US federal court judge, Woodcock applauds TZ union

By Khalfan Said

US District Court Judge in Maine, John Woodcock Jr, has commended the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar that formed United Republic of Tanzania.

The Judge expressed his admiration late on Monday when speaking to nine Tanzanian journalists who are currently undertaking a month-long USAID/Tanzania journalists exchange project in the field of good governance, democracy and HIV/AIDS at university of Maine.

Judge Woodcock said, “The way you combine Tanganyika and Zanzibar decades ago and despite the fact that your closed to the countries that at one time had a history of political turmoil, like Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya, still you remained stable and this is very interesting to me.” He said.

The journalists went to learn about US court system at Federal court, District of Maine in Bangor city, where they also had an opportunity to attend court hearing that involved a 52 year-old Mark McCurdy, who was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearms.

Speaking on a good governance and democracy, federal court judge said, “You have a vibrant democracy it’s strike me that history of leadership, since Julius Nyerere during a colonial era, there has been a peaceful transfer of power in your country and you should be proud of it, ” he maintained

He challenged journalists to use the skill they attained from the University by writing the truth as it will remain hope to the society and will be example to the neighboring country like Kenya.

Responding to a question on whether there is a room for government interference in court proceedings in the United State, judge Woodcock said, “Although federal judges are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, the government can not interfere what so ever the court proceedings.” He pointed out.

According to the US constitution, federal judges are appointed for life. In the language of the Constitution, they "hold their Offices during good Behavior"; that is, they serve as long as they desire to, and they can be removed from office against their will only through "impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.".

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