‘Safeguard revolution legacy’
ZANZIBAR: CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) National Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, yesterday urged Zanzibaris to safeguard the legacy of the Revolution by maintaining unity, solidarity and peace and by placing the development interests of citizens above political differences.
Addressing CCM members at Kisonge, Kachorora and Kontena maskani in Zanzibar City, President Samia warned that political hostility and division could weaken the foundations laid by the country’s liberation heroes.
“If we become divided, fight and turn against one another, we are not protecting our Revolution; we are betraying our parents,” she said.
President Samia further said the current generation had a duty to safeguard the gains secured by those who fought for Zanzibar’s liberation and ensure that the legacy continued to improve people’s lives.
“Disagreements are natural in any society, but they should never be allowed to turn into hatred or permanent hostility among citizens,” Dr Samia said.
She said the fundamental purpose of the Revolution was to guarantee a better life for all people through social and economic progress and stressed that this objective could only be achieved in an environment of peace and cooperation.
President Samia said she was encouraged whenever she visited Zanzibar and witnessed ongoing development projects, noting that progress was continuing on both sides of the Union.
She said she and Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, had continued working together to advance the welfare of citizens and strengthen development efforts.
The President, however, reminded citizens that government alone could not achieve development without the active participation of the people.
She said the role of government was to create an enabling environment through policies, infrastructure and public services, while citizens should seize available opportunities to improve their own livelihoods.
President Samia identified business, investment and tourism among the sectors that offered opportunities for employment creation, income generation and economic empowerment.
She also urged citizens to maintain peace regardless of their political affiliations, saying leadership should serve all people equally.
“I am everyone’s President, and leaders are leaders for everyone,” she said.
Referring to the 2025 General Election, President Samia commended Zanzibaris for maintaining peace during the electoral process and said political competition should not become a source of lasting divisions.
She likened politics to sporting competition, saying that, just as football matches end and supporters return to their daily lives, elections should end with citizens working together for the common good.
The President further said leaders from different political parties should be able to meet, engage in dialogue and seek solutions that serve the future interests of Zanzibar and the country as a whole.
In another development, President Samia called for the revitalisation of CCM maskani, describing them as important centres for civic engagement, dialogue and community mobilisation.
She said the maskani system had played a significant role in strengthening grassroots participation within the party and urged members to restore its vibrancy in areas where activities had declined.
President Samia said active community structures were important not only for party work but also for promoting social cohesion and collective responsibility.
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She also encouraged citizens to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen unity and bring communities together.
For his part, Chairman of the Zanzibar Maskani Union (UMAZA), Juma Rajab, thanked President Samia for what he described as her continued commitment to development and social welfare on both sides of the Union.
He said members of the maskani had witnessed ongoing development projects and remained ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity and progress in Zanzibar.
