The stage appears set for a stormy meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA), judging from yesterday’s chaotic briefing session chaired by the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Dr Thomas Kashililah had a tough time maintaining
order as some CA members defied his orders during the session at
Parliament’s refurbished debating chamber in Dodoma.
As if that was not enough, CA members were clearly
divided along party lines, with Chadema’s Tundu Lissu being heckled by
members of the ruling party.
Mr Lissu wanted to know why some important
documents required by the Constitution Review Act were missing from
files given to CA members. He was shouted down by CCM members, who
demanded that he sit down despite Dr Kashililah’s insistence that the
firebrand lawmaker get a chance to speak. “Please let democracy take its
course,” said the Clerk. “We should listen to what Mr Lissu wants to
say.”
Dr Kashililah found himself on the receiving end
of stinging criticism from Dr Ave Maria Semakafu, who accused him of
ignoring her.
Dr Semakafu spoke despite Dr Kashililah having
earlier ordered her to sit down and let Mr Kangi Lugola speak instead.
“I’m not going to sit down because I have been trying to attract your
attention, but you have been ignoring me,” said Dr Semakafu, who was
eventually allowed to speak.
She wanted the CA standing orders to categorically
state that if the CA chairperson is a man, his deputy should be a woman
and vice-versa. Other members who spoke without the session chairman’s
permission included Mr Julius Mtatiro, Mr Murtaza Mangungu and Mr Mussa
Haji Kombo.
The assembly members will sit in alphabetical
order when discussing the draft constitution in the next three months,
it was revealed yesterday. This means that members’ positions will be
fixed, contrary to regular parliamentary sittings.
The Leader of the Official Opposition in
Parliament, Mr Freeman Mbowe, will sit on the same side as Deputy
Speaker Job Ndugai, which would be out of the question during normal
parliamentary proceedings.
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