Armies for peace?
By Aditya Gosh & Kizito Makoye
Politics, they say, is a dirty game, where everything is justified. Well, almost
everything. At the same time, we brag about democracy and people’s power, we
talk about suffrage and all that, we win and thank for people’s mandate. With
hindsight, we can somehow always sense the manipulations. The ‘alleged’ role of
muscles and money. In every country in the world, especially in developing ones
where stakes are rather high, this is a disturbing trend that just cannot be
wished away.
But if the ugly trend just do not remain something to be ‘sensed’ and become
more than a reality and an order of the day? What message do you get when you
gear up with your ‘own security arrangement’ just when the election is round the
corner and form ‘brigades’ because you have lost faith in the security system of
the government? You claim that these brigades are necessary to maintain peace
during election and are defensive measures.
Well, as they say, attack is also a form of defence, is not it?
Sherlock Holmes once told his assistant Watson that the “master was he who knew
where to stop.” Well, when we talk about political parties being allowed to have
youth brigades for maintaining internal security and defend property, do we
really know where should we draw a line to say, this far and no further?
Not really. Because it still leaves a lot of grey areas and confusion. And it is
even more disturbing to see no one is ready to commit. When you see politicians
and ministers also maintaining an uncanny silence, you start wondering what the
business is all about and sense something fishy going on somewhere.
There are, in fact, many more such queries which come to mind. And surprisingly
enough, no one is ready to provide a clear picture and answers.
We asked ministers, politicians, authorities and the common man about what they
feel about it. Unfortunately, it remained as murky as it was as none failed to
provide any concrete answers and direction about the business of having peace
keeping forces.
Civic United Front (CUF) has one christened Blue Guard, while the ruling Chama
Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has one called Green Guard, Chama Cha Demokrasia na
Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has recently formed the Red Brigade, which brought to life
the controversy. The name itself suggests something uneasy, why brigade?
The party claimed just after the recently held civic election that to contest on
a level playing field, they should have an ‘army’ of their own. Though the word
army was denounced at once by the registrar of political parties, it finally
allowed CHADEMA to form the ‘brigade’ none the less. It reminds more of Mao’s
Red Army. Although the Registrar of political parties, John Tendwa would
vehemently refute anything foul in sanctioning parties to have youth brigades.
In an exclusive interview with The Express Tendwa categorically denied the
claims that he ever meant this to be ‘armies’ but he did accept that these
groups could be described as ‘internal security management groups’. The
nomenclature sounds fine but has little practical significance. “Let me clarify
this matter, I refute categorically that I allowed opposition political parties
to form the so called ‘defensive security forces’. I actually banned the parties
from forming such groups. It is against the constitution of the country,” he
said. The Registrar insisted that it is not him who allowed the political
parties to have what he termed as ‘internal security management’ but rather it
has been enshrined in the parties constitution and he does not foresee any
trouble for them to have the groups.
Then, who should ratify these constitutions of parties? There must be somebody
to do it, is not it?
According to him, “If internal security management groups are used
appropriately, I do not see any possible shortcomings, but political parties
should not form combatant groups within their parties.”
“I have only learnt recently that CCM and CUF had their youth wings called Green
Guard and Blue Guards, so when CHADEMA came up with one of its own that is when
I was shocked, but of course, later I was satisfied by the party as they wrote
to me clarifying the intention of the group. They claimed that they were going
to form the ‘directorate of defence and security,” he claimed.
But he did admit that though the word ‘security’ was too strong to have been
used in this context in the first place, but then it was inevitable as there was
no other ways to describe the role of these youth wings. But he clarified that
the groups are not allowed to use fire arms.
He would rather give a clean chit to the political parties. “It is not the
intention of the parties to use its youth wings for the purpose of creating
violence in the society,” he said.
But the Publicity Secretary of CCM Ramadhani Omari Mapuri, who is also the
Minister of Home Affairs, did not uphold the confidence rested on him and his
political colleagues by Tendwa. By choosing not to be transparent, he refused to
comment ‘anything’ on this issue when asked by The Express, invoking not only
curiosity but also a suspicion.
Strangely, the opposition also, at least in this particular issue, is in
agreement with other political parties, even their arch rivals.
“I think the issue of parties forming youth wings is clearly contrary to how it
is being perceived by the society. It is clearly stated in the constitution of
our party, that there shall be unarmed guards to protect the leaders and parties
property. I do not understand how we call it a controversy. I think Tendwa
himself makes it look like rather a controversy but I tell you it is not,” Prof.
Ibrahim Lipumba, Chairman of CUF said.
But he is categorical in stressing his lack of faith in the police. “The police
sometimes fail to provide enough security to the people, as it was the case
during local government elections. Our party’s headquarters were vandalized and
guards were seriously injured,” he claimed, in a way justifying the formation of
youth groups.
He further added, “We have clearly stated that our security people do not posses
fire arms.”
Mahmood Ramadhani, Student Faculty of Science, University of Dar es Salaam.
The idea of parties to have security guards is not a bad one as long as they
have a guideline to adhere to. At the same time one has to bear in mind the fact
that there might be political zealots who would wish to spoil the general idea
because of their own gains.
James Evarist, Student Faculty of Laws University of Dar es Salaam
“The issue itself looks controversial. If youth wings are allowed it might be
difficult to control them. I think parties’ youth wings may be wrongly perceived
as armies as there is a very thin line of demarcation.”
Fortunatus Joachim, Student Faculty of Commerce, University of Dar es Salaam
“I think the statement itself is a political one and it is not a good idea at
all for the parties to have security guards. This statement is sensitive and in
my opinion it should not have been made by the Registrar.”
Janet Igogo, Student Faculty of Laws, University of Dar es Salaam
“I think it is better for the government to strengthen the police. Parties
should not be allowed to have their own guards because that will amount to chaos
and violence. As it has always been the case in the past, voters can be easily
influenced after acts of violence.”
Safari Edward, Student Faculty of Engineering, Dar es Salaam
“There must be a commitment to stick to the predetermined objective if political
parties are to have youth wings responsible for security of properties. If CCM
has one, why cannot CHADEMA or CUF? The play has to be fair among all parties
and that is exactly what the Registrar wants it to be.”
Exercise books become more
costly
By Express Reporter
The prices of the exercise books have gone up by over 10 per cent on an average
following the introduction of East African Customs Union protocol which was
signed last year.
According to owners of stationary shops, the prices are going up due to a
multitude of factors including taxation at every point in the supply chain,
better incentive to import, lack of paper and an imbalance between increased
demand and low supply. So for the end user, prices have become higher from what
it used to be.
“The system of stationary depends on the raw materials which come from our own
country. So the prices were quite reasonable. Now the whole of East Africa has
access to these raw materials at the same rate as we do, the producers have
increased the price with increasing demand,” said Saleh Hamisi a seller from
Mandarins stations Ltd.
Also with increasing prices, the quality of products has suffered as well to
maintain an increased rate of supply.
Sellers from Tahfif trading centre claimed that the government had told them
after customs union is implemented, the price will go down. Instead they have
gone up,” they said.
As the competition has increased, lack of paper has started affecting the
markets as well. While a sizeable amount of product is now being exported to
Kenya and Uganda, the local markets have started feeling the pinch.
The price of exercise books with 80 pages and 100 pages with normal paper were
sold earlier for Tsh 170 to 180 which has now gone up to Tsh 200 to 220.
In fact, the imported exercise books are now cheaper than the ones produced in
the country, claimed Ali Kasim, a seller from Empire stationary service.
“The good quality exercise books are now more expensive than ever. The price has
increased from between Tsh 1,000 to 1,500 to Tsh 1,500 to 2,000,” he said.
Dodoma swept by fear of famine
By Danny Eliah, Dodoma
The fear of famine is rising among the people in Dodoma Region due
to absence of seasonal rains for three months.
The lack of rain has seriously disrupted the harvest and in some areas crops
have dried completely. Investigation shows that 75 per cent of all crops planted
have dried.
For the region’s farmers this is a very serious situation. Some farmers said
that they had lost hope of harvesting crops for food this season, let alone
harvest any cash crops.
Earlier, they said, they had hoped to harvest enough crops for food and reserve
some to sale to increase their incomes, but now those hopes had vanished.
“This is the third week and no rain has fallen, maize in the farms has withered
and some has dried completely, signalling that famine is facing the Region,”
said Hamza Mohamed, a farmer from Chenene Village.
“People have lost hope of harvesting anything, even if it will rain again, the
harvest will not be as predicted,” said Josephat Mazengo of Zanka Village.
Certain areas of the Region have had some drizzling rains and the farmers have
seen their crops grow, but for many the complete lack of rain is worrying. Some
residents in the Region have called on the government to view the problem as
signalling a famine disaster in the days to come.
Authority accused of
complacency
Nestory Ngwega,Tanga
Tanga Municipal Council Authority has been blamed for not taking serious
measures against spread of AIDS infection.
The complaints were raised by the councillor for Nguvumali Ward in Tanga
municipality (CCM), Mr. Bakari Bendera, during a forum on human rights held at
Mkonge Hotel this week.
He urged TACAIDS to follow up the fate already provided money in the
municipality had been receiving to identify the weak areas and lay down
appropriate strategies of reaching the AIDS victims.
Speaking on the issue of AIDS the Tanga Regional Commissioner, Capt (rtd) Jaka
Mwambi appealed to all AIDS activists in the Region to make sure that their
strategies against HIV reaches the village communities.
He said the matter of fighting AIDS must start from the family level and it was
the responsibility of the activists to reach rural areas.
He also asked for more assistance to orphans whose parents died of AIDS,
because most of them lived in poor condition.
The forum which was sponsored by the UNDP was opened by the Minister for
Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Bakari Mwapachu and drew together religion
leaders from Islamic and Christian sects.
Tourism course launched in Dar
By Express Reporter
The Open University of Tanzania is launching the first ever post-graduation
course in the country in Tourism Management, recognising the need of trained
professionals in the industry which contributes heavily to the nation’s country.
The MA programme, a direct contact course is offered to university graduates
with honours degree from approved institution of higher learning, equivalent to
an honours degree of the Open University.
The course will cost a total of Tsh.3.2million covering tuition, OUTSO and
application fees. The statement said an applicant holding an advanced diploma
would be considered for admission provided the applicant also holds post
graduate diploma.
UN outlines plans to achieve
MDG
By Express Reporter
Tanzania can achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by
2015, if the world adopts and realises a major global policy breakthrough in
2005.
This is one of the recommendations in a newly launched UN report unveiled on
Tuesday by UN resident coordinator for Tanzania John Hendra at a function held
at Movenpick Hotel.
The report titled “Investing in development : A practical plan to achieve the
Millennium development Goals” outlines what needs to be done, where immediate
action should be taken and how much it would cost the countries to achieve the
MDGs.
The report also recommends development strategies for countries like Tanzania,
identification of MDGs ‘fast-track’ countries, joint efforts to better standard
of living for both developed and developing nations and promoting economic
growth.
The report stresses that 250 million people will no longer starve while 30
million children and the lives of two million mothers will not die.
The key findings of the report is that the cost of meeting the MDGs is less than
what wealthy nations already promised to contribute in development assistance.
The report emphasises that the average of $150 billion a year would be enough to
get the world on track to ending extreme poverty.
“Tanzania, with its success in primary education in the Millennium Project
Report concomitant with finalisation of the country’s new poverty reduction
strategy-MKUKUTA, and commitment to appropriate policy reforms, MDG’s such as
Universal Primary Education can be achieved even before the target date,’ said
John Hendra.
The report further calls for implementation of priority intervention, or ‘quick
wins’ which could bring vital gains.
It is also insisted that the implementation would make children, especially
girls attending school to avoid hurdles in life.
According to senior Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Raphael
Mollel, Tanzania will only achieve MDG’s and MKUKUTA goals if major changes are
made in various sectors.
“All stakeholders in production and social services must work together to
mobilise domestic and external resources and to direct them towards strategies
and plans which will enable the country to achieve the targets,” he stressed.
back to headlines
Dribbling for survival
Ode to an extraordinary story of courage,
discipline and determination
By Fatima Grace Bapumia
You must have seen her. In some street corners, on the footpath, on the ground,
dangling a football rather casually. Walking with a smile on her face, hiding
the distance she has covered. One among the sizeable crowd, you may also have
offered a coin or two to her after her ‘performance’. But you had hardly had
time to lend you ears to such stories. Commonplace, you would snub it as. Yes,
you are right indeed, the stories of poverty are stale and overused. But the
ways to combat and confront it is not. We, at The Express, pay a tribute to a
unique spirit of life and courage of a young woman who is trying to defy the
odds by dribbling a football on the streets of Dar.
“No Sex. Only football” is the motto for 17-year-old Hadhara Charles, resident
of Tandale Kwa Mtogole who earns her living by dribbling a football the whole
day in the streets of Dar es Salaam.
A shy girl whom one can hardly coax to talk to the shyness changes into
confidence and the look on her page becomes sharp as she focuses her eyes to the
football. She is proud to have invaded the arena which was supposed to be a
forte for the boys. And she is looking forward to a team which would hire her as
a professional footballer.
Everyday, Hadhara walks from Tandale, about 20 km from Dar, to different parts
of the city demonstrating her dribbling skills on the way and after reaching
here. People pay something like Tshs. 100 if they are happy enough, she ends the
day with Tshs.10,000 on average. She starts her walk back by 3.00 p.m, to reach
home and pay her grandma the day’s income.
She has been doing this for the past four months, since she finished primary
school last year. Her only problem, however, is not poverty but finding cheap
food in the city centre.
And she dreams to be a professional. “I want to be a footballer, if I get a team
to hire me as a professional football player I will have achieved my dream,” she
said.
Upon arriving home, Hadhara rests for a while before she sets of for her daily
football practice. “I practise with the boys of the Kosovo team at Mchangani,
just to test my stamina,” she said.
With an ability to control the ball till you tell her to stop, Hadhara said she
can dribble 600 times without dropping it. “I had nothing better to do to earn
an honest living, so I started practising since the age of ten,” she would say
shyly.
Apart from football she is also a master in bird hunting using a catapult and
stones, cycling and playing marbles.
Born in a family of all girls, Hadhara does not see herself any different
despite her rather boyish interests. “I don’t feel I am different from other
girls, football is an art just like any other art,” she said. At least it earns
her bread and keeps her grandmother happy.
Hadhara gives half her earning to her grandmother and uses the other half to buy
her own things since she is afraid of saving the money in the house for the fear
of being stolen. “I can’t keep the money in the house, it will get stolen”.
In this big bad world, she is aware of the dangers of being conned by men who
might want to take advantage of her, thus she protects herself by not engaging
into long conversations with men. “No man cannot cheat me,” says Hadhara with
the same pride in her eyes, the one reflects through her face when she brings
the football down on her shoulder ending the show.
Car theft on the rise
By Kizito Makoye
Incidents of car theft is on the rise and despite continued efforts by the
Police, the problem persists with four reported incidents in Dar es Salaam in
past couple of weeks.
The Dar es Salaam Police Commander (RPC), Alfred Tibaigana told The Express in
an interview over the phone that the unregistered taxi drivers were becoming
targets for the hijackers who often hire them and then flee with the vehicle.
“Most of these drivers are not cautious about security, they should be careful
as the thieves have many tactics, they can disembark from the hired car and
pretend to go for a drink with the driver,” he stressed.
He said that the thieves often use tactics such as asking the driver to buy
him/her telephone vouchers and in other instances, the thieves offer a driver
drinks.
Tibaigana said most cars stolen are not registered ‘taxis.’ “These are saloon
cars where owners chose to put white number plates and put a sticker showing
they operate as taxis,” he said.
According to Tibaigana police, in collaboration with Tanzania People’s Defence
Forces managed to foil two theft incidents. In the first incident unknown
persons had hired a taxi driver identified as Ali Hamisi (50) who had Toyota
Mark II from Shauri Moyo Street to Kimara Bucha.
Tibaigana has appealed to people to help the police in their efforts to curb
criminal activities in the city and the country as a whole. Last year a car
belonging to Kenya’s Chief of Difence Forces was stolen on a Mombasa Highway and
latter was found at Sinza in Dar es salaam, while being painted.
Security companies come under
scrutiny
By Kizitto Joseph
The government has stepped up its efforts to ensure that the security companies
operating in the country are up to standards. The aim of the exercise is to
remove registration licences from unqualified companies.
Aden Mwamunyange, spokesperson for the Police Force, said in an interview in Dar
es Salaam that security companies have mushroomed in Tanzania and most of them
are not able to meet the desired standards.
Tanzania has now over 300 security companies owned by retired police officers
and TPDF sergeants, he said.
But according to the director for criminal investigation Adadi Rajab, few
companies pay decent salaries and have modern security equipment. Their failure
to operate properly is due to a lack of capital, he was recently quoted saying.
In order to start operating a security company, the person in question has to
present a bank account which shows satisfactory capital to run the company.
“Some security companies don’t have even offices while others hire rooms in
residential houses. I am going to write to my regional commanders to order them
to conduct thorough inspection and nullify all licences of companies of this
nature,” Rajab said.
Rajab said the exercise will later involve foreign security companies, which
despite having modern security equipment are not performing well.
DC cautions on environmental
degradation
By Zainabu Yusuph, Dodoma
Dodoma Urban District Commissioner (DC), Retired Lieutenant Shabani Muyombo, has
urged residents of Makulu Village and other villages to stop digging for sand in
residential and farming areas as it causes environmental degradation. Stern
measures will be taken against any offenders.
Speaking to The Express in his office, the DC showed concern over the matter but
said that the warning issued by his office had shown success in Kisasa and
Ntyuka areas, where the communities have been cooperative.
The people, especially the youths in those villages, have understood the message
and have made efforts to find special areas where they can excavate sand from.
These are places where the nature is not harmed by excavation of sand.
In places where digging for sand in unsuitable areas was continuing, he asked
rhetorically why the offenders had not been taken to task and wondered why the
authorities did not do anything about the situation?
This indicates he argued, that there are people who excavate sand purposely and
that there are those who support them.
Explaining on what measures to be taken he said: “We will make farm owners
accountable first, as they know who excavates sand from their farms. The farmers
remain quiet because they are given a little money, without knowing that they
bring disaster to our district.”
The government, the DC said, will make a follow up of those who violate the
rules and make sure they are brought to justice to answer for their offences.