ABOVE: HON SALIM SAID SALIM - A FRIEND OF THE PROLETARIAT IN THE COUNTRY, AS HE LAMBASTS CAPITALISM AND ALL ITS EVEILS AT BWAWANI FEW YEARS AGO!
IN SUMMARY
- I keep wondering why the shilling continues to tumble, and why the cost of living keeps rising. And, why are there no jobs for the youth?
Whether we like it or not it appears that East Africa’s largest, most populous and most stable country is going through an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous period.
There is the high level of mistrust between the government and its ruling party CCM on one hand and the opposition on the other. This is the time to put things right. Tanzania’s neighbours and the international community at large must step in now and assist it to face the challenges ahead peacefully and more manageably.
The April Referendum for the Proposed Constitution and the General Election in October appear to be too big challenges for the nation.
So far, President Jakaya Kikwete’s CCM may appear as having a competitive edge compared to the other parties, but its hold is slowly slipping out of its fingers as was manifested in the civic elections last year.
The civic polls were, in some places, marred with violence and acts that no one could ever thought as taking place in Tanzania a few decades back.
The ruling party seems optimistic it will win the coming elections and it will endorse the Proposed Constitution. But, the four-party pact to unite is a power to reckon with. It can never be down played.
It should be remembered that all this is happening amid grand corruption scandals rocking the government leading to the sacking and resignation of some ministers. CCM has been shaken. The opposition has gained in strength – two decades after the country entered into the multi-party system.
Africa is full of allegations of election rigging. This happens when those in power want to cling to it even when what the people want is change. Will Tanzania avoid this trap – election rigging?
For example, there is already finger pointing in the Isles whereby those residing in Zanzibar but are from Pemba are being targeted. Such a tendency must stop. There should be no room for disenfranchise people.
Almost all political parties in the country have what they call youth wings. Sometimes these are also used as ‘armies’. There have been instances in the past when they were so unruly. They may have been in the heart of violence that occurred in past multiparty elections, especially in Zanzibar.
Recalling the 2001 incidents, for instance, dozens of innocent citizens had to flee Zanzibar because of violence.
So, as Tanzanians, we should not pretend not to see the developments. Let’s not turn a blind eye to the tension building up.
Recently, there were some outbursts by some CCM cadres in Zanzibar that they would declare their party the winner even if people decide to go for change.
Such remarks are to watch. They do not signal peace. They signal danger, they sound war. Remarks saying that victory does not necessarily have to come via the ballot box are also worrying.
Reports have shown that our economy has been growing at an impressive rate. But I keep wondering why the shilling continues to tumble, and why the cost of living keeps rising. More so, why do numbers of the unemployed continue to swell?
Religious tension, even though it currently appears to be under control, still needs checking. Its impact on the future of the nation cannot be underestimated.
Given the likelihood of a closely contested election, I think the international community, particularly the neighbouring countries, need to step in and work with Tanzanians so as to help the nation navigate through this difficult period.
The most important thing is to help Tanzania hold free, fair and peaceful elections. If that does not happen, it is the whole region that is going to shake and its economy and stability undermined.
The electoral commissions – NEC on the Mainland and ZEC in Zanzibar -- and security organs must not take sides. They must treat each party fairly and equally.
It is important for the government, political parties and their candidates and members to pledge and live to the promise that they will engage in a non-violent process, that they will adhere to election guidelines and that any electoral disputes will be adjudicated in court and not on the streets.
All Tanzanians must be made to realise that regardless of their political, religious or any other affiliation must place the interests and peace of the country first before their own and those of their groups.
May God bless Tanzania and its people so as to be able to go through this difficult and unpredictable situation.
Mr Salim is a veteran journalist based in Zanzibar. Email: sssalim47@yahoo.com
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