Kishongo
JF-Expert Member
- May 4, 2010
- 932
- 64
FOR a country and people used to uninterrupted peace and tranquility, the events in Arusha on Wednesday in which police had to use force to disperse an illegal demonstration staged by a section of members and supporters of the Opposition CHADEMA looked very much alien.
It is sad to note that a number of people, both those involved and innocent passers-by, were injured during the ensuing fracas.
But what is more irritating is the fact that top Chadema leaders decided to go ahead with the demonstration in total defiance of the police order against it.
It was, of course, an unwise move by Chadema. Despite the decision by the police not to issue a permit for the planned demonstration, the opposition political party was still allowed to go ahead with their planned public rally.
The police had probably good reasons not to allow the demonstration but allow the public rally instead. According to a statement, the police intelligence showed that the demonstration could have been misused by some unscrupulous people to cause chaos thus causing a disruption of peace. What happened at the illegal demo was a pointer of the worst things that would have happened had it been permitted.
Conventional wisdom shows that the political party could have made good use of the authorized public rally to convey its message to its members and supporters in a much more peaceful and dignified manner. Police would have been able to ensure maximum security at the single venue.
Only a few weeks ago, several people were injured in a confrontation with the police during the volatile race for Arusha mayor. The conditions were, therefore, not rife to stage a demonstration so after the previous skirmishes that had threatened to cause a disruption of peace in the city.
It is sad to note, according to reports, that a number of people lost their lives during the police operation to quell the violence perpetrated by the riotous demonstrators. Some were badly injured. The dead could have included innocent passers-by or people caught in the crossfire.
Opinion has been given that Chadema decided to go ahead with the banned demonstration, fully aware of its consequences but defied good wisdom with the warped objective of attracting international attention and sympathy!
Tanzania is an avowed peaceful country. Multi-party democracy is very much at play here. Yet political parties should not attempt to tamper with the countrys peace under the guise of advancing their democracy causes.
What Chadema leaders did in Arusha was very shameful. It should never be allowed to happen again.
Source: The DAILY NEWS
It is sad to note that a number of people, both those involved and innocent passers-by, were injured during the ensuing fracas.
But what is more irritating is the fact that top Chadema leaders decided to go ahead with the demonstration in total defiance of the police order against it.
It was, of course, an unwise move by Chadema. Despite the decision by the police not to issue a permit for the planned demonstration, the opposition political party was still allowed to go ahead with their planned public rally.
The police had probably good reasons not to allow the demonstration but allow the public rally instead. According to a statement, the police intelligence showed that the demonstration could have been misused by some unscrupulous people to cause chaos thus causing a disruption of peace. What happened at the illegal demo was a pointer of the worst things that would have happened had it been permitted.
Conventional wisdom shows that the political party could have made good use of the authorized public rally to convey its message to its members and supporters in a much more peaceful and dignified manner. Police would have been able to ensure maximum security at the single venue.
Only a few weeks ago, several people were injured in a confrontation with the police during the volatile race for Arusha mayor. The conditions were, therefore, not rife to stage a demonstration so after the previous skirmishes that had threatened to cause a disruption of peace in the city.
It is sad to note, according to reports, that a number of people lost their lives during the police operation to quell the violence perpetrated by the riotous demonstrators. Some were badly injured. The dead could have included innocent passers-by or people caught in the crossfire.
Opinion has been given that Chadema decided to go ahead with the banned demonstration, fully aware of its consequences but defied good wisdom with the warped objective of attracting international attention and sympathy!
Tanzania is an avowed peaceful country. Multi-party democracy is very much at play here. Yet political parties should not attempt to tamper with the countrys peace under the guise of advancing their democracy causes.
What Chadema leaders did in Arusha was very shameful. It should never be allowed to happen again.
Source: The DAILY NEWS