Registrar of Tanzania's Political Parties Justice Francis Mutungi.Photo:
Courtesy
By Alfred Zacharia
Dar es Salaam: On July 9, 2024,
the Registrar of Political Parties in Tanzania, Justice Francis Mutungi, issued
a directive calling on political parties to steer clear of internal conflicts
that threaten to divide both the parties themselves and the nation at large.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day
training session for political party leaders, aimed at enhancing their capacity
to adapt to changes in party governance systems and effectively manage internal
disputes without resorting to legal action, Justice Mutungi emphasized that
political parties are institutions obligated to register and operate
democratically. He highlighted the detrimental impact of financial
mismanagement and misuse within parties, issues frequently flagged by the
Government's Controller and Auditor General.
Furthermore, Justice Mutungi urged
political parties to lead by example in nation-building, emphasizing Tanzania's
commitment to democratic principles over authoritarian rule.
In response, the Secretary-General of
the ACT-Wazalendo party, Ado Shaibu, emphasized the importance of resolving
party conflicts through reconciliation rather than force, acknowledging that
such conflicts can fracture party unity.
Meanwhile, the National Chairperson of
the Democratic Party (DP), Philipo Fumbo, expressed gratitude for the training
initiative, noting the financial challenges faced by many opposition parties in
Tanzania, which often lead to internal conflicts due to mismanagement.
The two-day training focused on
various aspects, including financial reporting requirements to the Government's
Auditor General and preparing declarations of party assets by September this
year. The initiative underscores efforts to promote transparency and
accountability within Tanzania's political landscape.