Pomp and fanfare: Members of the Field Force Unit (FFU) mount a parade to mark the 49th anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
(Photo; Khalfan Said)
BY EMMANUEL ONYANGO
27th April 2013
The president arrived at the stadium at 10.15 in a resplendent dark suit on board an open special State House car standing on the rear wearing his characteristic broad smile waving to people who responded with deafening cheers, clapping and ululation with his Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) General Davis Mwamunyange at his side. His motorcade was escorted by a dozen police motorcycle riders.
He later proceeded to the saluting dais where he was greeted by a 21-gun salute as the national anthem was being played before inspecting a guard of parade mounted by ten units of gallant defense and security forces armed forces including TPDF, Police, Prisons and National Service soldiers.
This year’s Union celebrations under the theme “Peace, tranquility and development are the good results of our union, let us cope and protect it” was typically graced by government leaders, diplomats, business executives, political leaders and ordinary people. There weren’t any invited leaders from outside the country.
After inspecting the guard, the well drilled men and women soldiers first moved around in slow motion, later punctuated by quick march before hitting goose steps to thunderous applause and thunderous approval from the thousands who turned out to witness the event.
The servicemen and women finally surged forward by 15 steps and pledged loyalty to their commander-in-chief in display of gallantry, the units led by military brass finally marched outside the stadium grounds and saluted their boss who joined other national leaders at the main dais.
Later, two special fast flying jetfighters performed military jaunts in perfect formation in respect of the guest of honour, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Earlier, security forces had a hard time controlling an influx of people into the Uhuru stadium who started to flock in at around 07.00 in the morning. The situation which later compelled the officers to open the ultra-modern national stadium and allowed some people in to watch the event after having realized they could not find space at Uhuru stadium.
The president’s arrival had been preceded by government leaders including former national heads of state of the second and third administrations, Ally Hassan Mwinyi who was accompanied by his wife Sitti Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa who was also accompanied by his wife Anna Mkapa.
Others on the high table were the Zanzibar President, Dr. Mohammed Shein and his first Vice President Seif Shariff Hamad. Also in attendance were the two Chief Justices of Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, Othman Chande (Tanzania mainland) and Omar Othman Makungu of Zanzibar, Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda, Speaker of the House of Representatives Pandu Amir Kificho and former Zanzibar President Aman Abeid Karume.
Also in attendance were three former prime ministers of the United Republic of Tanzania, Edward Lowassa who currently the MP for Monduli, Fredrick Sumaye and John Samwel Malecela. The current CCM party secretary general Abdulhaman Kinana and the former National speaker Pius Msekwa.
Although there were scores of national leaders both retired and current, an anonymous person was heard asking for the ‘whereabouts’ of the other former national dignitaries who once served as Presidents of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.
He cited these as Aboud Jumbe who ruled the Island since 1972 when the first President and the architect of union Sheik Abeid Aman Karume died up to 1984, and Salmir Amour who ruled as from 1990 and 2000. Since their retirements the two have never been seen attending such public functions.
Among others, the celebrations were coloured by 35 children who performed acrobatic games
Also rising to the occasion were several cultural troupes such as the Nyakitari traditional group from Tarime district in Mara region, Gonga group from Pemba, Makonde traditional group from Lindi and a special chioir from Masange National Service in Tabora.
Although Tanzania celebrates its 49 years of union, the occasion takes place at a time when the association of Zanzibar Revival group and that the association of Zanzibar Muslim organizations call for a constitutional debate and demanded for a referendum so that Zanzibaris and the people in mainland could decide separately whether they could want the union.
Ends/JM
However, in an reclusive interview with the Guardian the Chairperson of the committee stands for constitution and law in Parliament Dr. Pindi Chana said that, everybody has a right to issue views on the constitution process in any thing regarding union matters.
Speaking with the Guardian in an exclusive interview, after the ceremony, politicians and retired government officials said that the government should give enough time and opportunity to people to debate and openly discuss challenges of the unions.
A cross section of the opposition politicians were recently quoted as saying that, the process of writing constitution was the best opportunity for both the government and the people to review weakness and over all union problems for the development of the nation.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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