Developments within Chadema worrisome

By Editor

                                                                  Editorial Cartoon

 

Not that we care so much for the faces involved, but the recent developments within this country’s major opposition party, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), are worrisome.

There may be people who may have popped champagne bottles over what appears to be the beginning of the party’s imminent fall from grace.

In a surprising move two days ago, the country’s main opposition party stripped three of its stalwarts of all leadership posts, except their party membership – which may also follow.

Now Chadema deputy secretary general Zitto Kabwe, MP for Kigoma North, the party’s member of the central committee Dr Kitilla Mkumbo and Arusha regional chairman, Samson Mwigamba, all risk expulsion from the party should the allegations against them be proved “beyond reasonable doubt.”

We do not share in this misplaced thinking – because proof beyond reasonable doubt in politics is, in itself absurd, to say the least.

To start with, Chadema should have stepped back and asked themselves one simple question: Has the party they seek to unseat, namely, CCM, stripped anyone from its ranks?

We do not have that on record ourselves and, if anyone else does, we would love to know. The fact is, CCM has a strong internal ‘house-cleaning’ system which deals with its errant members without advertising its weaknesses for the delight of the opposition.

On a larger canvass, people now wonder: If these guys squabble in public over such small issues, what would happen if we gave them the mandate to rule this country?

Like a family, like a party: when two people or parties pick quarrels over foibles in public, the issues are inherently personal – and Chadema should spare the Tanzanian public this shame. We need to see maturity from the opposition in the name of democracy, if we can spell out that in our political life.

We are told that the trio stands accused of “conspiring to disintegrate “ Chadema’s political movement as well as to “denounce” the names of the party’s top national leaders, notably the national chairman, Freeman Mbowe and his Secretary General Dr Wilbrod Slaa.

Apparently “disappointed” by these developments, the party Vice Chairman, Said Amour Arfi, who is also MP for Mpanda Urban constituency, quit his post. The resignation was confirmed by Arfi himself in writing.

The future of this country depends on a strong opposition capable of making the ruling party and its government “sit up” as Mwalimu Julius Nyerere once said. As things stand now, the ruling party could well celebrate over champagne – and the government a well deserved sleep. With the current developments, Chadema doesn’t need external enemies.

The opposition owes Tanzanians truly alternative policies and development plans than mere slogans. The issue isn’t the colour or design of what party members wear; it’s what they can deliver.

There’s no pun intended here; both the ruling party and the main opposition have had party apparels of their own. However, in our search for a national dress, none fits the bill, we must say.

We hope that the next person to resign will be Mbowe himself unless he thinks Chadema is his personal property!

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY