APRM: peoples’ views should prevail in the new Constitution
By Shout-Africa Correspondent, Dar es Salaam – The African Union (AU) programme for governance assessment-the Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Tanzania chapter has urged for views of the people to prevail on the final document of the Constitution.
The APRM has also hinted that it is reviewing the just released document to see whether there are some issues that need to be enhanced so that the country finally get its final document that would lead Tanzania into a more prosperous and peaceful country in the future.
That was said in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the Dar Salaam International Trade Fair by APRM Tanzania Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Hassan Abbas when he was responding to a query from a section of the press.
“While our findings in the APRM report are clear that most Tanzanians wanted the new constitution process to start, now the wish has been granted. In my opinion I think it is the people who will have to dictate on crucial matters in each item that has been proposed in the released draft constitution,” he said.
Asked on the controversial Union structure proposed by the Constitution Review Commission, Mr. Abbas who is also a trained lawyer said APRM as governance monitoring Mechanism is conducting its own review of the released draft to take stock of the main issues that were recommended in its report and what has been included in the Commission’s document.
“The constitution review is a mandate of the Commission; APRM cannot interfere with any of the activities of the Commission. But as an advisory Mechanism on governance issues in the country, we always consult relevant institutions when there are APRM issues that need to be given attention.
“Regarding the structure of the Union, the views of the people in the APRM report were also so diverse. On this basis APRM cannot have its own opinion or stance on the matter but when we met the Constitution Review Commission our submission was that people’s views should prevail. This remains our position even now that the first draft is out,” he said.
He said that APRM Tanzania hopes the formed constitutional councils will help to refine the document including the issue of Union structure. He urged few Tanzanians appointed or elected to participate in the forums to do their job with a view of making a better Tanzania.
Tanzania joined the APRM since 2004 and is scheduled to present its final report in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the end of January, 2013 for consideration before an AU/APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government.
33 out of 54 African countries have acceded to the Mechanism and are at different stages of implementation. The APRM review process is conducted after every four years.
