By CHABY BARASA
Tanzania’s leadership style has been hailed as exemplary on the
continent, as President Jakaya Kikwete reiterated that he would be
ending his term contented and happy with his government’s achievements.
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete addresses African envoys in Beijing, China.
“My second five-year term ends next year and I’m glad to say I would be
retiring very satisfied and proud of the positive efforts during my
tenure,” noted Mr Kikwete.
He ruled out any possibility of clinging to power once his term expires,
saying he would be more than happy to hand over the reins of power to
the next president.
“The presidency is a tough job. I admire those who have the muscle to
carry on for a long time,” he remarked when responding to a question by
Nigeria’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Sola Onadije.
President Kikwete was addressing African members of the diplomatic corps
accredited to China. The Nigerian diplomat, apart from commending
Tanzania’s leadership style, which is known to have contributed to the
country’s economic and political stability, asked Mr Kikwete about the
idea of extending his tenure.
“There’s beauty in the term limit,” remarked the president, noting that
it allowed the country to get someone new, with fresh ideas and new way
of thinking to push the national agenda forward.
“So once my term ends, I would be retiring to the farm and let someone
else continue with the work we have commenced. I would like my country’s
next president to be better than me,” he explained.
He also said the African Peer Review Mechanism was effective and had
helped foster democracy and good governance on the continent.
The Africa diplomats’ Deputy Dean, Mr Paul Chong Leung, from Mauritius
also hailed President Kikwete’s leadership and his contribution towards
peace and stability in the country and the continent, the latest being
his efforts to bring to the negotiating table warring factions in
Southern Sudan.
President Kikwete also used the opportunity to brief the envoys on the
new constitution process, saying it was going on well with all the
necessary steps, including the drafting of the new constitution changes
act and the formation of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).
Others are the formation of the Constituent Assembly (CA) and a vote on the new constitution proposals in the Katiba House.
‘’What remains now is the referendum to get the people’s approval of the
new constitution proposals. If everything will go as planned, the vote
will be taken anytime during April, next year,’’ the president said.
Source: Tanzania Daily News
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