…Reconciliation key to Z’bar peace, unity

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has emphasised that reconciliation between Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and ACT Wazalendo is essential to safeguarding peace and stability, protecting the Union and promoting development in Zanzibar and Tanzania as a whole.

She said the reconciliation process should be guided by national interests and a shared commitment to strengthening unity, maintaining political stability and improving people’s welfare.

Dr Samia made the remarks yesterday when she met members of the Joint Committee for Dialogue on Reconciliation in Zanzibar.

The meeting comes as Zanzibar advances implementation of the political reconciliation agreement between CCM and ACT Wazalendo, following the signing of a joint declaration by the two parties on July 9 this year.

In September 2026, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi launched a joint committee comprising representatives of the two parties to coordinate and oversee implementation of the agreement as part of broader efforts to strengthen the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Speaking during the committee’s launch at State House in Zanzibar, Dr Mwinyi said members had a crucial responsibility to translate the agreement into practical action that would consolidate peace, unity, political stability and development.

He urged them to ensure the agreement was implemented effectively and within the agreed timeframe, noting that citizens expected political leaders to unite people rather than deepen divisions.

“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.

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He said the success of the reconciliation process would ultimately be measured by its impact on people’s daily lives, particularly through improved peace, stability, unity and development.

Dr Mwinyi also commended former Zanzibar presidents Amani Abeid Karume and Ali Mohamed Shein, alongside CCM, ACT Wazalendo and other political stakeholders, for their contributions to the dialogue that culminated in the July agreement.

In a separate development, President Samia has sworn in the chairperson, vicechairperson and members of the Nomination Committee responsible for selecting commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ceremony took place at State House in Dar es Salaam in accordance with Section 9(2) of the Independent National Electoral Commission Act No. 2 of 2024.

The President appointed Chief Justice of Tanzania George Mcheche Masaju as chairperson and Chief Justice of Zanzibar Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla as vice-chairperson.

Other members are the Chairperson of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Mr Dunford George Mpelumbe, and its Vice-Chairperson, Mr Omar Ali Omar.

Ambassador Maimuna Kibenga Tarishi was also appointed to the committee. The Interview Committee is established under Section 9(1) of the Act.