By Mwinyi Sadallah, The Citizen Correspondent
IN SUMMARY
The proposed constitution will have to be approved by no less than 50 percent of voters from either side of the Union. If this challenge is achieved and the new constitution is passed, Tanzania will join the league of nations that have written a new constitution with the active participation of the people.
Zanzibar. Political temperatures have shot up in Zanzibar even before the formal announcement of the arrangements for the referendum on the new constitution, with three camps setting the pace for the campaign and, by extension, the poll in April next year.
The proposed constitution will have to be approved by no less than 50 percent of voters from either side of the Union. If this challenge is achieved and the new constitution is passed, Tanzania will join the league of nations that have written a new constitution with the active participation of the people.
Zanzibaris have been concerned after it emerged that the principals in the Government of National Unity hold different views of the proposed law. While President Ali Mohammed Shein supports the proposed law, first Vice President Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad of the Civic United Front has been campaigning against it. With the two pulling in different directions, many Zanzibaris have been concerned about the absence of a common stand.
Dr Shein has told those attending his rallies to vote for the proposed constitution because it has taken on board wider interests such as Zanzibar’s economy, social and political affairs. According to him, separating oil and gas from Union issues assures Zanzibar of more benefits should the resources be discovered in the archipelago.
Those who have joined Dr Shein in his mission include the second Vice President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, and the minister of State in the President’s office in charge of Regional Administration and security organs, Mr Haji Omar Kheir. Also in that camp are Minister for Lands Ramadhan Abdalla Shaaban and State minister in the President’s Office (Good Governance) Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini
Their calls have been echoed by top lieutenants of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), including Deputy Secretary General Vuai Ali Vuai and Women’s Wing Deputy Chairperson Asha Bakary Makame. They have sold the idea that the proposed constitution has widely considered and embraced the interests of women, youth and children.
But Maalim Seif and his assistants in CUF have been urging Zanzibaris to reject the proposed constitution because it has failed to give them what they need most in the contemporary world--autonomy. The seasoned opposition politician, who started his political career in CCM, has been telling Zanzibaris that the proposed constitution has fallen short of addressing the interests of Zanzibaris--and that the way the new constitution has been drafted will deny Zanzibar its economic, social and political liberty.
Though there have been claims that the new law will give Zanzibar a say in international issues, Mr Seif adds, this is not possible given the two-government Union system.
Mr Maalim Seif also expressed doubts that the proposed constitution could be the voice of the people because, he said, it has dropped major recommendations from the people, including the three-tier union government.
In his crusade, Maalim Seif is supported by Mji Mkongwe Representative Ismail Jussa, Minister for Infrastructure and Communications Juma Duni Haji, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Marketing Nassor Ahmed Mazruy and Constitution and Justice Minister Abubakary Khamis.
If passed the way it is, they claim, the new constitution will not deliver self-rule for Zanzibaris who want to determine their affairs without intervention from the Mainland. Amidst all these debates, a third group has emerged. Formed by people outside the government, the membership includes a former minister, Mr Mansoor Yusuph Himid, who wants Zanzibaris to boycott the referendum.
Speaking during a symposium held here recently, Mr Himid argued that if passed the way it is, the new constitution will create confusion on a number of issues--including land, which has been listed among Union affairs while natural resources such as oil and gas have been dropped from the list.
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