Sitta: Proposed Katiba to be ready as planned

[RUCCI]

The new timetable was changed after the Steering Committee chaired by Mr Sitta met to deliberate on how quickly the CA could work around the clock to beat October 4 deadline.

Barely a day after Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD) revealed that the country would not get a new constitution before 2015, Constituent Assembly (CA) chairman Samuel Sitta yesterday delivered a statement to the effect that the CA-approved proposed constitution will be delivered before October 4.

According to Mr Sitta, the committee that started working on the improvement of the proposed draft since the commencement of debate by Members of the Constituent Assembly (MCAs), is expected to hand over the final document on September 21.

"We will ensure that the major objective of the CA, which is to deliver a constitution to our people, is achieved within the deadline,'' said the CA chairman.

TCD chairman John Cheyo told reporters on Tuesday that after representatives of political parties met President Jakaya Kikwete at his Kilimani State Lodge on Monday, parties agreed that the CA be brought to a halt on October 4 which is the last day for Katiba sittings.

He said those present agreed unanimously that the exercise be called off on the grounds that it was unlikely the CA would manage to deliver the much-anticipated Katiba. But in a quick rejoinder, Chadema secretary general Willibrod Slaa told the The Citizen that the party leaders wanted the CA to be suspended immediately, not on October 4.

"We prepared a statement on the deal that we sealed with Mr Kikwete, but the copy I have does not state anywhere that we agreed that the CA continues until that date…what we said is: the assembly should be suspended immediately to save taxpayers' money."

The TCD chairman was categorical that the decision to halt crafting of a new constitution was reached after realising that the time left to the 2015 General Election was not enough to accomplish such a big task. Yesterday, Mr Sitta expressed his confidence, insisting that the proposed Draft Constitution that would go for a referendum would be ready after MCAs' vote for it in the Assembly next week. However, TCD officials agreed that the referendum be suspended until after General Election.

This means, the new Mother Law would be obtained after going through two different regimes. President Kikwete's tenure of office ends after October 2015. His successor is yet to be known until Tanzanians go to polls.

The CA chairman yesterday announced the new schedule for the Assembly. He said the debate on all chapters would be concluded by Saturday this week and that MCAs would vote for the proposed draft early next week.

The new timetable was changed after the Steering Committee chaired by Mr Sitta met to deliberate on how quickly the CA could work around the clock to beat October 4 deadline. President Kikwete extended the CA sittings for 60 days in the Government Notice (GN) 254 that was gazetted on August 1, 2014. The Head of State extended the Assembly until October 4, 2014.

Sources close to The Citizen hinted that Mr Sitta met his team that includes top government officials on Tuesday night to brainstorm and decide how better the Assembly should go to ensure the proposed draft was obtained before the deadline. This paper also understands that the drafting committee is currently burning midnight oil to have the document delivered on time.

However, there is another stumbling block, which is on whether, the quorum would be obtained or not this time when some Muslim members are preparing to travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, majority of whom are from Zanzibar. For the CA to make any decision with regard to the new constitution, it requires a quorum of two thirds majority from both sides of the Union, according to Section 26 (2) of the Constitution Review Act Cap 83.

But yesterday, Mr Sitta told the Assembly that his office, in collaboration with that of the Clerk of the Constituent Assembly, would make arrangements that would ensure all MCAs participate during voting.

"The Standing orders are clear on those who may not be in the Assembly during the exercise for different reasons, so during voting we will put in place the modalities to ensure that they exercise their right,'' added Mr Sitta.


Source: The Citizen

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Pr...itta/-/1840392/2448650/-/2mupfuz/-/index.html