JF Summary
Senior Member
- Jul 3, 2015
- 163
- 109
Catholic Church condemns the killing of civilians on October 29. Demands accountability for security agency leaders, an independent investigation, and a New Constitution
The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has issued its reflection on the events that occurred during the October 29 General Election, condemning the killings, abductions, injuries, and disappearances of people. They sent condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the injured to recover, emphasizing that life is a sacred gift and the killings that occurred are a great evil and an abomination to God.
In their reflection, the Bishops stated that not all protests are crimes; the key is that they must be peaceful protests, as protesting is a constitutional right. They expressed their sorrow at seeing all the protestors who came out on election day being placed under the umbrella of criminality.
Furthermore, TEC stated that the violence stemmed from a lack of security, the suppression of democracy, and the failure of some pillars of the state to address citizens' grievances. They also criticized the excessive use of force and the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, denying the injured the right to healthcare, and families being denied the bodies of their loved ones to perform burial rites.
TEC has recommended several steps to heal the Nation, including leaders admitting their mistakes, taking responsibility, and being held accountable by the authorities who appointed them for all those who used excessive force, and establishing an independent investigation led by an internal and external team to determine the truth of what happened. They also called on the Government to be prepared to receive the report and act on it.
TEC has called on the Government to release all those who were deceitfully arrested before and after the election, without any conditions, and to initiate the process for a New Constitution based on principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law.
The Bishops urged leaders to live with integrity and transparency and to listen to citizens' voices to avoid further division. They have asked Tanzanians to continue praying for peace, justice, and the healing of the Nation, insisting that bullets cannot silence the people and that wisdom is the way to build a new beginning for the country.
Public opinion: Many have praised and supported TEC's arguments, comparing them to BAKWATA's statement, which directly blamed the citizens who allegedly started the violence as the cause of the killings carried out by security forces.
Others have continued to insist that without accountability, there is no moving forward, as that would mean the killers are left to continue finishing off the citizens.
Council of Imams condemns the killing of citizens during the General Election, and refuses to congratulate the election that took place
The Council of Imams (Shura ya Maimamu) in Tanzania has strongly condemned the deaths, injuries, and destruction of property that occurred during the election, saying their hearts are filled with sorrow. However, they still have hope for the return of justice and human dignity.
Presenting their document to the media on November 15, the Secretary-General of the Council of Imams, Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, said they advise Religious Leaders, Retired Government Leaders, and Human Rights Institutions to request a meeting between the CCM Government and its Opposition to discuss the Nation's Future.
Sheikh Ponda stated that they cannot congratulate the election that took place because the Council's observers noted significant violations of election procedures and human rights, similar to the reports from SADC, AU, and EU, including the suppression of voters' rights and the killing of innocent civilians.
He also emphasized that killing an innocent person is a great sin in all religions, and criticized BAKWATA for congratulating the election, claiming it is unknown what criteria they used.
Public opinion: The majority of citizens have praised the Council of Imams' document for standing on the truth and justice, while criticizing BAKWATA's statement, saying it exists to defend the Government and is not a true representative of Muslims.
Some have disagreed with the document, saying Sheikh Ponda is part of the problem for agreeing to enter the election (he ran for MP in Temeke) with his ACT-Wazalendo party, even after being warned and knowing full well what the results would be.
Prime Minister makes a surprise visit to Dodoma Referral Hospital, gives directives
The new Prime Minister of Tanzania, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, made a surprise visit to the Dodoma Referral Hospital on November 15, directing all hospitals in the country to serve pregnant women promptly to save the lives of mothers and children.
He instructed the Ministry of Health, the Medical Stores Department (MSD), and all hospitals in the country to ensure medicines are available at all times and to stop directing citizens to buy medicine outside. He also gave instructions for emergency hygiene kits to be available in maternity wards and for the correct use of payment systems.
Public opinion: Many have seen the visit as a joke and said it is a performance to persuade citizens that they are working, so they will abandon the protests, adding that it cannot be a surprise visit when a large entourage accompanied him to the hospital.
Others have disagreed with the citizens who gave their opinions to the Prime Minister that 'they received good service at the hospital,' saying they gave those opinions to save their own lives, as saying otherwise might have led to their disappearance. They also noted that services at government hospitals are well known for their poor quality, so the people's responses do not seem genuine.
Furthermore, others have said that instead of making proclamations at the hospital, he should ensure policies are created to guarantee that these services are provided with quality; otherwise, they will remain just proclamations without implementation.
CCM National Parents' Wing Chairman: President Samia, giving Amnesty is not a weakness
The National Chairman of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Parents' Wing, Fadhil Maganya, said the violence that occurred on October 29 has never been witnessed in the country. The amnesty granted by President Samia to some of the youth who were following the crowd is not a sign of weakness but a step toward healing the Nation's pain. He said President Samia could have done anything, but as a leader, parent, guardian, and chief comforter, she decided to grant amnesty instead.
Speaking today, November 15, in Dodoma, Maganya said this step aims to return Tanzania to unity and solidarity after the election and called on families, leaders, and the community to guide the youth to recognize the value of peace and avoid actions that could endanger the country's security.
Public opinion: Many have expressed anger over the statement, questioning which crime the President granted amnesty for. Also, what do they mean by saying citizens protested by "following the crowd"; do they mean they don't understand that the election laws were oppressive, and they don't see the evils being committed by CCM and its Government?
Furthermore, others were surprised by the Chairman's statement, in which he said the President could have done "anything." Does that mean more killings and other acts of brutality? They added that citizens are not stupid, they will not stay silent, and that the second phase of protests is coming to reject this Government.
The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has issued its reflection on the events that occurred during the October 29 General Election, condemning the killings, abductions, injuries, and disappearances of people. They sent condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the injured to recover, emphasizing that life is a sacred gift and the killings that occurred are a great evil and an abomination to God.
In their reflection, the Bishops stated that not all protests are crimes; the key is that they must be peaceful protests, as protesting is a constitutional right. They expressed their sorrow at seeing all the protestors who came out on election day being placed under the umbrella of criminality.
Furthermore, TEC stated that the violence stemmed from a lack of security, the suppression of democracy, and the failure of some pillars of the state to address citizens' grievances. They also criticized the excessive use of force and the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, denying the injured the right to healthcare, and families being denied the bodies of their loved ones to perform burial rites.
TEC has recommended several steps to heal the Nation, including leaders admitting their mistakes, taking responsibility, and being held accountable by the authorities who appointed them for all those who used excessive force, and establishing an independent investigation led by an internal and external team to determine the truth of what happened. They also called on the Government to be prepared to receive the report and act on it.
TEC has called on the Government to release all those who were deceitfully arrested before and after the election, without any conditions, and to initiate the process for a New Constitution based on principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law.
The Bishops urged leaders to live with integrity and transparency and to listen to citizens' voices to avoid further division. They have asked Tanzanians to continue praying for peace, justice, and the healing of the Nation, insisting that bullets cannot silence the people and that wisdom is the way to build a new beginning for the country.
Public opinion: Many have praised and supported TEC's arguments, comparing them to BAKWATA's statement, which directly blamed the citizens who allegedly started the violence as the cause of the killings carried out by security forces.
Others have continued to insist that without accountability, there is no moving forward, as that would mean the killers are left to continue finishing off the citizens.
Council of Imams condemns the killing of citizens during the General Election, and refuses to congratulate the election that took place
The Council of Imams (Shura ya Maimamu) in Tanzania has strongly condemned the deaths, injuries, and destruction of property that occurred during the election, saying their hearts are filled with sorrow. However, they still have hope for the return of justice and human dignity.
Presenting their document to the media on November 15, the Secretary-General of the Council of Imams, Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, said they advise Religious Leaders, Retired Government Leaders, and Human Rights Institutions to request a meeting between the CCM Government and its Opposition to discuss the Nation's Future.
Sheikh Ponda stated that they cannot congratulate the election that took place because the Council's observers noted significant violations of election procedures and human rights, similar to the reports from SADC, AU, and EU, including the suppression of voters' rights and the killing of innocent civilians.
He also emphasized that killing an innocent person is a great sin in all religions, and criticized BAKWATA for congratulating the election, claiming it is unknown what criteria they used.
Public opinion: The majority of citizens have praised the Council of Imams' document for standing on the truth and justice, while criticizing BAKWATA's statement, saying it exists to defend the Government and is not a true representative of Muslims.
Some have disagreed with the document, saying Sheikh Ponda is part of the problem for agreeing to enter the election (he ran for MP in Temeke) with his ACT-Wazalendo party, even after being warned and knowing full well what the results would be.
Prime Minister makes a surprise visit to Dodoma Referral Hospital, gives directives
The new Prime Minister of Tanzania, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, made a surprise visit to the Dodoma Referral Hospital on November 15, directing all hospitals in the country to serve pregnant women promptly to save the lives of mothers and children.
He instructed the Ministry of Health, the Medical Stores Department (MSD), and all hospitals in the country to ensure medicines are available at all times and to stop directing citizens to buy medicine outside. He also gave instructions for emergency hygiene kits to be available in maternity wards and for the correct use of payment systems.
Public opinion: Many have seen the visit as a joke and said it is a performance to persuade citizens that they are working, so they will abandon the protests, adding that it cannot be a surprise visit when a large entourage accompanied him to the hospital.
Others have disagreed with the citizens who gave their opinions to the Prime Minister that 'they received good service at the hospital,' saying they gave those opinions to save their own lives, as saying otherwise might have led to their disappearance. They also noted that services at government hospitals are well known for their poor quality, so the people's responses do not seem genuine.
Furthermore, others have said that instead of making proclamations at the hospital, he should ensure policies are created to guarantee that these services are provided with quality; otherwise, they will remain just proclamations without implementation.
CCM National Parents' Wing Chairman: President Samia, giving Amnesty is not a weakness
The National Chairman of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Parents' Wing, Fadhil Maganya, said the violence that occurred on October 29 has never been witnessed in the country. The amnesty granted by President Samia to some of the youth who were following the crowd is not a sign of weakness but a step toward healing the Nation's pain. He said President Samia could have done anything, but as a leader, parent, guardian, and chief comforter, she decided to grant amnesty instead.
Speaking today, November 15, in Dodoma, Maganya said this step aims to return Tanzania to unity and solidarity after the election and called on families, leaders, and the community to guide the youth to recognize the value of peace and avoid actions that could endanger the country's security.
Public opinion: Many have expressed anger over the statement, questioning which crime the President granted amnesty for. Also, what do they mean by saying citizens protested by "following the crowd"; do they mean they don't understand that the election laws were oppressive, and they don't see the evils being committed by CCM and its Government?
Furthermore, others were surprised by the Chairman's statement, in which he said the President could have done "anything." Does that mean more killings and other acts of brutality? They added that citizens are not stupid, they will not stay silent, and that the second phase of protests is coming to reject this Government.
