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Tanzanian President Vows to be Tough on Elements Fanning Chaos
Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa has vowed to deal squarely with disgruntled elements bent on fanning chaos and disharmony in his country, the official Daily News reported Tuesday.
Speaking at a public rally in the western Shinyanga Region on Monday, the president said that peace, unity and stability, which Tanzanians continue to enjoy, will not be compromised due to whims of a few selfish people.
Mkapa made the remarks following hundreds of Muslim protesters clashed with police in a banned protest last Friday to demand the release of a fellow Muslim who was imprisoned after allegedly uttering words defaming Jesus.
A dozen of people including several policemen were injured during the clash while some 170 protesters were arrested. However, more than 130 people had been released by Monday.
Meanwhile, two bombing incidents took place at the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) branch offices here on Saturday night. The police are holding one suspect, Mussa Ali, a Dar es Salaam resident in connection with one of the blasts, which caused damage to the CCM buildings but made no injuries to people.
Referring to the incidents occurred at the weekend, Mkapa warned that all those translating the government's "tolerance and humbleness as cowardice" should think twice as the law will bring them to book.
He said that democracy does not mean seeking "so-called rights" through violence and disrespecting the rule of law.
"The rule of law will now be applied because enough is enough and we can no longer tolerate seeing our exemplary and shining record of peace and tranquillity going to the dogs by selfish motives of few unscrupulous people," Mkapa said.
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