THE GENERAL ELECTION IN DMV 2014: SPECIAL INTEREST OF THE US TZ DIASPORA.

Agosti 9, 2014, Jumuiya waTanzania waishio Washington DC, Maryland na Virginia nchini Marekani ilifanya uchaguzi wake mkuu. Matokeo yake yamekuwa yakipingwa na aliokuwa wagombea wa uchaguzi huo kutokana na sababu mbalimbali. Wamaketi nasi kueleza sababu hasa za kupinga matokeo hayo Jumatano ya Agosti 13, 2014 Karibu uungane nasi kusikia wanachopinga.

The recent Association of Tanzanian Community (ATC)  general election in the DMV area left our community deeply polarized. The wound is still fresh possibly ought to take years to heal. As recently as two weeks ago, the group known as the Council of leaders of the Tanzanian Communities in the United States of America, jumped onto the fray and chose a committee of four individuals to mediate and find a solution so as to salvage our unity. 

The question is: who are these people and what are they trying to achieve?

The memorandum sent out by this group mentioned Mr Emil Muta, committee chair he is the President of Washington Tanzanian Community, Ms Viola Mbise, Committee Secretary; she is the Secretary of the Association of Tanzanian Natives in Dallas, Dr Ndaga Mwakabuta, committee member; he is the President of DICOTA and Mr Alfred Nkunga, committee member; he is the Secretary General of theTanzanian Houston Community.

As I noted above, this committee has positioned to solve the problem they might be aware of but taking the approach that is not relevant.
The disease here is deep rooted corruption and injustice  in our community, and the general election results is just the symptoms. Their offer to mediate this crisis at this time is too little too late. As the leaders of our communities across the U.S. I think they are aware of what happened and they know the root cause. If that is the case, they should have been up front and offer the relevant cure not treating symptoms.

The credibility of this committee also is questionable. Our general election, in particular the election results, were so conspicuous to our diaspora across the world. This generated condemnations from many diaspora members globally, but this committee never said a single word to censure those who perpetrated such behavior.

Another point that could undermine this committee's effectiveness is the unaccounted for few tens thousands  of dollars for the dual citizenship. This money was contributed by the diaspora for the intent to lobby our parliamentary members to advocate for the passage of dual citizenship law in the parliament.  DICOTA, which is the governing body of the diaspora, dispatched the envoy on lobbying mission. This mission was not accomplished owing unfavourable atmosphere in the parliament. This means there was unspent money left  to be returned to the diaspora. But as of now no adequate explanation has been given  and all these leaders have done nothing to hold the responsible party accountable. How will I trust they can solve our crisis?

Our leaders have succumbed to the belief that they are the genius of our communities and they think they have immunity. They do a lot of activities behind closed doors contrary to our constitutions, but under the umbrella of our organisations. They are so manipulative and elusive. This attitude is like a cancer, widespread in our communities, it needs aggressive chemotherapy to eradicate it. To be a leader does not mean one is smarter than anybody else, but you are there for the people.

Could be some of these committee members are implicated in dual citizenship money scandal, and for the fear of this fire spreading to their communities, they have to stop it right here?

Whether this committee is equipped from the bottom of the heart to remove the deep rooted corruption and injustice in  our communities or is just responding to the symptoms, remain to be seen.

DC Resident

DMV Community.