“A constitution is a sensitive instrument in a democratic nation and therefore it should be implemented fully and diligently. We should not demand a new constitution today and have it today,” Mr Mwinyi said in an interview with reporters at his residence in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Mr Mwinyi said constitution should not be likened with a fiction book about beautiful stories. It is a significant document that should be implemented diligently in order to put the country on a path of democracy, peace, security and growth.
He further explained that if a need to have a new constitution arises, serious preparations should be made to identify key areas with shortfalls and open up a nation-wide debate that will gather views of people from of all walks of life.
The retired president noted that people should address emerging bottlenecks and objectives of having a new constitution. It should not address specific problems and interests of a small group of people.
“Tanzanians should know their ultimate goals which they want to achieve and not otherwise,” he insisted.
Former president Mr Benjamin Mkapa was recently quoted supporting the idea of having a new constitution, but cautioning the process should be done thoroughly in order to identify and address all areas with shortfalls.
A number of prominent Tanzanians have recently called for an overhaul of the Constitution to bring it in line with the current challenges and developments in the country.
While the Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani has urged the government to consider the issue as a fundamental one for the entire nation, Justice Amir Manento who is the chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG), said the debate to have or not to have a new constitution should not be suppressed but encouraged so that people reach a common ground for the benefit of the nation.
By: SEBASTIAN MRINDOKO (Tanzania daily news)
No comments:
Post a Comment