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Last Updated:22.02.2010

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Membe: No to nosy diplomats

The Government warned foreign diplomats against supporting or forging secret alliance with opposition political parties intended to oust the ruling party ahead of the General Elections next year.

 

JK changes tack in dealing with problems

President Jakaya Kikwete has warned local government officials against using street and village leaders for selfish ends, saying the government was making it a priority to listen to people's grievances first hand.

 

JK changes tack in dealing with problems President Jakaya Kikwete has warned local government officials against using street and village leaders for selfish ends, saying the government was making it a priority to listen to people’s grievances first hand. The president, who is here a four-day official visit following a similar one in Iringa Region, issued the warning when addressing a rally at Kikondo village . The warning came shortly after interrupting a speech by the Kikondo village chairman, who was identified only as Henrick. President Kikwete told the well-attended rally that he had just discovered that the official was reading out a statement prepared for him by district officials, which he described as improper. “You (meaning district officials) should forthwith stop this habit of preparing reports for the village leaders. Throughout my visits, I want to hear the local people themselves telling me about the problems they are grappling with,” he ordered. He said the habit was improper and unacceptable because it sidelined the people he was out to meet, effectively denying them the opportunity of “telling him about the problems they are actually facing and which are the ones I would like to hear about”. The president said when local government authorities prepare reports to be presented to him during his regional tours, “they in fact use them to request for funds for themselves and not for use in solving the people’s problems”. He then asked the gathering what problems were endemic or especially serious in the area, upon which they near-unanimously shouted: “Water! Water! Water!” The president instantly turned to district engineer Bahati Haule, directing him to work around the clock and ensure that the problem was solved as soon as practicable. He also instructed the engineer to prepare an implementation report for submission to the State House. The president also contributed 2m/- to help in the construction of a dispensary for the village. Membe: No to nosy diplomats The Government warned foreign diplomats against supporting or forging secret alliance with opposition political parties intended to oust the ruling party ahead of the General Elections next year. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe told the National Assembly in Dodoma that the government will not hesitate to declare such diplomats persona non grata. He said the warning was directed at any accredited foreign diplomat confirmed to be in alliance with opposition political parties with the intention to sabotage the ruling CCM. The minister said while there was nothing wrong with foreign diplomats giving advice to political parties, any dealings discovered to have some ill motives would not be tolerated. Membe was responding to a basic question from Kheri Khatib Ameir (Matembwe, CCM) who alleged that after every five years, when election campaign period approached, some envoys formed unusual and questionable alliances with the opposition parties against the ruling party. The legislator had expressed fears that such alliances contravened international laws and jeopardized freedom and security of the country. “Diplomatic functions are guided by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which outlines procedures, rights, immunities, entitlements and responsibilities of diplomats and other officials accredited in host countries, Membe said. He added: They are therefore obliged to abide by the rules of the land, short of which disciplinary measures will be taken against them, irrespective of the volume of economic support received from their countries of origin.” The minister said there was no legitimacy for diplomatic missions to collaborate with the opposition to oust the ruling party as that would be interfering in the internal affairs of the host country and gross violation of protocol and international laws. “Section 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 allows host government to take such measures without being obliged to give explanation on repatriation of an envoy or a diplomatic official. The best way to address the problem is to work hard to strengthen the economy,” Membe said. Clarifying on the proposed solution to the threat, Membe said some of the donor countries might assume control over local politics believing the financial, technical or any other form of support extended to a host nation would allow them to exercise hegemony through opposition political parties. In August this year Zanzibar government issued a statement that the place was safe and security was guaranteed to both visitors and local residents. The statement was in response to security alert previously issued by the US following assessment of the ongoing registration of voters in the permanent register in Pemba, the exercise reported to have been marked by sporadic incidents of violence prompting the security warning. The issue was given different interpretations as one Zanzibar minister of State described it as interference in the internal affairs of Zanzibar, coupled with painting the wrong picture that the ruling party was instigating the violence. In August this year, the European Union, Canada, Japan, Norway and the US expressed concern over what they referred to as “flawed elements” in the voter registration process ready for the General Election next year in Zanzibar, calling for action to redress the situation. Their diplomatic missions in Tanzania said in a joint press statement that it was important for both the Union and Zanzibar governments to ensure that the people exercised their right to vote in the 2010 elections. The EU heads of mission party to the statement are Belgium, Denmark, European Commission Delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Membe has repeatedly deplored accusations by foreign diplomatic missions over the Tanzanian government’s handling of various issues, including grand corruption. During a meeting with media editors a few months ago and even at the last meeting of the National Assembly held in Dodoma this year, he warned members of diplomatic missions against flouting the Vienna Convention by voicing their discontent in public.

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