Dar es Salaam: Forum plans to block Katiba process in court

A civil society organisation wants the constitutional review process stopped because “it is marred by irregularities that might produce an inadequate Mother Law.”

The Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) says it plans to go to court to block the process that, it argues, has left out the majority of the wananchi.

Efforts to get the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) to comment on TCF sentiments were not successful because the commissioners were in a meeting.

However, the CRC principal information officer, Mr Omega Ngole, told The Citizen the Forum is yet to avail the commission with its list of misgivings. “We will be in a position to comment when we see what Tanzania Constitution Forum is protesting about,” Mr Ngole told The Citizen.

The constitution review process is in advanced stage. Individuals and institutions have already aired views and suggested what should be included in the envisaged new constitution. Constitutional forums are being formed and soon the draft constitution will be unveiled for further inputs and review.

But yesterday, TCF chairman Deus Kibamba told reporters processes have been too hurried and hence, only a few Tanzanians have aired their views. TCF also claims that their surveys show that many Tanzanians are not even aware of the process.

“Since there have been a notable violation of virtually all the important basics, TCF has no doubt people have been denied their right to ownership of their constitution,” he said.

Mr Kibamba’s protests on the constitution review comes after a similar protest was lodged by the main opposition party, Chadema, which alleges that the formation of Constitutional forums was marred by corruption. Chadema has threatened to pull out of the review process if irregularities in the formation of the forums won’t be addressed.

According to TCF, unfulfilled promises to further amend the Constitution Review Act as assured by President Jakaya Kikwete have increased doubts of ever getting a democratic Mother Law accommodating views and wishes of Tanzanians. Mr Kibamba said it was agreed that the new constitution endorsed in November 2011 would undergo amendments in three phases in the areas of district constitution councils, the constitution assembly and means of organising and running the referendum.

TCF believes that chaos and complaints during the election of members of the district constitution review teams was one of the negatives resulting from the failure to amend the Act.

Read More: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Forum-plans-to-block-Katiba-process-in-court/-/1840392/1853062/-/c5r4d8z/-/index.html