ACT-Wazalendo Shifts Focus to Political Struggle for Democratic Freedom

ACT-Wazalendo has shifted its strategic focus from reconciliation to political struggle for democracy. Chairman Othman Masoud Othman highlighted the importance of cooperative efforts among political parties to liberate Tanzanians from political captivity, emphasizing the need for citizen empowerment and economic accountability in governance.

ACT-Wazalendo, a Tanzanian opposition party, has announced a strategic shift from reconciliation to prioritizing political struggle to achieve democracy. Chairman Othman Masoud Othman, who also serves as Zanzibar’s First Vice President, emphasized that this struggle is non-violent and focuses on collective action for the benefit of all Tanzanians. He indicated that without collaboration among political parties, citizens would remain politically oppressed within their own country.

During a recent press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Othman advocated for joint efforts among diverse political entities to liberate the populace, clarifying that this initiative is independent of the forthcoming General Elections. He stressed that struggle politics involves actively fighting for democratic ideals to ensure their success, declaring that democracy is vital for true ownership and governance.

Mr. Othman asserted that citizens must control decision-making regarding governance, likening it to owning a business without the authority to choose its management. He identified the importance of implementing the nation’s constitution so that citizens have a voice in matters affecting their lives. Furthermore, he argued that Tanzania’s political landscape must encompass economic accountability, with elections providing a framework for transparency and responsibility in the management of public resources.

He raised concerns about the accountability of tax collectors, questioning the public perception of politicians attributing success to presidential initiatives without acknowledging the source of resources. Mr. Othman highlighted Tanzania’s rich natural resources, suggesting that much more stringent accountability measures are necessary to curtail corruption.

This shift came as a response to the growing dissatisfaction among Tanzanians, particularly following electoral irregularities noted in the 2019 and 2020 elections. He recalled the past government’s attempts at reconciliation and mentioned ACT-Wazalendo’s active participation in discussions on electoral reforms and support for the President’s 4R framework, focusing on Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform, and Rebuild.

Through this new direction, ACT-Wazalendo seeks to mobilize citizens in a comprehensive fight for their democratic rights and good governance.

In summary, ACT-Wazalendo is realigning its focus towards a political struggle aimed at restoring democracy in Tanzania. Chairman Othman Masoud Othman has called for cooperation among political parties to ensure citizen empowerment and accountability in governance. By emphasizing the need for collective action and transparency, the party aims to address the frustration stemming from past electoral practices and promote a more accountable political environment.

Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz