AFRICA/TANZANIA - Rising political tension as elections approach; Catholic bishops call on nation to unite to build peace and harmony

Dar Es Salaam (Fides Service)- “As our Bishops said in a recent Pastoral Letter Tanzanians must work together to build harmony in view of elections on 30 October” said local sources in Dar Es Salaam, capital of Tanzania in pre-vote tension is high. Yesterday 13 September an activist of the governing CCM Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party, Mr Mwajuma Nyanza was burned alive with his children when unidentified arsonists set fire to his home. “This episode was very serious but the police are not certain it was a crime political” the sources said. “All the political parties have signed and promised to respect a protocol of good electoral conduct”.
By singing the “good electoral conduct” parties promised to promote a climate of harmony and fair-play before, during and after the vote. Nevertheless there is tension, particularly in Zanzibar. The island of Zanzibar joined with Tanganika 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar, which has its own parliament and president for domestic adminstration of the island, is considered the stronghold of opposition to CMM which has governed the country for 40 years. The people of Zanzibar feel neglected by the Dar Es Salaam government with regard to distribution of resources for development.
“These problems do exist but Tanzanians feel they are a united people and there is no danger of secession” the sources said.
The Bishops have already called on the people to be united and Christians and all men and women of goodwill to be aware of their right/duty to vote and to pay attention to the electoral campaign in order to choose candidates according to the political programmes they present. In the Pastoral Letter in June the Bishops wrote “As religious leaders we call on our community to encourage the people to be part of the work of building up the nation and to partecipate in national development. Every individual much shoulder responsiblity for building unity among all believers and contribute to peace and harmony in our world”.
The Bishops call on the ruling class to promote the common good, reject the temptation of corruption and work to provide development, education and a health system to meet the real needs of Tanzanians. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2005 righe 36 parole 410)