DAR ES SALAAM: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi has stressed that the envisioned new Constitution should be built on consensus among all stakeholders, centred on people’s lives, human dignity, protect citizens’ rights and support national development. Dr Nchimbi made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday while opening the 15th General Meeting of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC). He called on Tanzanians across the political divide, including members of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), opposition parties, civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders, to support the constitutional reform process.
“A new Constitution is for the benefit of your children, grandchildren and future generations. It is for the benefit of our country,” he said. The Vice-President said the new Constitution should help build a Tanzania where every citizen feels proud of their nationality, enjoys peace and security and contributes to national development regardless of political ideology, religion or ethnicity.
ALSO READ: CCM stands firm on reconciliation accord He said President Samia Suluhu Hassan had demonstrated political commitment towards ensuring the country obtains a new Constitution, describing the leadership support as crucial to the process. Dr Nchimbi recalled that while serving as Secretary-General of CCM-the committee formed to prepare the party’s election manifesto collected views from across the country and found that many Tanzanians wanted a new Constitution. He said he later presented the matter to the then CCM Chairperson, who was also the party’s presidential candidate, seeking her commitment to include the issue in the manifesto.
“She told me that the Commission on Criminal Justice that I established had also recommended that Tanzanians want a new Constitution and she promised to implement it. She said she could not abandon that promise,” Dr Nchimbi said. He said both the Criminal Justice Commission and the Chande Commission had recommended that the country should have a new Constitution before the 2029 local government elections and the 2030 General Election.
Dr Nchimbi urged Tanzanians to use the current opportunity to advance the process. He noted that President Samia’s commitment had created an important opportunity. Dr Nchimbi further commended THRDC for its contribution to legal aid, public education and stakeholder …
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