Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM328
2009-05-21 05:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:  

IVLP Alumni Conduct Panel Discussion on Tanzanian Political

Tags:  KPAO SCUL TZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDR #0328/01 1410503
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210503Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8520
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000328 

STATE FOR AF/PD; ECA/PE/V/M MOYLAN; ECA/P/A KIRSH; IIP/AF BERGIN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SCUL TZ
SUBJECT: IVLP Alumni Conduct Panel Discussion on Tanzanian Political
Youth Leadership

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000328

STATE FOR AF/PD; ECA/PE/V/M MOYLAN; ECA/P/A KIRSH; IIP/AF BERGIN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SCUL TZ
SUBJECT: IVLP Alumni Conduct Panel Discussion on Tanzanian Political
Youth Leadership


1. Summary: Over fifty young political leaders and members of the
media community visited the U.S. Mission April 15 to participate in
a panel discussion led by three young Tanzanian political leaders,
who are also IVLP alumni. The capacity crowd, hailing from youth
wings of several political parties, civil society and media,
listened to the alumni discuss their U.S. exchange experiences in
2008 and 2009. The program generated a lively question and answer
session resulting in positive print and television coverage. End

Summary.


2. Three IVLP alumni, including: Zitto Kabwe, Member of Parliament,
Kigoma North from opposition CHADEMA party, who attended the
"Leadership Development for Young Political Leaders" IVLP from April
24-May 15, 2008; Ayoub Bakari, Commissioner of Zanzibar Electoral
Commission representing the Civic United Front (CUF) Party who
participated in "I-Vote: International Visitors Observing the
Election" IVLP from October 25-November 8; and Beno Malisa, Vice
Chairman of Youth Wing of the Ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)
Party, who attended the "Youth Leadership and Civic Participation"
IVLP from March 19-April 9, participated in a well-attended
roundtable conducted at the U.S. Mission April 15.


3. The Public Affairs Officer welcomed the large audience with a
short history of the International Visitor Leadership Program, its
impact, and information about other PAS exchange programs. Zitto
Kabwe, one of Tanzania's most outspoken and popular Member of
Parliament (from the opposition),shared his experience in the U.S.,
which occurred during the height of the Democratic primaries. Kabwe
was especially impressed with the role played by policy
organizations and think tanks in the U.S., which he saw focus both
voters and politicians on issues, and involve academicians and
businesspeople into politics. He remarked that Tanzanians must
follow suit to "support principles, and not individuals."


4. Ayoub Bakari, opposition CUF party member of the Zanzibar
Electoral Commission (ZEC),then spoke at length of what he saw and
learned in the U.S. during the November election, focusing on U.S.
electoral processes, and the results' impact on U.S. foreign policy.
He gave a brief but accurate synopsis of the U.S. electoral
process, stressing that despite different electoral laws in every

state and county, "it works!" Bakari spoke with awe about the
grassroots power of individuals in the U.S., and was amazed that the
U.S. President "cannot do anything without the support of Congress."
Bakari remarked how Americans made efforts to know their country
and their rights. He was proud that he had a chance to see the
historical U.S. presidential elections, and he kept the audience in
rapt attention with his remarks. Based on what he learned, Bakari
suggested the Tanzanian government could be more effective if
Ministers were not also Members of Parliament. Understanding this
difference for the first time in the U.S., he is now a proponent of
separating legislative and executive powers in Tanzania, as a way to
provide additional power to Members of Parliament and create a more
accountable government. Bakari remarked that the current system in
Tanzania, with the President appointing Ministers from amongst MPs,
brings about conflicts of interest.


5. Beno Malisa, just days following his return from the IVLP,
lauded the fact that youth participation in U.S. politics may start
as early as 13, while in Tanzania youth become involved in politics
much later. He was impressed by Americans' patriotism and national
pride, and praised youth extracurricular activities and compulsory
community service in the U.S. He said outreach programs and sports
privileges being given to those who perform well in schools was a
strong shift from what he expected to find. He called for more
national service opportunities for Tanzanians, but took the chance
to offer them to those members of the ruling party's youth wing.


6. The audience posed a number of questions on how to shape
Tanzanian youth into responsible citizens. Panelists repeated that
youth should become involved in politics in early age, and they
should unite in service despite whatever their political beliefs.
Youth organization leaders espoused youth supporting principals
instead of blindly following individuals or parties.


7. The panel discussion was supported by the following IIP and
other publications:
--E-Journal: U.S. Presidential Transitions.
--Democracy Is A Discussion: The Challenges and Promise of a New
Democratic Era, a Handbook.
--What is a Democracy, IIP
--2009 Voice of America (VOA) calendars


8. Media coverage/results: Excerpts from the discussion aired on
the "Channel Ten" evening news, and appeared in the following
English and Swahili newspapers:
--This Day, circulation 10,000
--The African (April 16 and 17),circulation 5,000
--Mtanzania Daima (article with photo),circulation 18,000


9. Comment: The panel-led discussion brought together three
prominent youth leaders from separate political parties for a

cordial and fruitful discussion in front of primarily consisting of
political parties' youth wings and civil society leaders. The fact
that we have sent these particular up and coming Tanzanian leaders
on the IVLP is a testament to the inter-agency panel's collaborative
efforts in selecting Tanzania's future leadership to experience this
type of cultural exchange with the United States. The audience was
grateful to Mission personnel for the opportunity to discuss the
challenges Tanzanian youth encounter and resolving to seek out
solutions to address them. We will continue to use the example of
the U.S. 2008 elections as a springboard for discussion to reach out
to Tanzanian youth as this country prepares for its own national
elections in 2010. End comment.