CHADEMA threatens nationwide demonstrations if CA is not halted

By Devota Mwachang`a

Chairperson Freeman Mbowe

Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has threatened to conduct countrywide demonstrations and strikes if the ongoing Constituent Assembly sessions in Dodoma will not be stopped with immediate effect.

 

Issuing the demands yesterday in Dar es Salaam at their party’s General Meeting, Chadema’s National Chairperson Freeman Mbowe said it is the party’s vision that the demonstrations are the only remaining solution to force the CA to stop.

 

“We are fed up with what is going on in Dodoma so we want the CA to be halted or else we will conduct countrywide demonstrations to pressurize the CA to stop,” he warned.

“The CA is abusing taxpayers’ money,” he accused.

 

Mbowe, whose party leadership tenure ended yesterday (on Sunday), called upon the party’s lawyers to organize themselves and prepare to rally the public for the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the ongoing constitution review process is scheduled to stop on October 4 and resume after the General Election slated for October 2015 under the newly elected Tanzanian President.

 

This follows the consensus reached between President Jakaya Kikwete and members of the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD) last Sunday where they also agreed on amendments to the Elections Act.

 

 TCD Chairman John Cheyo said the postponement is in accordance with the 60 days extension granted through Government Notice number 254 issued by the President on August 1 this year.

 

Earlier, Chairman of NCCR Mageuzi James Mbatia, CUF Chairman Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba and Philip Mangula congratulated Chadema leaders for their leadership and urged opposition political parties to work together.