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Last Updated:31.08.2010

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CCM accuses rival party of dirty tricks

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) yesterday castigated Chama cha Denmokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) for allegedly using abusive language during the launch of its presidential campaigns at Jangwani grounds on Saturday.

But the CCM campaign manager, Mr Abulrahman Kinana, told a news conference yesterday that the party was leaving the matter on the hands of the National electoral Commission (NEC) for further actions.

However, NEC director of elections, Mr Rajab Kiravu, told this paper that the Commission would not act until it get a petition from another party.

“We cannot take any action because NEC is not attending ant rally. How can we act on our own while we have no idea what transpired during the rally?” asked Mr Kiravu.

Mr Kiravu advised CCM to lodge a complaint if they want NEC to react.

Mr Kinana blamed Chadema leaders for blatantly attacking the CCM presidential candidate, Mr Jakaya Kikwete.

“We are have been upset by the way Chadema leaders insulted our candidate. It should be understood that CCM has not been taken to court (in relation to EPA cases) and it has no power to decide on those cases,” said Mr Kinana adding those involved in the cases would be dealt with in accordance with legal requirements.

He was reacting to statement by Chadema leaders that a number of CCM leaders have been taken to court in connection with grand corruption cases.

Mr Kinana called political parties to adhere to the code of conduct in which all parties agreed to adhere to the use of civilised language and not to incite people.

“Winning is the vital thing to every political party but let's seek victory in a civilised manner such that after the election we remain a peaceful country. I people do not want to listen to your policies, don't retort to insulting other people, you will be putting the country in a collision path,” he said.

He singled out a statement by Mr Mabere Marando who said he has tangible evidence on thefts of billions of shillings from EPA account of the Bank of Tanzania saying as a lawyer he (Mr Marando) was not supposed to publicly discuss the cases that are still in the courts.

Mr Kinana also criticised Chadema presidential candidate Dr Willibrod Slaa argument that CCM has failed in agriculture, education and health.

He called those saying they will provide free education to come out with evidence on how they were going to implement that.

India restates role in piracy war

India has committed itself to marine security especially in tackling against piracy around the world.

The assurance was given in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night by Rear Admiral R K Pattanaik, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, one of two of India's fleets which visit Tanzania.

“We share equal concern for maritime security, which includes illegal fishing, poaching and above all, piracy,” said Mr Pattanaik when addressing journalists in one of the four warships which have docked at the Dar es Salaam port.

He noted that India has taken a lead role in anti-piracy operations, not only on the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Eden, but also in the southern Indian Ocean.

There are currently 26 navies operating in the Gulf of Eden, with the Indian Navy being one of them. “From the beginning, we have taken a proactive and very aggressive action against the pirates, and we are therefore cooperating with the international community to ensure that piracy does not take place,” said Rear Admiral Pattanaik. He added that while they are not looking for pirates, their aim is protect ships that are going to and from the Gulf of Eden. Tanzania is one of countries which have been affected by the piracy in the Gulf of Eden. In February, a Tanzania ship was saved by a US Navy warship from being attacked by the pirates when it was plying Somali waters. Some eight pirates were apprehended during the operation though there was no report afterwards on what happened top them. A US warship, USS Farragut, dispatched an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to save MV Barakaale 1 after it raised a distress call saying it was under attack from a gang on a skiff, said a statement by the US embassy in dare s Salaam. More than 1,400 Indian Navy officers and sailors aboard four warships are in Dar es salaam. They arrived on Saturday, as part of a goodwill visit to Tanzania. The visit seeks to highlight India's peaceful presence and solidarity with the countries of the Indian Ocean region and to strengthen the existing bonds between India and Tanzania. “We, the ship officers and men, carry the goodwill of the people of India, we carry our best wishes,” said Rear Admiral Pattanaik. Speaking at a press conference aboard a fast combat logistic ship, INS Aditya, Mr Pattanaik said that the friendship between Tanzania and India is not decades nor centuries old, it is millennia old. “Our people have been meeting each other for thousands of years, and our visit this time will further strengthen our relationship and friendship,” said Mr Pattanaik. “Land borders divide but sea borders join,” he noted adding that while Tanzania and India were far apart, the two nations are still neighbours at sea. The four Indian warships, three of which are Indian designed and built, INS Mysore, INS Tabar, INS Ganga and INS Aditya, are part of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, which has been actively involved in several humanitarian relief and rescue operations around the world. The ships arrived in Dar es Salaam from Port Victoria in Seychelles and Mombasa, Kenya. Following Dar es Salaam, they will continue to Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius before getting back to Indian waters. During their three-day visit in Dar es Salaam, the warships and its crew would be engaged extensively with the Tanzanian Navy. This includes participating in a number of professional and social programs, such as visiting a local school, playing friendly cricket and football matches with Tanzanian counterparts, as well as engaging in professional training programs with the Tanzanian Navy. “We are hoping to have some exercises with the Tanzanian naval ships if possible, and we are examining the possibility of embarking some Tanzanian Navy officers on board our ships when we go from here to Mozambique,” said Rear Admiral R.K. Pattanaik. As maritime nations, the Tanzanian coast and west coast of India have long been linked by voyages of traders and workers across the Indian Ocean. These ties are further strengthened by the various programs present between the two countries. For instance, numerous Tanzania Navy officers, along with nearly 5,000 Tanzanians in other fields, are currently studying and training in India. The ships, open to all visitors, are expected to leave Dar es Salaam for Mozambique tomorrow.

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