APRM calls for consensus in constitution making in Tanzania

By Special Correspondent, 

Hassan Abbas

The African Union Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has exhorted members of  the Tanzania Special Constituent Assembly  to use consensus in the on-going constitution deliberations.

The call was issued today in Dar es Salaam by the APRM Tanzania chapter Executive Secretary Ms Rehema Twalib when addressing the press on commemorating the APRM Day which is marked every 9^th March among all APRM member states in Africa.

Ms Twalib congratulated President Jakaya Kikwete for listening to the people and granting their wishes, recalling that the quest for the new constitution was long overdue and those governance stakeholders, among other places, raised the matter in the initial APRM reviews in 2009.

The Executive Secretary, however, noted with concern some misgivings in the on-going Constituent Assembly in Dodoma and urged the MPs to be reminded that the new constitution is a much awaited dream-come true for many Tanzanians.

“APRM Tanzania noted that the MPs themselves have decided to resort to consensus on crucial issues of antagonism to move out from stalemate. This is the best way we can move ahead at enact the much awaited new constitution,” she said.

Ms Rehema said that in the 11 years since the APRM was incepted as the sole Continental wide governance assessment significant strides have been achieved locally and continental wise.

“The APRM has bridged the gap between governments and their people. Through participation and engagement, African governments have been able to engage their citizenry and forge common alliance for the transformation of the individual members as well as the Continent,” she said.

Speaking about the APRM process in Tanzania she noted that the country has implemented its contractual obligations well and within standards and required objectivity and that the finalized Country Review Report is set to be launched and made public soon.