R.B
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2012
- 6,296
- 2,573
It is common to see small groups of people along streets in cities all over Tanzania discussing national matters of the moment informally as if they were members of National Parliaments. The groups often comprise self made moderators who allow members of the group to give their opinions freely. Arguably, the groups perform debates better than the Tanzania National Parliament of the day.
For example, members of the groups discuss the National Census 2012. Some argue that National Population Censuses in Tanzania are a useless exercise because censuses in the country do not contribute to development even though the government has been conducting national censuses after every ten years since independence in 1961. Other members of the groups emphasize that it is madness to think that National Population Census are useless. They elaborate that it is the government of the day which under performs even when provided with relevant information like population numbers for development. One source indicates that there were 10 million people in Tanzania in 1961, 13 million in 1971, 18million in 1981 and 26,890,000 in 1991. Statisticians recorded 36 million people in 2001 and project a population of 45 million for 2012.
In addition, members of the street groups discuss about the current boundary disputes between Malawi and Tanzania. They analyze four approaches to manage the disputes. Some suggest the military but others propose diplomacy approach. There are members of the groups who suggest use of history and logic while many prefer to apply international laws to resolve the boundary problem concerning Lake Nyasa. Or, is it Lake Malawi?
Members of the street parliaments argue that military action is not a good approach because it is very expensive and destructive. A conflict on boundaries can easily become a civil war. They explain that civil wars usually lead to lasting damaging effects.
The members who support logic argue that it is wiser to allow all communities that surround the Lake to use it equitably. Otherwise, those that are excluded will destroy the lake and its resources in one way or the other.
Those who advocate for use of international law support the arguments on use of logic to resolve the dispute between Tanzania and Malawi. The international law would provide for the boundary between Tanzania and Malawi to run along the shore line of Lake Nyasa.
As a matter of interest, there are members of the groups who refer to the colonial history to resolve the problem. It is this idea of a colonial ruler giving a land mark like Lake Malawi to another ruler thereby shifting boundaries which cause boundary disputes. A similar problem had to be resolved between Kenya and Tanzania regarding ownership of Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Colonial history determined the current boundaries in Africa. So, it is not irrelevant to refer to history as an option to manage the boundary disputes between Tanzania and Malawi concerning Lake Nyasa. But it irritates to recall that the colonial masters were awarding land marks to their colleagues as if the Africans who owned the lands were absent.
Apparently, members of the street parliaments sometimes meet the real Members of Parliaments for their constituents along the streets to discuss development as well as political issues. They meet at popular City Restaurants like "Makaburini" or Grave Yards in Arusha to share roast meat and drinks. Members of Parliament sometimes meet members of the street parliaments when they stop to brush their shoes at public shoe shine points like the one along Goliondoi Road in Arusha.
As a matter of interest, members of the street parliaments discuss how to resolve household issues as well. They explain that a wise man asked a husband and wife to list what each did not like about the other. He then asked the wife and husband to exchange the notes. Members of the group claimed that the wise man managed to resolve the family conflict that way. At least the wife and husband had an opportunity to communicate, albeit in writing.
For example, members of the groups discuss the National Census 2012. Some argue that National Population Censuses in Tanzania are a useless exercise because censuses in the country do not contribute to development even though the government has been conducting national censuses after every ten years since independence in 1961. Other members of the groups emphasize that it is madness to think that National Population Census are useless. They elaborate that it is the government of the day which under performs even when provided with relevant information like population numbers for development. One source indicates that there were 10 million people in Tanzania in 1961, 13 million in 1971, 18million in 1981 and 26,890,000 in 1991. Statisticians recorded 36 million people in 2001 and project a population of 45 million for 2012.
In addition, members of the street groups discuss about the current boundary disputes between Malawi and Tanzania. They analyze four approaches to manage the disputes. Some suggest the military but others propose diplomacy approach. There are members of the groups who suggest use of history and logic while many prefer to apply international laws to resolve the boundary problem concerning Lake Nyasa. Or, is it Lake Malawi?
Members of the street parliaments argue that military action is not a good approach because it is very expensive and destructive. A conflict on boundaries can easily become a civil war. They explain that civil wars usually lead to lasting damaging effects.
The members who support logic argue that it is wiser to allow all communities that surround the Lake to use it equitably. Otherwise, those that are excluded will destroy the lake and its resources in one way or the other.
Those who advocate for use of international law support the arguments on use of logic to resolve the dispute between Tanzania and Malawi. The international law would provide for the boundary between Tanzania and Malawi to run along the shore line of Lake Nyasa.
As a matter of interest, there are members of the groups who refer to the colonial history to resolve the problem. It is this idea of a colonial ruler giving a land mark like Lake Malawi to another ruler thereby shifting boundaries which cause boundary disputes. A similar problem had to be resolved between Kenya and Tanzania regarding ownership of Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Colonial history determined the current boundaries in Africa. So, it is not irrelevant to refer to history as an option to manage the boundary disputes between Tanzania and Malawi concerning Lake Nyasa. But it irritates to recall that the colonial masters were awarding land marks to their colleagues as if the Africans who owned the lands were absent.
Apparently, members of the street parliaments sometimes meet the real Members of Parliaments for their constituents along the streets to discuss development as well as political issues. They meet at popular City Restaurants like "Makaburini" or Grave Yards in Arusha to share roast meat and drinks. Members of Parliament sometimes meet members of the street parliaments when they stop to brush their shoes at public shoe shine points like the one along Goliondoi Road in Arusha.
As a matter of interest, members of the street parliaments discuss how to resolve household issues as well. They explain that a wise man asked a husband and wife to list what each did not like about the other. He then asked the wife and husband to exchange the notes. Members of the group claimed that the wise man managed to resolve the family conflict that way. At least the wife and husband had an opportunity to communicate, albeit in writing.
