By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, has appointed Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the immediate past President of Malawi, as her Special Envoy to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Dr Chakwera will arrive in Tanzania for a four-day engagement from 18 to 21 November to initiate an inclusive discussion with Tanzanian stakeholders as part of efforts to address issues surrounding the elections and to support the launch of a national dialogue on reconciliation and development.
During his visit, he will meet government officials, political party leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, and other national and international stakeholders.
The appointment follows the Secretary-General’s recent statement on Tanzania and her continued interest in engaging with the country’s government.
Botchwey said: “Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s experience and leadership will be important in supporting constructive dialogue among all stakeholders, and I am confident it will contribute to peace and stability for the people of Tanzania, grounded in the Commonwealth’s shared values of inclusion, justice and accountable governance.”
Accepting the appointment, Dr Chakwera said: “As an African from a neighbouring country who has followed the situation in Tanzania closely, I am deeply honoured by this invitation to serve as Special Envoy. I accept this assignment and am grateful for the Secretary-General’s confidence. I am fully committed to supporting inclusive dialogue, which upholds democratic principles and strengthens the rule of law.”
Dr Chakwera will be supported by the Assistant Secretary-General, Prof Luis Franceschi. The outcome of the visit will guide the Secretary-General in her decisions and actions on the way forward under her Good Offices role.
In her statement on 1 November, Botchwey said she was deeply concerned about the situation in Tanzania following disturbing reports of violence, injuries, and deaths during demonstrations in urban areas of the country. “I appeal to the Tanzanian authorities to ensure conditions for peaceful and orderly demonstrations, while I encourage all to exercise maximum restraint and respect for law and order. Authorities need to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by security forces.”
She called on political parties and other stakeholders to immediately engage in dialogue to address the causes of the post-election unrest and to strengthen democracy in the country. President Samia Suluhu, who was controversially elected on 29 October, has promised a probe into the violence, in which at least 2,000 people are believed to have died.
Several others, including senior officials of Chadema, the main opposition party, have been arrested and charged with treason.
Due to an internet shutdown following the election, the United Nations says it has not been able to verify exact casualty figures. Suluhu was declared the winner of last month’s presidential poll with 98 per cent of the vote, a result the opposition has denounced as a “mockery of democracy”.
Alongside the commission of inquiry, she has also asked prosecutors to “show leniency” towards those arrested in connection with the violence. Quoting the Bible, Suluhu said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
