Zanzibar Secure Sh 370 Billion For New Port

Existing Port.
THE government of Zanzibar has signed a 230 million US dollars (over 368bn/-) deal with a Chinese company for construction of a new port at Maruhubi area, a milestone to the development efforts of the Isles.

The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Vice Chairman, Mr Lin Yi Chong and the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communication, Dr Juma Malik Akil signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday.

Zanzibar Minister for Finance, Mr Omar Yussuf Mzee, Minister and Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Communications, Mr Rashid Seif Suleiman and Mr Issa Haji Ussi respectively, joined the CHEC delegation led by its chairman Mr Sun Zi Yu, civil servants and journalists to witness the signing of the contract.

"I fell in love with Zanzibar and we are ready to work," said Mr Sun Zi Yu, as his deputy Mr Lin told the gathering that Zanzibaris should expect a new port of high quality with security facilities. The construction period is 36 months.

Mr Suleiman expressed his joy about the start of the port project, saying: "China is our brother and therefore we hope the construction of the port will be of the required standard."

According to the PS, this is the first phase of the long-term port development project. "The new port will have a 300 metres docking space and 65 metres land craft, modern handling equipment with capability to handle 200,000 containers and 250,000 tonnes of loose cargo," he said.

The finance minister said the dream to have a modern port is now a reality. "The Exim bank will provide a loan of 200 million US dollars while the contractors (CHEC) have agreed to release 30 million US dollars through equity financing of the 36 months project construction period," he said.

Mr Mzee also said that his office is still following up on the release of the funds from Exim bank as soon as possible so that the construction begins. He noted that the union government through the Ministry of Finance will have to sign the loan agreement before it is released, because the union government is the guarantor of foreign loans and grants.

He said Zanzibar will have 25 years including a grace period of five years to repay the loan from the time the money is released and that the agreement includes CHEC enjoying 13 per cent of the port shares for an undisclosed period.


By Issa Yussuf - Daily News

Milipuko ya Mabomu Leo Hii Zanzibar.

Mgahawa wa Mercury



Kanisa la Anglikani Mkunazini Zanzibar.

Kumetokea milipuko miwili ya mabomu leo huko Zanzibar, moja likilipuka katika lango la kuingilia kanisa la Anglikani la Mkunazini na bomu lingine kulipuka katika mgahawa maarufu Mercury.



Eneo la tukio la bomu Mkunazini.

Matangazo Katika Hoteli Za Kitalii Zanzibar. ...

Zanzibar Yaongoza Kwa Ukatili Wa Kijinsia Kwa Watoto.

Hii sio habari njema hata kidogo kwa kisiwa chenye kujitambukisha duniani kama ni kitovu cha ustaarabu na furaha katika mwambao wa Afrika ya Mashariki. Aidha unapozungumzia udhalilishaji wa kijinsia au ukatili kwa watoto kwa hapa Tanzania mara nyingi mikoa ya Tanzania Bara imekuwa ikishika nafasi za juu kulinganisha na Visiwani. Ukatili wa kijinsia unalenga zaidi katika jinsia ya kike, ambapo kumekuwepo na ndoa nyingi chini ya umri, mimba kwa watoto walipo skuli na hata ajila kwa watoto.

Vitendo vya ndoa, ubakaji, ulawiti, ukeketaji na ajila kwa watoto kwa mapana ndio unajenga kuwepo kwa ukatili kwa watoto kwa jinsia zote, hapa nchini.

Taarifa ya kitafiti iliyotolewa na TAMWA hapo siku ya Jumatano tarehe 19.02.2014, imebaini kuwa Zanzibar kuna matukio mengi ya ukatili wa kijinsia ukilinganisha na Tanzania Bara. Hii sio mara ya kwanzakwa TAMWA kufanya tafiti za aina hii hapa nchini, ila kinachosikitisha ni kwa Zanzibar sasa kuongoza katika jedwali la ukatili tofauti na hapo miaka ya nyuma ambapo mikoa kama ya Singida na Mara ilivyokuwa ikishika nafasi za juu katika ukatili huu.

Katika tafiti zilizopita zilitafiti zaidi vitendo vya ubakaji na ulawiti wa watoto huku ukeketaji ukitafitiwa zaidi katika mikoa ya bara. Tatizo la ubakaji na ulawiti kwa Zanzibar linaonekana kupungua kwa mjibu wa Kitengo Cha Uhifadhi Mtoto (Child Protection Unit). Kitengo hiki kilianzishwa mwaka 2010 ambapo kwa mwaka huo jumla ya kesi 141 za ubakaji zikiwemo 30 za ulawiti ziliripotiwa kituoni hapo, kulinganisha na mwaka 2011 ambapo kesi 8 za ubakaji na 2 za ulawiti zilifunguliwa kiyuani hapo, huku mwaka 2012 kesi zikishuka zaidi hadi 6 za ubakaji na moja ya ulawiti, hii ni katika kipindi cha kuanzia mwezi Januari hadi Mei.

Wakati tatizo la ubakaji likishuka, tatizo la ndoa na mimba kwa watoto waliopo skuli limeongezeka na kusababisha kuwa kikwazo cha maendeleo kwa mamia ya watoto wa kike visiwani humu.

Katika tafiti ya TAMWA kwa Wilaya ya Kati Unguja na Kusini Pemba kulikuwepo na jumla ya matukio 288 ya mimba za umri mdogo na matukio 42 ya ndoa za umri mdogo. Hali hii inatisha na inatoa pi ha kubwa juu ya ukatili huu kwa watoto wa kike visiwani na inapaswa kutazamwa kwa ukaribu kabisa ili kuondoa tatizo hili Visiwani.

Moja ya sababu ambayo inaweza kuchangia ukatili huu, ni sheria ya sasa inayotoza faini ya Shs 15,000 kwa mzazi/mlezi atakaye muozesha mtoto wake aliyeopo skuli. Zaidihakuna sheria yoyote ambayo inamzuia mzazi/mlezi kumwozesha mtoto ambaye hasomi skuli. Ukiangalia kwa sheria ya ndoa ya mwaka 1971 kifungu cha 13(1) kimeelezea umri wa kuolewa ni mika 15, umri ambao kwa watoto wengi wanakuwa bado wapo skuli. Sheria hii inaweza kutoa mwanya mkubwa kwa ndoa za aina hii na kukatiza maendeleo ya mtoto wa kike.

Kwa upande mwingine wazazi/walezi wamekuwa katika nafasi ya mbele ya kuendeleza kuwepo kwa ndoa aina hii, na vitendo vingine ambavyo vinasababisha kuwepo kwa mimba nyingikwa watoto wa skuli. Malezi duni, uchumi mbovu na tamaa ya wazazi wengi inatajwa kuwa ni moja ya sababu ya kuendelea kuwepo na ukatili huu kwa watoto wao. Hata baadhi ya sheria kama ile ya kuruhusu kwa watoto walipata mimba kuendelea na masomo inaweza kuwa kichecheo kwa watoto hawa kupata mimba kiholel holela. Sheria hii hata hivyo aina sio wengi wameweza kuitumia kwa kurudi skuli baada ya kujifungua.

Pengine ukatili huu unaweza kupunguzwa kwa kiasi kikubwa kupitia Katiba Mpya ya Tanzania inayoendelea kujadiliwa huko Dodoma. Hii imetokana na TAMWA kupendekeza kuwepo na vipengele vya kuzuia ukatiliwa kijinsia katika rasimu ya pili ya Katiba.

Meneja Programu wa kuelimisha demokrasia na KATIBA wa TAMWA, Bi Shufaa Faisal Ubuni, ametaja kipengele kilichoingizwa kwenye rasimu ya pili ya Katiba ibara ya 43, ibara ndogo ya 3 ambacho kinasisitiza wajibu wa kila mzazi/mlezi pamoja na mamlaka ya nchi kuhakikisha kuwa watoto wanalelewa kwa maadili sawa na umri wao.

Tanzania Improves Communication Link Between Mainland and Zanzibar.

Tanzania s government has switched on a new microwave link designed to improve communications between the mainland and the island of Zanzibar

The link supplements one from the main landline operatore, TTCL and was funded at a cost of US$1.6 million with support from Japan.

"We are now sure of effective communication in Zanzibar," the Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof Makame Mbarawa at the inaugeration of the link.

"With this new link, people of Zanzibar will now communicate without hurdles," he said, adding that the project has been successfully completed.

Construction of the link started last year.


Source: Cellular News

Maoni ya Mzanzibari kwa Wajumbe wa Zanzibar Kwenye Bunge la Katiba

Enyi Waheshimiwa Wabunge,

Kama tunavyojua kuwa Bunge la Katiba linakaribia kuanza na nyinyi ndio munaokwenda kupeperusha bendera ya Zanzibar kwenye bunge hilo linalobeba mustakabali wa taifa hili kwa miaka mingi ijayo. Wito wangu wa kwanza kwenu ni kwamba muende mukaangalie maslahi ya nchi badala ya vyama vya siasa. Najua wito huu mumeshatolewa na wengi, na nyinyi wenyewe huwa kila mukipata nafasi munatwambia kuwa hivyo ndivyo munavyokwenda kufanya. Lakini mimi nikiwa Mzanzibari, nina wajibu pia wa kuwakumbusha tena na tena.

Ukumbi wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano ambao pia utatumika kama ukumbi wa Bunge la Katiba.
Ukumbi wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano ambao pia utatumika kama ukumbi wa Bunge la Katiba.

Jukumu lenu kubwa ni kuangalia namna madhubuti ya kutatua mfumo butu wa serikali mbili usio na mbele wala nyuma. Kwenye katiba hii, nyinyi hamuna kubwa zaidi ya hilo, maana mengine yaliyo nje ya hapo yameshaelezwa kwenye Katiba yenu ya Zanzibar.

Nendeni bungeni mukikumbuka kwamba si haki kwa Wazanzibari kuwazuilia Watanganyika kurejesha nchi yao itakayoongozwa na wao wenyewe kupitia bunge lao wenyewe, bajeti zao wenyewe na ukusanyaji wa mapato yanayotokana na jasho lao wenyewe.

Kumbukeni kuwa mfumo wa Serikali Mbili ndio umegeuka kuwa fitna baina ya jamii mbili zenye uhusiano mkubwa wa kidugu na uliodumishwa kwa misingi ya ufahamiano na heshima na sio utawala wenye malengo tafauti na azma nzima ya kuungana

Iangalieni Katiba ya Zanzibar kila mara mukiwa kwenye vikao vya bunge hilo. Ilindeni na muiheshimu. Musije mukaruhusu kuharibiwa kwa misingi ya Katiba hiyo.

Mabadiliko ya Katiba ya Zanzibar ya mwaka 2010 yameonyesha wazi kwamba Zanzibar ni nchi inayoongozwa kwa misingi ya mihimili ya serikali, bunge na vyombo vya sharia. Wakati Wazanzibari tulipoipitisha, hatukutaka kuweka kimeme katika hadhi ya Zanzibar kama nchi katika Muungano na tukaweka wazi madaraka hata ya kuigawa nchi kwa mhusika mkuu wa Serikali ya Zanzibar badala ya mfumo wa zamani wa kuomba ruhusa kwa mlango wa pili, kutoka kwa Rais wa Muungano.

Nyinyi hamuna uwezo wa kuiviza azma kama hii iliyomo kwenye Katiba yetu na ambayo iliidhinishwa na asilimia zaidi ya 60 ya wananchi. Nyinyi hamuwezi mukawa wa mwanzo kuuzuia upande wa pili kujichomoza kwa visingizo vya kuulinda Muungano. Muungano ulikuwepo na utakuwepo, pawe au pasiwe na katiba mpya, kwani misingi ya Muungano huu ni udugu na mafahamiano makubwa baina yetu, watu wa Tanganyika na watu wa Zanzibar.

Nendeni mukapinge hoja za matumizi makubwa katika Mfumo wa Serikali Tatu kwani ni dhaifu. Chukuweni data za mapato zilizokusanywa kutoka Mamlaka ya Mapato Tanzania (TRA), Bodi ya Mapato ya Zanzibar (ZRB) na hata tafiti nyingi kutoka taasisi za ndani na nje ambazo zinaonyesha wazi mgawanyo wa mapato ya Muungano na nchi husika na hata uchangiaji wake katika shirikisho kuendana na hali halisi ya wakaazi na maeneo yao. Waulizeni wanaopinga Serikali Tatu, hivi mambo matano ya Muungano yatakuwaje ghali kuliko 32 ya sasa yenye kero lukuki?

Vunjeni hoja za kwamba wapenda Serikali Tatu ni wapenda madaraka, maana nayo pia ni potofu. Semeni kwamba Bunge la Shirikisho linalopendekezwa kwenye Rasimu ya Pili ya litakuwa na wajumbe 20 tu kutoka Zanzibar. Sasa hayo madaraka yanayopendwa na wapenda mabadiliko yako wapi, wakati leo hii Zanzibar ina takribani wabunge 100 kwenye Bunge la Muungano? Maana ubunge ni cheo na cheo ni madaraka kwa kuwa kwake na fursa za mwenye madaraka. Sasa je unapopunguza wajumbe, ni kupenda madaraka au kupunguza madaraka?

Huenda mukaambiwa kuwa hoja ni kwamba Bara nao watahitaji wabunge wao wa serikali yao. Ulizeni cha ajabu hapo ni kipi? Mbona hatujasikia kelele za kuwa Baraza la Wawakilishi, kwamba nalo pia lina gharama kwa Wazanzibari na Serikali ya Zanzibar? Wazanzibari wanalipa kodi kuigharamikia serikali, mahakama na baraza lao la wawakilishi. Waacheni ndugu zetu wa Tanganyika nao walipe kodi kwa ajili ya taasisi zao za utawala.

Urahisi wa mbili kwa tatu labda ni kwa mantiki ya hisabati tu, maana ni kweli mbili ni ndogo kuliko tatu katika mfumo wa mfuatano. Lakini kwenye suala la gharama, wasiwajie na maelezo ya mantiki ya hisabati bila ya ushahidi, kwani kwa kufanya hivyo watakuwa wanawatumieni nyinyi kuhahalisha uoza wa miaka 50, huku tukiendelea kujidanganya eti kunahitajika marekebisho madogo madogo.

Wakumbusheni historia ikiwa wameisahau. Kwamba marais waliotangulia kwa Zanzibar ni sita na kwa Muungano ni wanne. Hivi tuseme marais hao hawakuwa na hamu ya kweli ya utatuzi kwa miaka 50 hata ikawa kila mmoja anamrithisha mwenziwe kero bila ya utatuzi? Kimewashinda nini kwa muda wote huo, hata hii leo iwe rahisi kutatua hizo kero? Kwani serikali si ndio hii hii ya chama tawala, CCM?

Waonesheni ukweli ulio mbele ya macho yao lakini wasiouona. Kwamba hata ndani ya vyama vya siasa, ambavyo kikatiba ni vya Muungano, mfumo ni huu huu wa Tatu: vyama vina mwenyekiti mmoja na makamo wawili wa pande mbili, manaibu katibu wa pande. Kwa nini isiwe kwa mjengeko wa serikali?

Niwaambieni kitu kimoja, waheshimiwa wabunge wangu. Hizi kelele na khofu za gharama zinalengwa zaidi kwamba kutakuwa na rais wa pande mbili na rais wa shirikisho. Lakini wanapaswa kujua hao kuwa unapopenda boga, upende na uwa lake. Ikiwa wameutaka Muungano, wasikhofie gharama. Sisi Zanzibar, tuna wakuu wa serikali wanaotazamwa na serikali yenyewe. Sasa kwa nini iwe gharama kwa wakuu wa serikali ya Tanganyika kutazamwa na serikali yao wenyewe? Kwa nini wasiwaweke wakuu hao kuwa wachache tu wanaostahili kutokana na mamlaka na kazi zao kutazamwa na serikali ya shirikisho yenye mchango wa pande zote?

Wanaosema Zanzibar hatuwezi kuchangia Serikali Tatu, wambieni wawapeni hoja sio maneno matupu. Watumbatu hunasema “Mkono mtupu haulambwa.“ Musije mukatishwa na watu waliojivalisha majokho ya udaktari na uprofesa wa kila fani, wakawafanya kuwa mazuzu musioweza kuhoji.

Mukitaka kujuwa kuwa hao hawana hoja, angalieni upofu wa hoja yao ya mchango wa Zanzibar kwenye Muungano isivyoweza hata kuchanganuwa kwamba watu milioni 1.5 na milioni 44 ni tafauti. Kwamba uchangiaji wa Wazanzibari milioni 1.5 utakwendana na mambo matatu muhimu – idadi ya watu wetu, ukubwa wa maeneo na matumizi yetu katika taasisi husika.

Uchangiaji wa bajeti ya trilioni 400 usikutisheni. Munalotakiwa mufikiri kwanza ni kwamba kuna mantiki gani ya kupewa mapato ya 4.5% kutoka mgawo wa Muungano hata tushindwe kuchangia kwa mantiki ya namna hiyo hiyo? Waje na uthibitisho sio ngonjera zisizokwisha, maana sisi Wazanzibari tumeshachoka na kero za kujitakia. Tumechoshwa na chuki na fitna za kupandikizwa na mfumo butu wa sasa.

Wengine watawaambieni kuwa hoja ni kumuenzi Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Waambieni basi ni bora wote warudi kwenye Vijiji vya Ujamaa na Azimio la Arusha. Waambieni warudi kwenye mfumo wa chama kimoja aliouunda. Waambieni Mwalimu Nyerere angelitunzwa zaidi kama kungeundwa serikali moja tu kwa vile ndio hasa ndoto yake na kauli mbiu yake ya “Mbili kwenda Moja”.

Watakeni wawapeni sababu za msingi za kuendelea na mfumo wa sasa, kwani sisi Wazanzibari wa wa kizazi cha leo ni watu wa kuhoji. Sisi sio wa mbembelezo wa asili za wazee wetu ikawa ndio sababu ya kukubali makosa tukayawacha yaendelee.

Pelekeni ujumbe wetu wa wazi kwenye Bunge la Katiba. Kwamba sisi Wazanzibari tumewatuma mukapitishe mfumo wa Serikali Tatu kama ulivyopendekezwa na Tume ya Jaji Warioba. Hapana shaka, mutatakiwa kuufanyia marekebisho hapa na pale kidogo, lakini kwa vyovyote hamutarudi hapa na mfumo huu wa serikali mbili ambao una kila chembechembe za watu wachache, wabinafsi, wanaofaidika nao.

Si tumeona wakati Baraza la Wawakilishi likizuia na kupinga ongezeko kubwa la mafao na mishara yao, Bunge la Muungano lilikubali ongezeko kubwa la mafao kwa wanaomaliza mihula yao? Hizi ndizo gharama tunazosema hatutaweza kuzibeba.

La mwisho kabisa, ninawanasihi kwamba nendeni mukidumisha heshima ya Zanzibar, Uzanzibari na Wazanzibari. Musije mukarogwa na mukarogeka na kirusi cha ufisadi kinachoimun’unya Tanganyika hivi sasa. Kwa mfano, kwa lipi kubwa munalokwenda hata kila mmoja kati yenu akalipwe posho ya shilingi 700,000 kwa siku? Laki saba hizo zinaweza kutumika kuwanunua na kuiuza tena Zanzibar kama ambavyo imekuwa ikichuuzwa siku nenda siku rudi.

Hapana. Nyinyi musije mukawa wachuuzi wa Zanzibar. Umma utawaona, utawalaumu. Utawahukumu.

Wakatabahu,

Farrel Foum Jr.

Makaburi ya Wakristo Mwanakwerekwe Yapo Hatarini Kutoweka....

Kumekuwepo na hujuma za makusudi za kuharibu eneo rasmi la makaburi ya kuzikia Wakristo wa Zanzibar, liliopo Mwanakwerekwe katika Wilaya ya Magharibi, Mkoa wa Mjini/Magharibi.

Ni muda mrefu sasa kumekuwepo na vitendo vya ovyo kabisa vinavyofanyika katika eneo la makaburi hayo. Vitendo hivyo sio rahisi kuviona vikifanyika katika maeneo ya makaburi ya dini zingine ambazo makaburi yao yamepakana na haya ya Wakristo.

Kama inavyoonekana kwenye picha hapo juu, kuna hujuma za kulifanya eneo hilo kama Jaa la taka, kuna watu kwa makusudi kabisa wameligeuza eneo hilo kama sehemu ya kucimbia mchanga kwa ajili ya ujenzi wa nyumba zao.

Aidha vijana na watoto wanaoishi karibu na makaburi hayo, wao wameona eneo hilo linafaa zaidi kwa kuchezea mpira, huku waakazi wengine waishio karibu wameligeuza eneo hilo kuwa barabara ya kupitishia vipando vyao juu ya makaburi, huu ni utaarabu wa pekee ambao unaweza kuonekana Zanzibar pekee hapa duniani.

Kama vile haitoshi, wapo waliogeuza makaburi hayo kama sehemu ya kupata materials kwa shughuli zao za ujenzi, ambapo ubomoa zege katika misalaba na mifuniko ya makaburi ili kupata nondo, kumegua vigae (tiles) au kuchomoa misalaba ya mbao. Zaidi sio ajabu kukutana na mifugo ikuchungwa makaburini hapo.

Wakati huu udhalilishaji wa maeneo ya makaburi ya Wakristo ukizidi kuota mizizi na kuonekana kama ni jambo la kawaida serikali imeendelea kukaa kimya tofauti na hatua wanazochukua kwa makaburi ya Waislamu.

Mwishoni mwa mwezi wa kwanza, kupitia kwenye Baraza la Wawakilishi, serikali ilisema kuwa imepanga kulitumia eneo la Kama liliopo Wilaya ya Magharibi kwa ajili ya kuzikia watu.

Mpango huo unachukuliwa kutokana na eneo la makaburi ya Waislamu yaliyopo Mwanakwerekwe kuelekea kujaa. Hata hivyo Wawakilishi hawakuwa tayali kuzungumzia udhalilishwaji na hujuma zinazofanyika katika eneo la makaburi ya Wakristo ambalo lipo jirani tu na hayo yalioadiliwa.

Upofu na ukiziwi wa serikali juu ya yale yanayoendela katika makaburi hayo, ni moja ya sababu kubwa inayowatia kiburi baadhi ya watu ambao wameamua kuyahujumu makaburi hayo ya Wakristo.

Ni vema kwa serikali kutokimbilia kutafuta maeneo mapya kabla ya kudhibiti maeneo yanayo endelea kutumika. Kwani kwa kufanya hivyo bado hawatokuwa wametatua tatizo lilipo kwenye jamii.

Ikumbukwe kuwa hatua ya kutafuta eneo jipya la Kama, imetokana na kumwegwa na kubadilishwa kwa matumizi ya eneo la makaburi ya Waislamu, ambalo awali lilikuwa na ukubwa wa hekta 80 za mraba na sasa linakaribia kuwa na hekta 25 za mraba.

Kwa upande wa Wakristo wa Unguja mjini, ipo haja ya kuendelea na wazo lililotolewa na waumini wenzetu juu ya kulizungushia ukuta eneo hilo. Viongozi wa madhehebu yote yanayotumia eneo hilo itakuwa ni jambo la msingi iwapo mtakutana na kupanga namna ya kuweza kujenga uzio ili kuifadhi makaburi hayo na eneo lililobaki.

Ni jukumu letu kwa kiasi fulani kulilinda eneo hilo pasipo kutegemea sana serikali. Hii itasaidia kulitunza eneo hilo kwa muda mrefu. Tunaweza kuangalia na kuiga mfano wa Makaburi ya Wajerumani ya pale Mwembemadema, ambayo yamedumu kwa zaidi ya miaka 150, na tunaweza vilevile kuangalia jinsi makaburi yanavyoweza kuvamiwa kama ilivotokea kwa makaburi ya Wakatoliki hapo hapo Mwembemadema, ambapo baadhi ya watu walianza kuzika kabla ya kutiwa uzio.

Kisheria, maeneo ya makaburi yamekuwa na utata mwingi. Hakuna sheria rasmi juu ya udhibiti na utunzaji wa maeneo ya makaburi, zaidi ya ile iliyotungwa baada ya Mapinduzi ikitoa uhuru wa kubadili matumizi ya makaburi baada ya kupita miaka 40. Mfano wa karibu juu ya sheria hii ni pale ilipotumika katika makaburi ya kariakoo.

Matokeo ya Uchaguzi Kiembesamaki: CUF Watafute Sababu Nyingine Mpya.

Kama ilivyo ada kila baada ya uchaguzi, vyama vishiriki vimekuwa vikitoa maoni yao juu ya mwenendo mzima wa uchaguzi kuanzia wakati wa kampeni hadi upigaji kura. Maoni ya vyama vya siasa hivyo ni juu ya ushiriki wao na namna uchaguzi ulivyokwenda halikadhalika kujipima kufanikiwa kwao ama kutofanikiwa kwao katika chaguzi husika.

Mapema mwezi huu kulifanyika uchaguzi mdogo wa kuchagua mwakilishi mpya katika Jimbo la Kiembesamaki huko Unguja, ambapo chama cha CCM kilishinda uchaguzi huo kwa kupata asilimia 76 na mgombea wake Bw. Mahmuod Thabit Kombo kutangazwa mshindi.

Chama cha CUF ambacho ndio chama kikubwa cha upinzani visiwani humo kiliambulia asilimia 18, ikiwa ni asilimia ndogo sana kulinganisha na umaarufu wake na kukubaliwa kwake visiwani humo. Hii inatoa picha mbaya kwa wafuasi wa chama hicho na inatia kichefuchefu kwa uongozi wa chama hicho. Ikumbukwe kuwa chama hicho baada ya kutoridhisha na matokea mengi ya uchaguzi visiwani humo ilifikia hatua ya kutoitambua serikali na kususia shughuli zote za kiserikali ikiwa ni pamoja na ushiriki katika Baraza la Wawakilishi.

Kwa kifupi kila mtu anajua miafaka iliyokuwa ikiundwa kila baada ya chaguzi kutokana na chama cha CUF, kupinga matokeo ya uchaguzi. Hatima ya miafaka hii ilipelekea kuanzishwa kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa baada ya maafikiano na chama cha CCM.

Moja ya sababu kubwa ambayo imekuwa ikisikika tokea kurudi kwa mfumo wa vyama vingi nchini, ni ile ya uchaguzi kutokuwa huru na wa haki pamoja na kuporwa kwa demokrasia visiwani humo na chama cha CCM, zaidi lawama kwa Tume ya Uchaguzi. Sababu hizi zimekuwa zikirudiwa rudiwa kila baada ya uchaguzi na hasa katika matokeo ambayo chama cha CUF ikishindwa. Pale wanaposhinda hamna sababu hizi.

Baada ya maridhiano na kuja kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa, wengi wetu tulitegemea kutosikia tena sababu hizi kutoka katika chama hicho, kwani sasa nao ni waundaji wa serikali ambayo hapo awali walikuwa wakiilalamikia. Kitendo cha katibu mkuu wa CUF Bw. Maalim Seif Hamad na Mkurugenzi wa Haki za Binadamu na Mawasiliano ya Umma wa CUF, Bw. Salim Bimani kuibuka kupinga matokeo ya uchaguzi mdogo wa Kiembesamaki kwa kauli zilezile za miaka nenda rudi kinatia shaka na kinatoa maswali mengi miongoni mwetu.

Akiwa huko Pemba Bw. Seif Sharif Hamad, amerudia kauli zake za kudai kuwa uchaguzi haukuwa huru na serikali hiyo hiyo anayoifanyia kazi imehujumu uchaguzi huo kwa kupandikiza mamluki wakati wa upigaji wa kura.

Alisema "Kama kuna wananchi wa Kiembesamaki waliokwenda kupiga kura basi hawazidi elfu moja, wengi walichukuliwa katika maeneo tafauti, kama vile Makunduchi, Mtende, Kitope na Bumbwini na wakapelekwa kupiga kura huku wakilindwa na vikosi vya serikali".

Nae Bw. Bimani alisema "Chama cha CUF kilibaini tokea mapema maandalizi ya fujo na matumizi mabaya ya nguvu za dola pamoa na vikosi vya serikali, ambavyo viliandaliwa kwa dhamira ya makusudi ya kuwapa haki waisostahiki na pia kuwanyima watu wengi haki yao ya kufanya maamuzi ya demokrasia".

Kauli hizi toka kwa viongozi hawa zinatia shaka juu ya ukweli wa malalamiko ya chama hiki kabla na baada ya kuja kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa. Ni kauli ambazo zimeshazoeleka sana katika masikio ya wananchi wengi visiwani humo na nchini Tanzania kwa ujumla. Sina budi kujiuliza ni nini mafanikio ya CUF kuwepo katika serikali ilhali bado wanaendelea kuilalamikia serikali hiyo hiyo. Ni nini faida iliyopatikana kwa kuwepo na maridhiano iwapo kero ya ulalamishi wa hujuma katika chaguzi ipo pale pale?

Kwa upande mwingine nashindwa kuelewa kama viongozi hao wameshindwa kuona impact iliyotokea baada ya kuja kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa kwa wanachama na wapenzi na wapiga kura wao. Je bado wanachama wao wanaona kuna umuhimu wa kushiriki katika chaguzi ambapo matokeo yake hayatoweza kubadili nafasi ya chama hicho katika kuendesha serikali? Ni kwa kiwango gani chama hiki kina maamuzi katika kuendesha serikali ya maridhiano?

Ukiangalia vyama vingine ambavyo havipo kwenye serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa kama vile TADEA, ADS, SAU na kadhalika, wao wameyapokea matokeo haya kwa mikono miwili na zaidi wameendelea kuangalia kama kumekuwepo na mafanikio katika kushii na kukubaliwa na wananchi kupitia matokeo hayo. Zaidi wameonyesha kutokuwepo na hujuma yoyote wakati wote wa uchaguzi huo tofauti na madai yaliyozoeleka ya CUF.

Bw. Ali Mohamed Ali Mwenyekiti wa TADEA amekiri kutokuwepo kwa mamluki waliopata kupia kura katika vituo vyote vya uchaguzi huo, aidha waliopiga kura ni wananchi wa Kiembesamaki. Nini nafasi ya kauli ya Bw. Hamad hapa? TADEA ni mojawapo ya vyama vilivyoshiriki chaguzi zote visiwani humo tokea kuja kwa mfumo wa vyama vingi.

Ni vema kwa wakati huu chama cha CUF, kikajiangalia upya juu ya ushawishi wake kwa wanachama wake na nafasi yake kama chama kikubwa cha upinzani visiwani humo badala ya kuja na kauli rahisi rahisi kama hizi. Muda wa kufanya hivyo wanao na ni mwingi. Zaidi wapime nafasi yao serikalini na hatima ya chama chao.

Is Tanzania the Next Target for Radical Islam?

Bishops of Kondou on Coexisting, Ministering in Peace

ROME, February 06, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Bishop Bernadin Francis Mfumbusa heads the almost three-year-old Diocese of Kondou, in the heart of Tanzania, one of 34 dioceses that serve a Catholic population of some 9 million, 20% of the population. Another 10% are Protestants of various denominations. Animists account for 35% of the population and Muslims another 35%, the majority of them Sunnis. The various faiths have lived peacefully side by side for many generations, but in recent years some worrisome signs are pointing at the emergence of extremist Islam.

Bishop Mfumbusa spoke to international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need on Monday about the future of Tanzania.

Q: You recently returned from celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the faith on Zanzibar, where Muslims make up nearly the entire population. But the joy of the occasion was tempered by a growing radicalization of Islam on the island, and four attacks on the Church and its people in the last two years-most recently the brutal attack on a local priest with acid, which left the man severely burned. What can you tell us of the threat of extremist Islam in Zanzibar?

Bishop Mfumbusa: The threat of extremist Islam in Zanzibar should be understood in a specific context. One, the problem of Christian-Muslim tension in Zanzibar is not new. Some Muslims claim ownership of the archipelago saying Islam is the religion of Zanzibar. Two, radicalization of a certain segment of the population in Zanzibar is part of a worldwide trend. It should not be seen in isolation. Three, there is a political dimension to religious tensions, as some people and groups portraythemselves as defenders of Zanzibari values, namely, Islamic values and principles. Still, the vast majority of people in Zanzibar would prefer to live in peace as extremism poses a danger to the entire society-not only to Christians.

Q: Do you have concerns for such Jihadists elements causing trouble on the mainland?

Bishop Mfumbusa: The possibility of trouble in Mainland Tanzania is as real as it is in London or New York or elsewhere. Last year a Catholic church was bombed in Arusha, and the culprits are still at large. We read in the news recently that some Al Shabaab (Somalia-based militants) elements were spotted in Tanga, one of the major coastal towns. The greatest danger at the moment is the infiltration of foreign Jihadis and the return of Tanzanian radicals who have received training outside the country.

Q: Do you perceive a larger threat then to Tanzania, just as extremist Muslims have worked their way into Mali, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and elsewhere? What forces are behind this import of radical Islam?

Bishop Mfumbusa: Tanzania has a large Muslim population estimated at 35%. A group known as Uamsho in Kiswahili (or "awakening") is inciting violence, especially in Zanzibar. Pamphlets with specific messages against Christians and Christian institutions have been recovered. On the Mainland at least one radio station was banned because of inciting sectarian violence. Funding for these activities appears to come from abroad as the streets are awash with audio and videocassettes encouraging Muslims to harm kafirs (non-Muslims).

Q: What is happening to the peaceful Islam that has been characteristic of Africa for so long? Do you dialogue with moderate Muslim leaders? Are moderate Islamic leaders outspoken enough in denouncing anti-Christian violence?

Bishop Mfumbusa: A prominent Ugandan scholar, Mahmoud Mamdani, wrote a book titled, "Good Muslim, Bad Muslim," in which, among other things, he warned of the danger of oversimplifying issues. There is an extremist fringe, it is true, but the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful. In Kondoa where I live more than 90% of people are Muslims. About 80% of my own family are Muslims, and so far we are living together fine. The major problem is external influence, which brings with it new interpretations and even usages of Islam.

Tensions are evident, and signs of radicalization are increasing, but the Christian leadership stays in touch with Muslim leaders. Whether the so-called moderate Muslim leaders denounce anti-Christian violence is a moot question. Muslim leaders who appear to side with Christian themselves fall victims to extremist violence, as was the case last year in Zanzibar. Naturally, there is a fear to speak out among moderate Muslims. Unfortunately, this only emboldens the extremists.

Q:How do you explain the hatred of some Muslims for Christians and their faith?

Bishop Mfumbusa: Some Muslim scholars suggest that Islam is the original religion of Africa. This is far from true. Islam came to North Africa in the 7th century through conquest; and made its way to East Africa with Arab traders. Hatred of Christians by Muslims can be traced to a totalitarian tendency to expunge all non-Muslims. That is what happened in North Africa in the early days of Islam

Some Muslim leaders claim that Muslims are marginalized by Christians. That is how the justify interventions, like the recent one in the Central African Republic by Seleka Muslim rebels who made their forays under the pretext of protecting Muslims. Christians are scapegoats for all that is wrong among the Muslim populace-and the demagogues use such arguments to work up people into hatred.

Q: What are your arguments in helping Christians themselves from turning to violence out of revenge?

Bishop Mfumbusa: Whenever I get an opportunity I remind people of Tolstoy, who held that there is an oft- forgotten verse in the Bible, namely, Matthew 5:39, where Jesus is telling his disciples: "don't resist evil." Our best hope is forgiveness. We cannot solve evil by doing evil. As best as we can, we must learn to "not resist evil." But as the situation in the Central African Republic has made clear, it can be hard to control people after a certain point.

Q: How can the Church help build bridges between Christians and Muslims?

Bishop Mfumbusa: Inter-religious dialogue in Tanzania is going on at different levels. At the national level there is a multi-faith committee, which brings together leaders from all religions. Even here in my diocese Kondoa there is a committee trying to address inter-religious problems. Also the church welcomes all people to make use of its institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, etc.

Q: Have you personally been confronted with evil?

Bishop Mfumbusa: Evil is part of human life, and no one can escape it. It is easier to hear of horrors of war, hatred, hunger and so forth when such things are happening in far off countries. Personally I have experienced tragedy when Father Ambroce Mkenda was shot and gravely wounded on Christmas Eve 2012. His crime, apparently, was to be a Catholic priest on Zanzibar. I know him well, as we were in the seminary together in the late 1980s. Indeed, as some say, man is wolf to man.

Q: How do you cope with the loneliness of the life of a pastor-particularly that of a bishop?

Bishop Mfumbusa: I remember when I was elected bishop of Kondoa a fellow bishop told me that loneliness would be now part of my life. To some extent this is true. I have to make difficult decisions alone. Often I live alone as we have only a handful of priests. Luckily, in Africa, most people are part of a large extended family, so people do drop in to greet me all the time. Generally, there are no official appointments and there is a steady flow of visitors- so there is no time to be lonely, really! There is also the consolation of prayer, knowing that the Lord is always near, even when we feel lonely for some reason.

Q: Does the Church in Tanzania see a growth in vocations?

Bishop Mfumbusa: At the moment, we have more than 500 seminarians doing philosophy and theology in five seminaries run by the Tanzanian bishops' conference. There has been an uptick in the number of seminarians. Generally, the number of seminarians tends to ebb and flow over the years. We need to commission a study to find out why more young men have been drawn to the priesthood lately.

Q: What do you think are the particular gifts of African Catholicism-and can they benefit the Church in the West?

Bishop Mfumbusa: I think one of the greatest gifts of Tanzanian Catholicism is unity. Despite ethnic, regional and other differences, the faithful, for example, accept pastors and bishop from other parts of the country or from other ethnic groups without a problem. Another gift which can be emulated elsewhere are our "Small Christian Communities," which have become a strong embodiment and expression of the local Church in our country.

Q: What is the biggest challenge for you personally in 2014?

Bishop Mfumbusa: The biggest challenge is the limited number of priests. Here in my diocese, there are only 13 priests working in 11 parishes. And there is a potential-a need-to open six new parishes immediately. We simply don't have the personnel. For example, my secretary doubles as the parish priest of the cathedral parish. It can be overwhelming.

Q: And what are the main challenges for the new year for the Church in Tanzania-family life, catechism, formation of priests and religious?

Bishop Mfumbusa: The greatest challenges lie in the area of priestly formation and religious education. Developments in the secular education sector are outpacing our capacity to provide religious formation for students. For example, there are now secondary schools in many villages, yet we don't have enough catechists to teach at this level. We need to improve the capacity of our catechists and lay ministers. In the area of priestly formtion the main problem is lack of books, as well as a limited information and communication infrastructure in our seminaries.

Q: Pope Francis stresses the need for the Church-indeed, the world at large-to care for the poor. In what ways is the Diocese of Kondoa serving the poor, the sick and the marginalized?
Bishop Mfumbusa: We have an orphanage with more 70 children, most of whom were abandoned. We care for them irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. The local Church also operates a health center and a few dispensaries in some of the remotest areas in the district. We would wish to do more but limited human resources hamper our efforts.

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Source:EWTN.com

Matokeo ya Uchaguzi Mdogo Kiembesamaki

Jumla ya kura zilizopigwa 2458.
CCM imepata kura 1856 sawa na 76.5%
CUF kura 445 sawa na 18.3%
CHADEMA kimeambulia kura 84 ikiwa ni sawa na 3.5%.

Hivyo basi mwakilishi mpya wa Kiembesamaki ni Mh.Mahmuod Thabit Kombo pichani hapo juu.