Discussion on political stalemate in the Isles have been going on at Zanzibar State House involving retired leaders including the Second Phase President, Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former Zanzibar’s President Mr Amani Karume, former Zanzibar President Mr Salmin Amour and former Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal.
According to impeccable sources, other leaders include Zanzibar’s President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, Zanzibar Second Vice-President Ambassador Seif Ali and Zanzibar’s First Vice-President, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad who maintains that he won the nullified polls.
As we went to press, Zanzibar’s government issued a statement showing that ZEC declaration on the nullification of the election had been gazetted. However, there was no official statement from the State House about the development of the discussion involving retired leaders, as Zanzibaris eagerly wait to learn what would be the next step after nullification of the October 25 polls.
“We need a way forward as soon as possible so that we move on with other business. It seems the Islands are in a stand-still,” said Mr Juma Ali Khatib- who vied for Zanzibar presidency in the nullified polls. He said, “It is good to hear that talks are going on, and it is the best way to resolve things.
But, it should take a few days. The four parties (Government, CCM, CUF, and ZEC) greatly involved in this conflict should come out with a way forward.” Mr Said Soud Said who was also a presidential candidate on Tanzania Alliance for Farmers Party (AFP) ticket said the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) has answers for the conflict.
“ZEC declared the October 25 polls a null and void, then it should tell us how long should we wait for fresh polls. And it is also unfair to sideline us (presidential candidates from other parties) in any discussion going on,” said Mr Soud.
He argues that there were irregularities and violation of election laws committed by the parties and ZEC officers, “But, it is unfortunate, the problems were discovered late, prompting the electoral body chair to nullify the elections.”
Mr Soud said that his party supports fresh elections, “but reforms of the ZEC are necessary before another election. All those who messed-up should be held accountable, because they are known.”
ZEC commissioner, Mr Nassor Khamis told the ‘Daily News’ that, “Since the nullification of the election, we have never met. We are waiting for our Chairperson Mr Jecha Salim Jecha to summon us to discuss the next step.”
He said a deal must be reached as soon as possible, because a country should have legislature, “We currently have no parliament, and some CUF ministers have decided to distance themselves from the government saying it has expired.
We must get an answer soon.” According to Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed- Minister of State (Second Vice President’s Office), the current Government of National Unity (GNU) is still valid until “another president is elected. This is par Zanzibar constitution, and we are moving on well until ZEC releases timetable for fresh polls.”
He said Ministers from the Civic United Front (CUF) are claiming to have left their respective offices, “some are actually on leave, and some have not handed-over working properties (like vehicles) to the government. I think they are using this current political dispute as opportunity for gimmick.
Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) has urged President John Magufuli to immediately solve the ongoing political impasse in Zanzibar that emerged during the just ended general election.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam, the Party leader Mr Zitto Kabwe said Dr Magufuli has to use his legal power to address the Isles situation which is threatening the unity and solidarity of the nation.
He said as that the head of state, the President should be the ultimate person to solve this controversy because its effects have attained a national problem status basing on the fact that the united republic of Tanzania is composed of Mainland and Isles part.
“It is our expectations that this political dispute will soon be addressed and Zanzibaris get back to their normal life,” he said, while explaining the achievements that so far have been achieved by ACT-Wazalendo during the just ended general election.
He said that despite the fact that the party is young and new to the political arena in Tanzania, it has been trusted by the majority as its presidential candidate obtained the third position out of eight candidates.
“As you know we had a woman candidate vying for the country’s top position, the good thing is that she fared well. We acquired one parliamentary seat and about 50 ward councillors’ seats countrywide,” he said.
He added that the party has also managed to formulate the municipal council of Kigoma Ujiji as a result of winning more council seats in the Kigoma urban constituency. “We’ll use this parliamentary seat to emphasise and publicise our manifesto in order for it to be understood by everyone.
This move is the continuation of our focus to bring back principles that laid were down by founders of our nation,” he emphasised. The party chairperson, Ms Anna Mghwira, thanked Tanzanians for their participation in the general election and vowed to fully cooperate with the new government.
She also said at the time being, they are getting ready to participate in the by elections in constituencies where elections were postponed due to different reasons including death of some candidates.
Culled from daily news
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