Kahama Member of Parliament (CCM) James Lembeli.
They said Tanzanians expect a new constitution, and therefore challenged the ongoing CA debates given the latest shift in government position on the issue.
They were concerned about the government’s plan to amend the constitution instead of finding ways to convince Ukawa members to return to the CA and get the needed quorum.
Werema told reporters in Dar es Salaam early this month that the government intends to convene an emergency meeting of the Union Parliament to review and amend some sections in the Constitution, aimed at enabling the CA to muster the quorum.
Speaking separately with this paper, some CA members said the AG’s statement shows how the government lacks seriousness with regard to the new constitutional process.
Kahama Member of Parliament (CCM) James Lempeli said it was improper to proceed with the CA after the AG’s statement as the end result would be to support the existing union constitution.
He said he saw no reason to continue with the process while the government had already realized that there will be no new constitution.
He added that it is not fair to spend lots of public money on an exercise that will not result in the expected constitution.
In her part Ester Bulaya said the ongoing CA committee has lost its ‘taste’ owing to the absence of Ukawa members and asked the government to look for a reconciliation option.
A number of other members shared the same views, saying under the current situation no truly new constitution would be available in Tanzania soon.
However, Hamad Rashidi, Chairman of CA Committee Number Five said the proceedings should continue even if there will be a lack of 2/3 quorum.
He added that CA meetings will help them get some ‘good ideas’ from the draft that would be included in the Union constitution during the proposed amendment.
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