The Embassy has noted with concern unsubstantiated accusations made by a Tanzanian Member of Parliament Hon. Tundu Lissu, during an interview on DW News Africa aired on 28th January, 2019.
While requesting an opportunity to appear on the same program in the near future to reply to some of the one-sided allegations, the Embassy wishes to put the record straight on the following matters raised by the MP:
Attack on His Life and On-going Accusations
It is regrettable that the Hon. Tundu Lissu, Member of Parliament , who is still on treatment, would embark on a tour abroad to propagate such serious allegations against his own country. The people of Tanzania and indeed his constituents would have expected him, if now recovered and able to travel, to go back home and continue his representative and other public duties.
Nevertheless, it is well acknowledged that the attack on MP Tundu Lissu by unknown gunmen near his residence in the country’s political capital of Dodoma on 17th September, 2017, was very unfortunate. Such events are rare in peaceful Tanzania but may happen in any country. It was on the same fateful day, in the city of Dar es Salaam, that a retired highranking army officer was also attacked by unknown gunmen and sustained serious injuries too.
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania issued a statement to condemn the senseless acts and ordered a thorough investigation immediately. At different times the President sent the Vice-President, a former President and other senior government leaders to visit the Hon. Lissu in hospital, some in Dodoma, Nairobi and Brussels. It is ill-advised that the MP would now turn these well-meaning gestures of the President into yet unwarranted attacks.
The wish of the law enforcement agencies is to have an audience with the Hon. Member of Parliament in order for him to recollect some of the important events concerning the matter. Investigation started immediately after the incident and his primary account is crucial for effective investigation that may lead to successful prosecution.
Until now, law enforcers have not secured the co-operation of the Member of Parliament and his driver to give important insights into the unfortunate circumstances of the day.
Investigators in Tanzania are still keen and waiting for the Hon. Lissu and his driver, the two key eyewitnesses, to give their account of the events preceding the attack.
On the Leader of the Opposition being in Prison
The leader of the opposition, Hon. Freeman Mbowe, has not been convicted to serve a prison sentence. The granting or revocation of bail is a judicial process regulated by the Criminal Procedure Act. The Resident Magistrate’s court in Dar es Salaam revoked his bail after he had breached bail conditions by being absent in court without justified cause. After series of appeals against the decision, the matter is still pending in court, awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania.
The Embassy wishes to affirm that Tanzania will continue to be a stable democratic country. Since independence to-date, the country has actively upheld the rule of law, enhanced democratic principles and human rights, by among others, acceding to regional and international human rights instruments.
Since 1992, the country has remained one of the few countries in Africa that have continued to enjoy peaceful multi-party democracy. The fact that the Hon. Lissu is a Member of Parliament from an opposition party speaks loud to how far the country has given space to democracy.
The Embassy reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the reform-minded President, Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, and his Government, to cementing democratic principles, upholding the rule of law and accelerating the country’s anti-corruption drive. All these are necessary elements of the social, political and economic development agenda that the President has set for the benefit of the people of Tanzania.
On President’s Statement on Opposition Parties
During the interview, Hon. Tundu Lissu had accused the President of the United Republic of Tanzania for encouraging political violence by stating that the President did declare that he wanted to see no opposition party by the year 2020.
The Embassy states that the accusations of Hon. Tundu Lissu are unfounded. In any multi party democracy, the survival or otherwise of political parties depends on how they are able to sale their ideology and/or manifesto to the public. Based on this fact, Mr. Tundu Lissu and members of his party have occasionally stated that they will eliminate CCM from the political scene. It is therefore highly exaggerated for Hon. Tundu Lissu to conclude that the government is committing murders against opposition politicians based on the President’s statement. Furthermore, the argument by Hon. Tundu Lissu does not explain acts of murder and violence which have been committed against members of the ruling party CCM, civil servants, and police officers. It is unfortunate that Hon. Tundu Lissu was not only biased in his arguments, but also tried unethically to capitalise politically on innocent lives.
On Hon. Tundu Lissu facing several criminal cases
Members Parliament, just like any other citizens are not immune from criminal prosecutions in case of commission of offences. Hon. Tundu Lissu is facing several criminal cases, and the independence of the judiciary requires that determination of any case pending in court should not be influenced by persons or entities outside the judiciary. It is unfortunate that Hon. Tundu Lissu intentionally hides the fact that Tanzania has a record of respecting judicial decisions, even those given in favour opposition politicians.
Furthermore, the enforcement of criminal laws is not based on political affiliation as claimed by Hon. Lissu. It is for this reason that on different occasions, some members of parliament, including those from the ruling party were either arrested or charged in court following accusations of having committed different and unrelated offences. For example, in December 2017, Hon. Sadifa Juma Khamis, a member of parliament from the ruling party CCM was arrested and later charged by the anti-corruption bureau in Tanzania, the PCCB. There are also several examples of CCM politicians who were arrested or charged for various offences. It is therefore wrong and bias for Hon. Tundu Lissu to argue that opposition members of parliament are targeted.
On banning of political activities
Political parties in Tanzania are free to organize their statutory processes (like elections, constituent activities etc). Politicians, like Hon. Lissu can conduct their political activities while adhering to the laws which protect not only public order, but also the rights of other citizens. It is important to note that multi-party democracy thrives only in a place where there is law and order. Prohibition of unorganised or violent demonstration is in accordance with the law, whose existence is not limited to politicians alone.
Dr. Abdalah S. Possi
AMBASSADOR
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