KUTOKA GAZETI LA JAMHURI - ''TUEPUKE SUMU HIZI'': BRIGEDIA JENERALI MSTAAFU FRANCIS MBENNA

Makala hiyo hapo chini ya Brigedia Jenerali Mstaafu Francis Mbenna katika gazeti la Jamhuri la tarehe 26 Julai 2016 imeweka nukuu kutoka kitabu changu, ''The Life and Times of Abdulwahid Sykes (1924 - 1968)  The Untold Story of the Muslim Struggle Against British Colonialism in Tanganyika,'' Minerva Press London, 1998. Bwana Mbenna anatahadharisha kuhusu maneno yangu hayo. Nayaweka hapo chini maneno yangu ili iwe wepesi kusomeka:

''...one has to keep in mind that Muslims were a majority in Dar es Salaam and were in control of local politics. Very few Muslims had confidence in mission-educated Christians. They were perceived as being too close to the colonial state to take a leading role in the struggle for independence, and many people used the election to show their objection to Nyerere. They saw him as an outsider withdrew their support from the association. Nyerere was new to the town. He had no political base of his own and was for the most of the week teaching at Pugu, outside Dar es Salaam. Abdulwahid was flamboyant and as president of TAA he had put colour into the office. He used to invite TAA activists to his house for lunches and dinners and this added to his popularity. At that time many thought Nyerere would not fit into Abdulwahid’s shoes.''

''After returning back from Tabora, Sheikh Suleiman Takadir, Bibi Titi Mohamed, Elias Kissenge and Bhoke Munanka accompanied Nyerere on a tour of Eastern Province to explain to the people of the importance and implications of the coming election. Nyerere pointed out to the people what Africans would have stood to lose if TANU had voted for a boycott of the election. But it seems Sheikh Takadir was participating in those rallies in body only; his soul and mind was not in it. He was worried by the turn of events in TANU and the way politics was assuming new dimensions. Sheikh Takadir was noticing the encroachment of Christian leadership in TANU which was going to be voted into the Legislative Council. Because of the peculiar election regulations, TANU had therefore to look outside its own rank and file for qualified candidates to contest the election against UTP. TANU elected Julius Nyerere, Chief Abdallah  Said Fundikira, John Ketto, Nesmo Eliufoo, John Mwakangale, Lawi Sijaona, Paul Bomani and George Kahama to stand as TANU candidates. Some of these were people who did not rise up with the political movement. Sheikh Takadir feared that once in power these mission-educated Christians and newcomers in the struggle would strive to maintain the colonial status quo having no obligation to lead the movement to its logical conclusion.'' 

Siwezi kuwa na maneno mengi ya kumjibu Bwana Mbenna kwani baada ya nusu karne ya uhuru Waislam wenyewe wameshaitathmini hali yao na wamesema kuiambia serikali uhuru wa Tanganyika umekuwa na maana gani kwao.

Mohamed Said

Jamhuri 26 Julai - 1 Agosti 2016