MALATA: UNION CASE DEAD AND BURRIED

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Author: FAUSTINE KAPAMA
AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Solicitor General’s Office has welcomed the East African Court of Justice (EACJ)’s ruling in favour of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Solicitor General Gabriel Malata told a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday the matter has now gained legal status in relation to issues that have been complained about over the existence of the Union.

Mr Malata said the Court in its ruling, clarified that the State of the United Republic of Tanzania is not only known in Africa, but also in the United Nations, where any member State is registered.

“These Union relations between the Republic of Tanganyika and the People’s Republic of Zanzibar were formalised through the articles of Union and later registered with the United Nations and a nation called Tanzania was born.

In that context, according to him, be it in Tanzania, East Africa, in Africa or in the world, the issue of the legitimacy of the United Republic of Tanzania is very clear, insisting “It is befitting for the matter to be legally concluded through the court’s decision like that

On Tuesday, the Court’s First Instance Division composed of three justices resolved negatively the case brought by way of an application for reference filed by Mr Rashid Salim Adiy and 39,999 other residents of Zanzibar, as applicants, challenging the Union of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Court composed of Principal Justice Monica Mugenyi and Justices Audace Ngiye and Charles Nyachae dismissed the reference in question after allowing two grounds of objections raised by the respondents into the matter, including Attorney General of Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

Others were Chief Secretary of Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar and the Attorney General of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The justices dismissed Reference No.9 of 2016, holding that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that the application in question was time barred.

“We find and hold that this Court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine the subject matter of the reference.

Further and in any event, it is also our finding that at the time of filing the reference, the same was time barred. Accordingly we hereby uphold both points of law as raised,” they declared.

Reference challenged the legality of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar that was brought to effect way back in 1964 and has remained strong ever since, with people mingling from each side of the Union, moving and staying at will in accordance with the laws.

the hearing the respondent raised two preliminary objections regarding the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the matter and also the issue of the Reference being time barred.

Court held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain a reference whose subject matter predates the EAC Treaty, given that treaties did not apply retrospectively.

The Court further upheld the objection on time limitation given that the contested Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar occurred in 1964.

During the hearing, the respondents were represented by Mr Gabriel Malata, who is the Solicitor General of Tanzania, while Rashid Mutola appeared for the applicants.

Articles of Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar is the main foundation of the Constitutions of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government of 1984.

were signed on April 22, 1964 by the Founders of the Union, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Mzee Abeid Amani Karume and agreed in 11 matters that later increased to over 22 and are the source of tension and dispute between Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

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