Tanzania Opposition ACT and CCM Exchange Blame Over Angola Incident
Tanzanian opposition leader Masoud Othman has accused CCM officials of misrepresenting his delegation’s blockage in Angola. The situation has sparked a blame game, with CCM leaders denying government responsibility and emphasizing the need for adherence to travel protocols. Calls for the Tanzanian government to clarify the incident and concerns about leadership in the African Union have also emerged.
In Tanzania, a dispute has erupted between opposition leader Masoud Othman of ACT-Wazalendo and senior members of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) regarding the blockage of Othman’s delegation at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Angola. Othman has accused CCM leaders Stephen Wasira and Hamis Mbetto of misrepresenting the incident and damaging the Tanzanian government’s reputation.
Othman and other opposition figures, including Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu, were denied entry to Angola while en route to participate in the African Democracy Forum. This prompted ACT-Wazalendo to issue a statement condemning the blockage and urging the Tanzanian government to publicly address the issue.
In response, Wasira asserted that the incident was not the government’s fault, noting, “They are complaining about the government’s silence, but do we manage Angola’s airport?” Mbetto echoed this sentiment, stating that Othman had not adhered to the proper travel procedures, which led to the blockage.
Othman refuted these claims, asserting that all protocols had been followed, including obtaining the necessary permissions from the President of Zanzibar and notifying relevant authorities. He emphasized that if there was a communication failure, it lay with the Angolan authorities.
Mbetto strongly defended himself, claiming he had made no errors and urged Othman to “learn to tolerate” political challenges, pointing out that previous opposition figures had not faced similar issues when traveling abroad. He questioned why Othman was blocked, suggesting it was a reflection of his failure to follow proper protocols.
ACT-Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu expressed frustration over the government’s silence regarding the blockage and called for a transparent explanation from Tanzanian officials. She raised concerns over the leadership of the African Union, questioning whether the current President of Angola could effectively uphold democratic values within the organization.
The recent dispute between ACT-Wazalendo and CCM underscores the tensions within Tanzanian politics, particularly regarding accountability and transparency in governance. Othman’s accusations against CCM leaders reflect broader concerns about the representation of political opposition in Tanzania. The call for clarity from the government and the critique of Angola’s leadership by ACT-Wazalendo highlight the ongoing discussions around democracy and governance in Africa.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
