Respect oaths of office

TANZANIA: LAST week we witnessed President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointing and dropping some ministers as well as picking others to take senior government posts.

This came as a means to increase efficiency in the Government, as the Head of State wants officials to prioritise interests of the citizens and avoid the misuse of power for their own personal gains.

The changes were received positively by citizens of all walks of life, hoping that the changes will trigger new life in them and go on building a prosperous nation as well as making individual lives better.

Oaths of office date back to many years, and have since become a staple of representative government. Oaths have been a requirement for public office from the nation’s inception.

After swearing-in the leaders, President Samia issued a warning to government officials, including ministers, on the importance of serving the people and living up to their oaths of office.

She called on them to go and serve the citizens, saying that she did not expect them to mock or belittle the people, while the fact is that they are the reason leaders are where they are. It was against that background, undoubtedly, the Head of State wanted the appointed leaders to ensure that the interests of the citizens are met.

As President Samia put it, the oath is binding; if they violate it, it will not spare them, therefore they should live by their oaths.

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There is every reason to praise the new appointees, because it is because of their good previous work and trust the President has in them, that they were appointed to the respective positions. An important cautionary remark is that they should avoid complacency.

Leaders should take at heart the President’s words, that all leaders who took the oath should know that the authority is a trust, and a trust demands work. It is like a borrowed garment; it does not fully and permanently cover the body.

Those who took oaths on July 26 this year, others who took the same in the past and those who will be required to do so in future, should understand clearly that taking an oath is not a mere formality, but rather, an ‘Oath of Office’ is a public pledge that the official understands the requirements of the position, and will work to meet or exceed those requirements. Oath takers should know that no one is undinspensable and so God help them.