The TANZANIA Centre for Democracy (TCD) has completed the launch of a program to conduct political dialogues at the district level in order to further spread political consensus among the people.
This came after a series of high-level meetings in which national leaders from various political parties recognized the importance of collaborating with President Dr Samia in implementing her 4Rs, which stand for Reconciliation, Resiliency, Reforms, and Rebuilding.
TCD has successfully launched a political forum in three districts of Dar es Salaam with the goal of uniting the leaders of the districts political parties. Starting with Ilala, Temeke, and Ubungo before expanding to other areas.
The meeting was held in the districts of Ilala on February 6 and 7, Temeke on February 8 and 9, and Ubungo on February 10 and 11.
District party chairmen, district secretaries, one youth community leader, one womens community leader, and one member of the district political committee comprise the forum.
Other participants in the dialogue include the district commissioner, the district police commander, a civil society organization active in the district, two district religious leaders, and other key institutions.
Since the formation of the TCD in 2005, national political party leaders have been able to meet and discuss various agendas that are in the national and party members interests.
Prof Ibrahim Lipumba, Vice-Chairman of the TCD, recently stated that the Head of State has agreed to hold political rallies to allow political parties to conduct their activities freely and peacefully.
"President Dr Samia has freely allowed political parties to carry out their duties in order to create a good political state in the country and also help develop the country, because the 4Rs stand for Reconciliation, Resiliency, Reforms, and Rebuilding," Prof Lipumba said.
He stated that the Forum promotes democracy, peace, and solidarity in the country by facilitating discussion.
"At the national level, we have a platform where we meet to discuss various political issues and identify the best way to solve problems," Prof Lipumba explained.
Similarly, he emphasized the importance of establishing an independent electoral commission, arguing that it is a necessary tool for the countrys long-term democracy.
The Presidents decision to allow political parties to hold public rallies in the country was the most recent development.
"As a nation, we need an independent electoral commission capable of managing the 2024 local government elections and the 2025 general election," he said.
The Centre for Democracys Executive Director, Bernadetha Kafuko, stated that the structure established at the national level should be extended to the district level in order to bring together district party leaders.
"TCD was able to run a program to create Discussion Platforms in 52 districts and councils across the country from 2013 to 2016.
The success of these platforms is measured by their ability to bring together political party leaders from various districts to discuss the political challenges that arose during the election period and to address some of the issues that arose between them "Kafuko stated.
According to the director, the agenda is developed at the grassroots level known as the Technical Committee in collaboration with the Secretariat and sent to the national level for decision-making.
Mr Zitto Kabwe, national chairman of the ACT Wazalendo, commented that the platform is an important place to bring together leaders of political parties at the district level to discuss various challenges and find solutions.
"I believe that through TCD, led by Chairman Abdulrahman Kinana, we will have a discussion on resolving political problems at the district level and ensuring that the good political environment is well maintained so that we can have peaceful elections in the coming years," Mr Kabwe said.
The Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD) is a non-profit membership organization founded by Parliamentary Political Parties that is non-religious, non-partisan, and non-profit.
Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), National Convention for Construction and Reform Mageuzi (NCCR Mageuzi), and Alliance for Change and Transparency are the current members (ACT- Wazalendo).
Outside the parliament, political parties are Associate members who participate in TCD governance organs by being represented as a block by one political party on a six-month rotational basis.
TCD was formed to foster close cooperation among the parties in order to strengthen and deepen Tanzanias multi-party democracy culture through dialogue and mutual consultation.
The respective Political Party Leaders have subscribed to the CODE OF CONDUCT, which was separately signed by them on July 15, 2005, during the TCD launch at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.
TCD operates and is guided by the provisions of the Constitution and any other guidelines that may be adopted from time to time, with the goal of promoting genuine multi-party parliamentary democracy that will ensure long-term economic, social, and political development for all Tanzanians.