba Draft within three months, while CCM, through its candidate Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged to revive the process within the first 100 days.
THRDC noted that these commitments signal a new light for the country’s future but emphasized the importance of close monitoring to ensure citizens eventually obtain a Constitution founded on national consensus.
Speaking at a press briefing, THRDC Programme Director Halima Sonda said civil society organizations, through the “Tanzania We Want” manifesto, have continued to push for the New Constitution agenda to be included among national priorities alongside human rights, good governance, and quality public services.
THRDC’s Head of Advocacy, Lawyer Paul Kisabo, provided a historical overview of the country’s constitutions, from the 1961 Independence Constitution to the current 1977 Constitution, which has been amended 14 times, noting that a broad national consensus has never been achieved.
THRDC National Coordinator, Lawyer Onesmo Olengurumwa, stated that the stalled 2014 Constitution process was hindered by political divisions, lack of political will, and the proximity to the 2015 General Election, stressing the need to learn from these challenges.
Olengurumwa added that CSOs believe the current period is the most opportune time to return to the constitutional agenda, given the clear political commitment reflected in party manifestos. “We must ensure citizens participate fully, and this process should not be viewed through a partisan lens, but as a matter of national interest,” he said.
The organizations proposed several measures to ensure the success of the New Constitution process, including establishing national consensus, meaningful citizen engagement, firm political commitment, and avoiding conducting the process close to elections.
They also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability of the commissions to be established, drawing lessons from neighboring countries such as Kenya and South Africa, which successfully enacted inclusive constitutions.
The human rights defenders said that the onus is on political leaders to translate manifesto promises into action, while citizens must participate actively to ensure Tanzania attains a New Constitution that promotes unity, justice, and the well-being of all its citizens.
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