Let dialogue replace planned Chadema demonstrations

ONLY 10 days are left before CHADEMA launches countrywide demonstrations. The demonstrations are scheduled to commence on September 1. That is if they would go on with the planned demos.

The party’s National Chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe has maintained the stand that his party will hold the demonstrations in protest to the ban on political rallies, which was issued by the police in June.

Recently, religious leaders called for dialogue between political leaders, Police Force and other government officials to discuss the situation. Through their umbrella, the Association of Ethics and Human Rights Compliance for Sectarian Denominations in Tanzania, said dialogue is the only way to end the stalemate that is threatening peace and stability in the country.

The association’s secretary, Reverend Oswald Mlay, asked political party leaders to understand that if peace disappears, the first victims will be women, children and the elderly.

Moreover, a few days ago, the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG) organised a meeting intended to bring together CHADEMA officials, Police Force, ruling party and other stakeholders.

However, CCM and representatives of the Police Force, who are the key players in the standoff, failed to show up. Last Friday, Mr Mbowe continued with preparations for the demonstrations in Arusha.

This means CHADEMA continues with preparations contrary to the police order on political rallies and demonstrations. In a simple analysis, this is not a good sign for a peaceful country like Tanzania where people live and conduct both economic and social-political activities in a peaceful manner.

What is likely to happen on September 1 could be simply avoided by bringing Chadema, Police Force, CCM and other stakeholders on the round table. It is obvious that there is no single country across the world that has managed to bring peace or restore order through use of forces or violence.

Thus CHADEMA must obey the order given by authorities.

Moreover, police must also accept religious leaders’ invitation for reconciliation measures. There are reports that religious leaders have invited opposition leaders, Police and other stakeholders for a meeting on August 24.

Their aim is to bring them together and discuss the side effects of what is about to happen on September 1. History is the best teacher. We are fortunate because we are not the first ones to arrive in this world.

The sky above us has seen the lives of millions of human beings. We learn about the past, the present and predict the future. According to history, South Africa was unified by Great Britain in 1910. African National Congress party was formed in 1912.

The country was dominated by white minority until 1994 when ANC gained power. After ANC got to power under Nelson Mandela, the world expected a lot of changes, majority were waiting to see White South Africans being moved out of their land and forced to leave the country to unknown destination. But the power of reconciliation dominated and South Africa is a peaceful country until today.

Many things have happened in the country soon after the October 25, 2015. Tanzanians witnessed tumultuous and massive boycotts by opposition from the House.

They accused the Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, of siding with the government and the ruling party. But last week, the Speaker of National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai pleaded to open new chapter of consensus with the opposition when the House begins its sessions next month.

This means Mr Ndugai believes that mediation is the best way of solving both political and social based differences.

On Sunday, the National Convention for Construction and Reform (NCCR- Mageuzi) National Chairman, Mr James Mbatia, said during an interview on a local television station that the opposition believes in mediation.

As Tanzania eyes at building an industrial economy and become a middle income country by 2025, all compatriots need to maintain peace and unity