{President Jakaya Kikwete Tuesday spoke about the ban on The East African newspaper, the first time the Tanzanian Head of State has commented on the issue.}
Speaking to journalists after meeting the visiting German President Joachim Gauck at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Kikwete defended his administration against accusations of muzzling the press and cracking down on opposition leaders.
CONCERNED
President Kikwete said that the paper is not registered in the country and the government has stopped circulation until all proper procedures to operate are met.
The paper was banned last month after officials said it was not registered yet it has been circulating in the country for 20 years.
“The owners of the paper have acknowledged that they contravened our laws and they have already applied for registration,” he said, after a journalist asked him about the closure.
The President added that there is “a high degree of press freedom” in Tanzania as shown by the numerous newspapers, radios and TV stations. A United Nations spokesman Tuesday said that officials of the world agency are “closely monitoring” the Tanzanian government’s ban on circulation of the newspaper.
“In this case, as in many others, our principled position on freedom of expression as a fundamental human right stands,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq wrote in an e-mail message.
“We are hopeful that a solution will be found soon,” Mr Haq added.
He was responding to a query from journalists.
A State Department official said on Sunday that “a free and open press is essential to the development of democracy and a free and vibrant society.”
The US also urged the Tanzanian government “to make every effort to improve freedom of the press in Tanzania.”
President Kikwete Tuesday also commented over the arrest of Civic United Front national chairman Ibrahim Lipumba during a demonstration. He reiterated that anyone going against the law will be dealt with accordingly.
President Kikwete said what befell Prof Lipumba “was simply a matter of complying with the country’s laws.”
“There are rules governing demonstrations in this country. For instance, you need police permission first. You cannot just wake up and demonstrate,” he said.
POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE
“If you follow the law, nothing will happen to you, but if you do not, you will be booked.”
Last Tuesday, police violently dispersed CUF supporters who had gathered in the city to commemorate the killing of 21 people in post-election protests in Zanzibar in 2001.
Prof Lipumba and 30 other supporters were arrested and have been charged in court.
But President Kikwete said the arrest does not mean that opposition parties are not tolerated.
“They (opposition) hold more rallies than the ruling party,” said the President.
Source: Daily Nation
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