Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has opened the door for political consensus, imploring politicians to refrain from politics of chaos, riot and sedition.
President Samia issued the statement yesterday in Dodoma when officiating a three-day political stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the state of democracy in the country.
The Head of State emphasized on responsible and clean politics, saying politicians should avoid issuing inflammatory remarks likely to derail peoples’ development.
She reminded politicians to perform their activities according to the country’s governing laws, insisting no one was above the law.
President Samia expressed the government’s readiness to allow politicians exhibit politicians maturity by refraining from vulgar politics that could create instability and disrupt national development.
Ms Samia directed the police force to meet with all registered political parties and other stakeholders to discuss and agree on the best ways to conduct the rallies without violating the country’s laws, rules and regulations.
The meeting, organised by the office of the Registrar of Political Parties in collaboration with the Political Parties’ Council, was attended by democracy stakeholders, council members, non-council member-political parties, clerics, government and non-governmental institutions, without contravening the legislation because the past history has indicated that in rallies conducted by politicians there have been destruction of properties, uttering inflammatory statements that directly instigate people into causing chaos.”
The president said that she was ready to lift the ban on political rallies provided that all parties would agree to maintain the country’s peace, harmony and tranquility for development.
“I believe this meeting will have a dialogue which shall reach a consensus and if we realize that the rallies would be conducted in a peaceful manner, we would sanction them.”
President Samia, on the other hand, insisted that her government was open to constructive criticism, saying people, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and politicians should be vigilant about government activities and highlight drawbacks to improve governance. President Samia said she was aware that CSOs were dealing with people especially at the grassroots level, hence, they were able to relay people’s grievances for the government to act.
“I want you to help us know what the challenges our people are facing because this country is for us,’’ she said, adding that her administration was ready to work on all challenges facing Tanzanians regardless of their ideologies.
At the historic event that opened a new chapter in the country’s politics, the Chairman of the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), Zitto Kabwe, apparently requested President Samia to intervene and release the Chairperson of the opposition Chadema, Freeman Mbowe who is facing charges before the court of law.
“We are here as leaders of political parties, some are not here their own reasons, but one of us is not here because of legally issues, we plead before you that he be set free and settle this matter out of court,’’ said Mr Kabwe who doubles as ACT-Wazalendo Party Leader.
Responding, President Samia underlined the need for every person in the country to abide by laws of the country insisting: “If we want democracy to flourish, it is equally important to respect the laws… if you don’t the government would not respect you as well.
However, there is room for forgiveness because we are all human beings, we do make mistakes,’’ she stated.
The President also used the occasion to counsel political parties to exercise politics of development, rather than dwelling on politics of enmity.
“Politics is not telling lies, uttering abusive languages or enticing people not to participate in development matters, politics is not issuing inflammatory statements that can bring conflict between citizens and their government and such politics do not build our nation but rather violate fair competition regulations,’’ she insisted.
Speaking at the Occasion, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said by holding the meeting with political stakeholders, Tanzania had demonstrated before the world that Tanzania had maintained the culture to have dialogue with the political class and other stakeholders to discuss issues that are of national interest.
“I want to assure the political party’s council that the government will intensify collaboration with all stakeholders in order to strengthen unity, peace and harmony for the entire nation,” said Mr Majaliwa.
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