As Tanzanians today mark the 51st anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, leading politicians have said union problems would end only if the government respects people’s opinion on the kind of union structure they want.

Such opinion is expressed at a time when the country is in the process of writing the new Constitution with the structure of the Union outstanding as a thorn in the flesh for the government.

The Warioba Commission, when working on the second Draft Constitution, proposed for adoption of a three-tier government structure but members to the Constituency Assembly majority of whom being CCM members, turned down the proposal.

Now, during the referendum Tanzanians would be required to either vote for or against the proposed Constitution, which the government has been urging voters to pass it.

Stakeholders who spoke to the Guardian on Sunday on the state of the Union said the government should first ask people whether they need the union, and secondly what kind of union they want. These are crucial matters that will end the union problems.

Executive Director of the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, Joseph Butiku, said for example, the Mainland and Zanzibar leaders should listen to factors that lead to the Union crisis and address them effectively.

 He said the proposed three-government constitution was a way to address union problems because Mainland matters have to be handled by a government of their own.

 Butiku said there were lots of problems which need immediate action. “Why are the Union laws not applicable in Zanzibar unless endorsed by the House of Representatives?

“That being so, then why MPs from the House of Representatives attend the National Assembly meetings and vote?” Butiku queried.

At present the government has transformed itself and acts as the Union, which is unfair, Butiku said, but added that the Union was beneficial to both sides of the republic.

Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe told The Guardian on Sunday that there was no better time to end Union problems than when writing the new constitution.

But, the ruling party (Chama cha Mapinduzi) used power illegally to ignore the opinion of majority and put forward their own.

People’s opinion made by the Constitution Review Commission was a rare chance to end Union problems because the people know what causes the problems, which is why they suggested three governments.

People are marking 51 years of the Union but are not happy because their opinion was ignored, and “people will continue to celebrate the union because they are forced to do so.”

UDP Chairman John Cheyo said there are things that the government must not ignore in order to maintain the Union, and stop the recurring problems. It must take seriously their opinion about the Union.

Cheyo said the people who own the constitution and the government should not be afraid to give them the power to decide on the Union, noting that Scotland is part of United Kingdom for 500 years, but last year they wanted a fresh look at the Union.

“It is not healthy to continue while there are questions about the union and the agenda behind the questions are known,” the UDP Chairman said.

“The special parliament for constitution and the government can never end the problems,” he stressed, adding that the owners of the constitution can help end them.

Professor Ibrahim Lipumba stated his disappointment over government decision to ignore the good constitutional commission’s job.

He said if the government wants to end union problems it should take up issues proposed in the constitutional draft, adding that ignoring people’s opinion further weakens the union.

The government should listen to what people need, and not put what they want. The former Speaker of the National Assembly Pius Msekwa said as Tanzania marks the 51st years of union, it is time for the youth to maintain the real meaning intended by the founders.

“I thank God I’ve witnessed all union process since 1964… I’ve seen many union challenges but we thank God that we still have a strong union until today,” Msekwa said.

 Problems threaten the union but the authorities are addressing them, which “is why today Tanzanians cerebrate 51 years of the Union. The Union is good despite all challenges,” he said.

Former Secretary General of CCM Yusuph Makamba said: “Since the Union in 1964, I have said a lot about it, I’ve made a lot of contribution, therefore this is time for January Makamba (his son) to talk for me.

Makamba added:  “I have to relax because if I did not help for the past years I cannot help you now, but January can do so.”