NCCR Mageuzi party Leaders blamed the registrar of political parties Francis Mutungi following a rift within the party on May 25, 2022. Photo: courtesy.
By Adonis Byemelwa
Registrar of Tanzania's Political
Parties, Justice Francis Mutungi, delivered a decisive directive yesterday,
July 9, 2024, urging political parties to steer clear of internal conflicts
that threaten not only party unity but also national cohesion
Speaking at a crucial training
session for party leaders aimed at enhancing governance systems and conflict
resolution, he emphasized the imperative for transparent governance. Amidst
ongoing challenges and accusations of office interference in party affairs, Justice Mutungi emphasized the democratic obligations of political
parties as institutions.
He underlined the damaging effects of
financial mismanagement and misuse within parties, issues frequently flagged by
the Government's Controller and Auditor General.
He called upon political parties to
lead by example in nation-building, reaffirming Tanzania's commitment to
democratic principles over authoritarian rule.
In response, ACT-Wazalendo
Secretary-General Ado Shaibu, stressed the importance of resolving party
conflicts through reconciliation rather than force, acknowledging that such
conflicts can undermine party unity.
Meanwhile, Philipo Fumbo, National Chairperson
of the Democratic Party (DP), expressed appreciation for the training
initiative, noting the financial challenges that often lead opposition parties
in Tanzania into internal conflicts due to mismanagement.
The two-day training covered various
topics, including the requirements for financial reporting to the Government's
Auditor General and the preparation of party asset declarations by September
this year. This initiative underscores efforts to promote transparency and
accountability within Tanzania's political landscape.
In response to accusations from
leaders of the NCCR-Mageuzi and Chadema parties that he had instigated internal
conflicts within their ranks, Justice Mutungi clarified that his office did not
provoke these disputes; rather, they originated from within the parties
themselves.
These comments were made during a
recent interview with reporters, where Justice Mutungi addressed allegations
that his office had exacerbated tensions within the NCCR-Mageuzi party.
He explained that his office had
attended a meeting at the invitation of party members but stressed that the
Registrar lacks significant authority to intervene in party member disputes or
factional divisions.
The conflict within NCCR-Mageuzi
escalated following a decision by its Central Committee on May 21, 2022, to
suspend Chairman James Mbatia and Vice-Chairperson (Mainland) Angelina Mtahiwa
pending a General Assembly. Mbatia and his supporters disputed the legality of
this decision, criticizing the Registrar's involvement in a meeting they deemed
invalid.
Mohamed Tibanyendela, Chairperson of
the party's Board of Trustees, condemned the Registrar's interference in party
disputes, stating that they had formally written to him expressing their
concerns.
Registrar of Tanzania's Political Parties Justice Francis Mutungi.Photo: Courtesy
Chadema's Secretary-General, John
Mnyika, alleged that the Registrar's office had been meddling in party affairs
for the past six years under the previous government, calling for an end to
illegal interventions and the fabrication of conflicts within parties.
Responding to criticisms and letters
from both parties, Justice Mutungi stressed that it was premature to comment on
the matter as he had not yet received formal correspondence, urging patience
from the public. He underscored that the Registrar's office operates
impartially and by constitutional mandates to uphold fairness and adherence to
party constitutions.
Similar complaints have been raised in
the past by other parties involved in internal disputes, accusing the
Registrar's office of exacerbating conflicts rather than facilitating
resolutions.
The conflict within CUF between former
Secretary-General Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad and Chairman Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba
also saw allegations of the Registrar's interference, although Justice Mutungi
dismissed these claims, highlighting that such disputes often end up in court
due to internal party dynamics rather than any external instigation from his
office.
Chadema itself has recently faced
internal strife, particularly concerning the removal of 19 of its special seat
MPs, who subsequently sought legal recourse against their expulsion. In
conclusion, Justice Mutungi reiterated that his office's role is to ensure
compliance with party constitutions and legal frameworks, maintaining a neutral
stance in party conflicts.
As Tanzania prepares for civic
elections in five months and a general election next year, concerns have
emerged regarding another critical issue: the registration of new political
parties.
Two new parties, the Independent
People's Party (IPP) and Action for Human Justice (AHJ Wajamaa), have voiced
frustrations over delays and hurdles in securing registration certificates in
time for the local government elections in October.
Reports indicate that the Office of the
Registrar of Political Parties has suspended all new registrations
indefinitely.
In a letter addressed to President
Samia Suluhu last December, seen by The Respondent online, AHJ Wajamaa
accused Registrar Judge Francis Mutungi of halting new party registrations
without a clear timeline for resumption since late last year. The Respondent
online contacted the Registrar for comment, who indicated that he would
only provide information in a face-to-face meeting at his office in Dodoma.
"I can only give you the
background of what you are inquiring about if you meet me face-to-face here in
Dodoma," he stated. "As for the two applicants, they need to follow
the correct procedures as laid out in the law and regulations governing
political party registration."
Currently, Tanzania has 19 registered
political parties and has not registered any new ones for at least a decade,
with ACT-Wazalendo being the latest addition in May 2014.
In November 2016, the Registrar canceled three
parties—Chama Cha Haki na Usawa (Chausta), African Progressive Party of
Tanzania (APPT-Maendeleo), and Jahazi Asilia—for failing to comply with
provisions related to the proper maintenance of financial and property records.
At that time, Judge Mutungi cited an audit of political parties' compliance
with the law and its regulations as the basis for the decision.
AHJ Wajamaa's letter to President
Samia, dated December 19, 2023, and signed by founder chairperson Maghus
Msambila and secretary Kube Lowassa, expressed frustration over the lack of
clarity on the end date of the verification process and the resumption of new
party registrations. The party accused the Registrar's office of failing to
provide reasons for the continued delay in processing their application despite
completing all formalities in 2022 and paying the required registration fee.
"We have not been informed of the
reasons for the continued hold-up, nor have we been given a timeline for
resolution," they stated in the letter. "Our attempts to contact the
registrar's office have been met with silence, except for the registrar
himself, who advised us to be patient while holding onto our fee." AHJ
Wajamaa called on President Samia to intervene and address the situation
urgently.
Andrew Bomani, co-founder of IPP,
alongside Vyonheaven Urima, expressed frustration over their year-long struggle
to secure registration, citing recent claims that they had "failed to
provide sufficient proof of Tanzanian citizenship" and other documentation
issues. "This not only undermines our basic democratic rights but also
risks leaving us stateless," Mr. Bomani told The Respondent Online
According to correspondence between
IPP and the registrar's office dated March 4, 2024, the party was informed that
their submitted documents did not meet the requirements outlined in the
Political Parties Regulations of 2019. These deficiencies included incomplete
data in forms regarding proof of Tanzanian nationality and failure to specify
the party's address, constitution, and policies.
The delay in new party registrations
has raised concerns about the democratic process in Tanzania, particularly as
the country approaches significant electoral milestones. The inability of new
parties to participate due to registration hurdles casts a shadow over the
inclusivity and fairness of Tanzania's political landscape.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders
continue to call for transparency and adherence to legal processes in the
registration of political parties. The Registrar's Office faces mounting
pressure to provide clarity on the status of new party registrations and to
ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and per the law.
In essence, while Tanzania prepares
for upcoming elections, the resolution of these registration issues will be
crucial in determining the openness and integrity of the electoral process. The
involvement of political parties and civil society in monitoring these developments
will be essential to safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring a level
playing field for all political actors.