Mwinyi sets GNU roadmap
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Hussein Mwinyi has set Government of National Unity (GNU) on its next course after launching a joint CCM–ACT Wazalendo committee to steer implementation of the political reconciliation agreement expected to pave way for the new administration.
Launching the Joint Working Committee on the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Political Reconciliation at State House in Zanzibar yesterday, President Mwinyi said the committee would play a central role in translating the July 9 agreement between the two parties into practical action that strengthens peace, unity, political stability and development.
He urged members to ensure the agreement was implemented effectively and within the agreed timeframe, saying wananchi expected leaders to deliver politics that unite rather than divide.
“People in Zanzibar have high expectations of us. They expect politics that build rather than destroy, politics that unite rather than divide and politics that seek solutions rather than create conflicts,” President Mwinyi said.
He said the success of the reconciliation process would ultimately be measured by its impact on people’s daily lives through greater peace, stability, unity and development across Zanzibar’s communities.
President Mwinyi congratulated members appointed from both CCM and ACT Wazalendo, saying they had been chosen for their experience, professional competence and ability to coordinate and monitor implementation of the agreed agenda.
“You have been appointed because we have great confidence in your ability. We believe you can effectively coordinate and monitor this reconciliation process,” he said.
He urged the committee to work professionally, respect one another and put Zanzibar’s broader interests ahead of political differences, saying cooperation between the two parties was essential to sustaining the reconciliation process.
The President also paid tribute to former Zanzibar presidents Amani Abeid Karume and Ali Mohamed Shein, together with CCM, ACT Wazalendo and other political stakeholders, for helping build the dialogue that culminated in the July reconciliation agreement.
ACT Wazalendo Chairman, Mr Othman Masoud Othman said the committee had been entrusted with a major responsibility in shaping Zanzibar’s future as the islands move towards the GNU.
“Peace and stability are not merely political issues; for Zanzibar, peace and stability are the economy, business and people’s lives,” Mr Othman said.
He said Zanzibar’s dependence on the service economy made lasting peace and stability essential for attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Mr Othman said the islands had experienced many defining moments throughout their history, but the time had come to write a new chapter founded on development, unity and genuine peace.
He pledged ACT Wazalendo’s cooperation in implementing the reconciliation agenda and urged leaders to put national interests first, saying the reconciliation process belonged to all Zanzibaris rather than political parties alone.
The committee’s two co-chairpersons also pledged to work together in advancing the GNU roadmap through implementation of the reconciliation agreement.
CCM Zanzibar Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Abdi Mahmoud Abdi said his party was ready to fulfil its responsibilities and expressed confidence that cooperation would guide the committee’s work.
ACT Wazalendo Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Omar Ali Shehe said the committee’s goal was to build what he described as a “new Zanzibar” founded on reconciliation, unity, solidarity and greater socio-economic development.
Zanzibar Chief Secretary, Ms Mansura Mossi Kassim said the committee had been given terms of reference covering the organisation of meetings, work schedules, preparation of reports and procedures for submitting its findings.
President Mwinyi later handed the committee’s terms of reference to the two co-chairpersons, formally marking the start of the committee’s work as Zanzibar enters the next phase of the reconciliation process expected to culminate in the formation of the Government of National Unity.
