CCM, ACT-Wazalendo push for strong GNU

AFTER the launch of CCM and ACT-Wazalendo political parties’ joint reconciliation committee last week by President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the First Vice-President Othman Masoud Othman from the ‘opposition party’ has drummed for unity and love among Zanzibaris.

Mr Othman said at a political public rally held on Sunday at Nyarugusu grounds in West B municipality that Zanzibar remains a potential place for investments, an opportunity for young people and women to get employment.

“Let us work hard for our country. We need peace, tolerance, and reconciliation to move forward,” Mr Othman told a cheering gathering at the rally where other ACT-Wazalendo leaders including Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui also promoted peace to protect the Government of National Unity (GNU).

During the launch of the reconciliation committee, Dr Mwinyi said “We need to maintain unity and peace in our country regardless of race, origin, religious, or political differences.”

Details about the CCM/ACT-Wazalendo reconciliation new committee including its responsibilities and terms of references were not disclosed in the press statement from the State House.

Dr Mwinyi explained that after the 2020 elections, he formed the government of national unity (GNU) as directed in the Zanzibar Constitution, a prerequisite in achieving development goals including economic growth that may lead to poverty eradication.

The launching ceremony held at the State House was another opportunity for President Mwinyi to thank his union counterpart Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for commendable mission of promoting political reconciliation in the country.

“We should thank Dr Samia for her patriotism. She promotes good democracy and discussions with leaders of opposition political parties,” said Dr Mwinyi, who is the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) national vice chairperson responsible for Zanzibar.

Dr Mwinyi thanked the ACT Wazalendo Party, for agreeing to work with CCM leaders in order to develop and maintain GNU and peace in the country.

GNU was formed following the 10th amendment of the 1984 Zanzibar constitution as amended in 2010.

GNU was formed to bring political stability in Zanzibar after instability and hatred after the 1995, 2000, and 2005 multiparty general elections had, where the main opposition party CUF/ACT-Wazalendo claimed that elections were unfair.

The launching ceremony was also attended by the First Vice President Mr Othman Masoud Othman- national vice-chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo, and the Second Vice President Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla- Member of the CCM Central Committee.

The 2023 CCM/ACT-Wazalendo reconciliation committee include- CCM: Dr Muhamed Said Dimwa (deputy Secretary General -Zanzibar); Dr Khalid Salum Muhamed; Mr Vuai Ali Vuai; Ms Najma Murtaza Giga and Mr Salum Hassan Bakari.

Members of ACT-Wazalendo are Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, Mr Omar Said Shaaban; Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid and Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu.