Parties at odds over CCM-CUF talks

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has declared itself satisfied with ongoing political talks between it and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), which, it said, were being “guided by trust and openness.” The CCM executive council issued a statement in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, late last week, saying that the political talks were going well, and would enhance peace, tranquility and brotherhood in the country, Radio Tanzania reported.

However, senior sources within the Tanzanian opposition say the current discussions are achieving nothing. “CCM is just playing for time but they are not prepared to offer any compromise,” one such figure told IRIN.

The talks, at Secretary-General level of the two parties, began earlier this year and are intended, in particular, to find a solution to the political crisis in the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar following last October’s parliamentary and presidential elections. The opposition has refused to recognise the results and is boycotting parliament. The political dialogue is concentrated mainly on modalities for the implementation of the Commonwealth Agreement of 1999. This ‘mwafaka’ (Kiswahili for agreement) was hailed in Zanzibar as an opportunity to break the political deadlock brought about by the flawed elections of 1995, the opposition boycotting of parliament and the treason trial of CUF activists.

The Commonwealth agreement envisaged, among other measures, the reform of electoral laws, Zanzibar Electoral Commission and the judiciary on Zanzibar. For implementation of the agreement, the CCM favours a supervisory body to be appointed by the president, while CUF wants a government of national unity. Other points of contention include CUF’s request for an independent inquiry into the killings of 27 January and its demand for a rerun of the general elections. The CUF has said the talks are the only means of bringing about democracy in the country but that the party would not wait forever for an outcome, especially if the CCM dragged out the dialogue. Donors have not been willing to use the aid stick against Tanzania, and political analysts say CCM is therefore in no hurry to compromise. “CUF is in an awkward position,” said one diplomatic observer. “It’s extremely unlikely to get any of its main demands but the only leverage it has is letting its supporters back onto the streets, which would lead inevitably to violence.” [for more details, see separate IRIN story of 11 September headlined “TANZANIA: Government comfort leaves CUF at odds” at: http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/index.phtml]