The Tanzanian constitution-making process in Dodoma is in danger after it emerged that politicians have briefs to take hardline stance on fundamental issues.

As the gathering enters a fourth week, some members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) have raised the alarm over politicians openly pushed the agenda of their parties. They warned that the continued push for party interests could either give the country a poor constitution or deny it one altogether.

Opposition parties and minority groups represented in the assembly accuse the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of pushing for a two-government Union system.

However, CCM has denied arm-twisting the Assembly members into accepting its position.

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“We have a party stand, but this does not mean that individuals are bound by this position. Individual members and Constituent Assembly members have freedom to do what they think is right,” said CCM ideology and publicity secretary, Nape Nnauye.

The Constituent Assembly is made up of 629 members, with the majority being politicians.

The members are drawn from Tanzania parliament (357), Members of the House of Representatives (82) and 201 members nominated by President Jakaya Kikwete. Most of these nominated members are CCM members.

Owing to the positions taken by political hardliners, the Assembly has not made any progress.

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For the three weeks the Assembly has been in session, members have been deliberating on the proposed standing orders.

The general public mood of the country is that the members are wasting valuable time on debating issues like an increase in their allowances, which dominated debate in the first week of the session.

Leader of Official Opposition in the parliament Freeman Mbowe has warned that political interests are threatening the process.

Opposition fury

Politician Ibrahim Lipumba warned that some members were using the process to gain political mileage. He said it was unfortunate that some politicians were using the process as a way of aligning themselves ahead of the 2015 General Election.

According to Prof Lipumba, some CA members have been using their opportunity to woo voters when debating various issues in the parliament.

“We are here to make history; we are here to define Tanzania of the next 50 to 100 years. It is very important that we put aside our political or any other ambition in favour of the public interests,” he said.

Mr Mbowe asked political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly to rein in their members to make meaningful contribution.

Mr Mbowe made the remarks shortly after a session was adjourned prematurely following chaotic conduct of some members. Tampers flared due to lack of tolerance, forcing interim chairman Pandu Ameir Kificho to adjourn the session.

Mr Mbowe told journalists that if the situation is not addressed, there is little hope that Tanzanians will get the constitution they deserve.

“Indiscipline that will cause this session to be extended should not be accepted. This is very unfortunate and I am personally unhappy with what is happening,” said Mr Mbowe.

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He noted that some members debate and oppose some issues simply because they have been raised a member of a different political party.

“There is a need, therefore, for all major political parties, to talk to its members to see this as a very important national meeting,” he stressed.

He said it was unfortunate that while majority of Tanzanians were waiting for a debate on the proposed constitution, CA members have been spending a lot of time arguing about the draft standing orders.