Richard
Platinum Member
- Oct 23, 2006
- 16,890
- 26,440
Today, we heard from AFP , which is the one of the respected and reputable news agency in the world that, according to its reliable sources in Tanzania, there are mass graves in Mabwepande and Kondo forests in Kinondoni district in which thousands of human remains are buried there by state machinery.
According the sources, the bodies of deceased were collected from mortuaries in different hospitals and locations and were taken to the area for mass burials.
During and after five days of the election on 29 October the internet was shut down in order for the government forces to carry out massacre of young people around the country the actions which have never been witnessed in the country renowned for peace and friendly relationship with its neighbours and other people around the world.
But as the news of continuing to come out of death toll and many Tanzanians going around looking for their relatives and loved ones whom have either disappeared or kept in police custody around the country, the president elect Samia Suluhu Hassan is busy in Dodoma forming her new government and as of today she has unleashed her first person who will supervise her government activities in the National Parliament in the name of Mwigulu Nchemba.
The 50 years old economist, is one of the most feared ministers from the fifth phase government of the late John Magufuli when he was the minister for home affairs and its was in that government there was similar situations whereby people were killed or disappeared without trace including Mr Ben Saanane who questioned Mr Magufuli Phd credentials.
Now, after forming her full functional government the president elect Samia Suluhu Hassan will be inaugurated later this month to start her sixth term in office. Without doubt there is a shortlist of African leaders, foreign dignitaries and other guests probably the same ones who attended when she was sworn in a private ceremony which is the first one of its kind to be held in Tanzania since independence when the late Julius Nyerere was handed over the country by Sir Richard Turnbull on December 9, 1961.
But in particular I urge the African leaders especially from Uganda and Rwanda to refrain from attending the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan as their attendance will seem to show their recognition Tanzania has fair and credible election in contrary to report from AU and SADC the legitimate organisations which came out to say the elections had many flaws, discrepancies and were not credible.
Normally the leaders attend inaugurations in showing of three things legitimacy, that their attendance signals recognition of the electoral process and support for peaceful transition of power. This has not happened in Tanzania as the opposition were swept aside and leader of opposition until today is in court fighting treason charges which is without a fabricated one and is politically motivated.
Diplomatic ties is another reason the leaders attend inauguration as a sign of strengthening bilateral relations and show of respect to their inaugural of the person who is today standing accused of ordering murder of Tanzanian citizens.
Domestic stability in the country will be highlighted when opposition leaders are part of the inauguration process by showing their support and by attending is demonstrate commitment to democratic norms, even if they disagree with the winner. But as the election was not fair and credible the leaders should think again against attending the inauguration.
My argument for urging the leaders not to attend the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan is based on three areas;
First, that there were protests which were the result of the government insistence to continue with the elections process. As this election was widely seen as illegitimate, absence can be a powerful statement from the leaders that they recognise the concern.
Secondly, this will enable them avoiding endorsement of the person who is still accused of ordering the murder of her own people during the election on 29 October. Also it can be seen as endorsing results that the large parts of the population and the country are rejecting.
Third is risking the security and political risk to the entire region of East and Central Africa. The attendance could be dangerous of could cost politically for for many leaders themselves as the electorate in their countries could turn against them.
The inaugurations are more than ceremonies - they are signals. The leaders to chose to attend or not to attend it sends message to citizens and the world. If leaders decline the invitation to attend will delegitimise the government even if the inauguration is carried on and this will still deepen the divisions within organisations such as African Union and SADC.
This is definitely the dilemma in which the African leaders can face if they decide to attend as they will be seen as respecting institutions, but they risk legitimising flawed processes but if they boycott they will send strong signal of protest but this risks political isolation or being labelled dictators.
It is the duty of our African leaders to stop this pattern in order to start awakening those leaders who think of clinging to power for the sake of themselves. This is the time to have the decision Matrix in which if most factors lean toward boycott, absence is justified and if most lean toward unity, attendance is strategic.
For the world leaders this is the opportunity to show support for Tanzanians for not attending the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan. The EU has already given it statement regarding the flawed elections and aware of what is going on with Mr Tundu Lissu with his treason case, thousands of young people who are held unlawfully in various prisons and police cells in the country as well as former ambassador to Malawi and Cuba Mr Humphrey Polepole who is believed to be alive according to his brother recent statement in oscial media.
It will also be a precise decision to stop some bilateral agreements until the government of Tanzania recognise the murders which have been committed by its security forces around the country. The development partners also have to take responsibility to ensure the government of Tanzania is held accountable of it’s actions towards its citizens.
The World leaders surely recognise that the same as it happen in their developed countries that principles of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights should be applied and echoed the same to the African governments and aftermath of 29 October should be the base for setting up a new platform for scrutiny and hindsight for human right watch, International Criminal Court, United Nations and Amnesty International be allowed full access in the country in the umbrella of international law to assist with investigation on claims of massacre.
The atrocities which have happened in the country can not be allowed to be buried with the silence. To continue the silence is outrageous and unconceivable.
According the sources, the bodies of deceased were collected from mortuaries in different hospitals and locations and were taken to the area for mass burials.
During and after five days of the election on 29 October the internet was shut down in order for the government forces to carry out massacre of young people around the country the actions which have never been witnessed in the country renowned for peace and friendly relationship with its neighbours and other people around the world.
But as the news of continuing to come out of death toll and many Tanzanians going around looking for their relatives and loved ones whom have either disappeared or kept in police custody around the country, the president elect Samia Suluhu Hassan is busy in Dodoma forming her new government and as of today she has unleashed her first person who will supervise her government activities in the National Parliament in the name of Mwigulu Nchemba.
The 50 years old economist, is one of the most feared ministers from the fifth phase government of the late John Magufuli when he was the minister for home affairs and its was in that government there was similar situations whereby people were killed or disappeared without trace including Mr Ben Saanane who questioned Mr Magufuli Phd credentials.
Now, after forming her full functional government the president elect Samia Suluhu Hassan will be inaugurated later this month to start her sixth term in office. Without doubt there is a shortlist of African leaders, foreign dignitaries and other guests probably the same ones who attended when she was sworn in a private ceremony which is the first one of its kind to be held in Tanzania since independence when the late Julius Nyerere was handed over the country by Sir Richard Turnbull on December 9, 1961.
But in particular I urge the African leaders especially from Uganda and Rwanda to refrain from attending the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan as their attendance will seem to show their recognition Tanzania has fair and credible election in contrary to report from AU and SADC the legitimate organisations which came out to say the elections had many flaws, discrepancies and were not credible.
Normally the leaders attend inaugurations in showing of three things legitimacy, that their attendance signals recognition of the electoral process and support for peaceful transition of power. This has not happened in Tanzania as the opposition were swept aside and leader of opposition until today is in court fighting treason charges which is without a fabricated one and is politically motivated.
Diplomatic ties is another reason the leaders attend inauguration as a sign of strengthening bilateral relations and show of respect to their inaugural of the person who is today standing accused of ordering murder of Tanzanian citizens.
Domestic stability in the country will be highlighted when opposition leaders are part of the inauguration process by showing their support and by attending is demonstrate commitment to democratic norms, even if they disagree with the winner. But as the election was not fair and credible the leaders should think again against attending the inauguration.
My argument for urging the leaders not to attend the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan is based on three areas;
First, that there were protests which were the result of the government insistence to continue with the elections process. As this election was widely seen as illegitimate, absence can be a powerful statement from the leaders that they recognise the concern.
Secondly, this will enable them avoiding endorsement of the person who is still accused of ordering the murder of her own people during the election on 29 October. Also it can be seen as endorsing results that the large parts of the population and the country are rejecting.
Third is risking the security and political risk to the entire region of East and Central Africa. The attendance could be dangerous of could cost politically for for many leaders themselves as the electorate in their countries could turn against them.
The inaugurations are more than ceremonies - they are signals. The leaders to chose to attend or not to attend it sends message to citizens and the world. If leaders decline the invitation to attend will delegitimise the government even if the inauguration is carried on and this will still deepen the divisions within organisations such as African Union and SADC.
This is definitely the dilemma in which the African leaders can face if they decide to attend as they will be seen as respecting institutions, but they risk legitimising flawed processes but if they boycott they will send strong signal of protest but this risks political isolation or being labelled dictators.
It is the duty of our African leaders to stop this pattern in order to start awakening those leaders who think of clinging to power for the sake of themselves. This is the time to have the decision Matrix in which if most factors lean toward boycott, absence is justified and if most lean toward unity, attendance is strategic.
For the world leaders this is the opportunity to show support for Tanzanians for not attending the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan. The EU has already given it statement regarding the flawed elections and aware of what is going on with Mr Tundu Lissu with his treason case, thousands of young people who are held unlawfully in various prisons and police cells in the country as well as former ambassador to Malawi and Cuba Mr Humphrey Polepole who is believed to be alive according to his brother recent statement in oscial media.
It will also be a precise decision to stop some bilateral agreements until the government of Tanzania recognise the murders which have been committed by its security forces around the country. The development partners also have to take responsibility to ensure the government of Tanzania is held accountable of it’s actions towards its citizens.
The World leaders surely recognise that the same as it happen in their developed countries that principles of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights should be applied and echoed the same to the African governments and aftermath of 29 October should be the base for setting up a new platform for scrutiny and hindsight for human right watch, International Criminal Court, United Nations and Amnesty International be allowed full access in the country in the umbrella of international law to assist with investigation on claims of massacre.
The atrocities which have happened in the country can not be allowed to be buried with the silence. To continue the silence is outrageous and unconceivable.