Fears as GNU clocks two years
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Tuesday, 23 October 2012 22:50
digg_url = ' + location.href + '; digg_title = 'Fears as GNU clocks two years'; digg_bodytext = ''; digg_bgcolor = '#ffffff'; digg_window = 'new'; By Polycarp MachiraThe Citizen ReporterDar es Salaam. As the Zanzibar Government of National Unity (GNU) clocks two years since its inception next month, cracks are not only evident, but also causing fears of its prosperity. The GNU was formed in 2010 after a peaceful election following an agreement between the then Zanzibar President Amani Karume and Civic United Front (CUF) secretary-general Seif Sharif Hamad to end political instability in the Spice Islands.
But the ruling CCM and CUF are now at loggerheads again, and may soon battle it out in the court of law following the Bububu by-election results. CUF publicity director Salum Bimani told The Citizen that they had collected enough evidence to prove that the by-election was marred by fraud as some people, who were not residents of Bububu constituency, were allowed to vote.He claimed that CCM used armed militias to escort illegal voters to polling centres. “This act puts the GNU at risk,” warned Mr Bimani, adding that CUF had filed a case in court. But CCM deputy secretary-general (Zanzibar) Vuai Ali Vuai dismissed the claims, insisting that the by-election was free and fair. He, however, accused CUF of causing unrest that left scores of people injured and property, including several cars, destroyed.“These people do not believe in peace. They are now fighting against the government from within. After causing chaos, they now resort to the court,” he told this reporter.The major crack has, however, been compounded by a treaty based union, a proposal championed mostly by CUF politicians. These have, for a long time, been pushing for the breakdown of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
All CUF ministers in the GNU support the move while some CCM ministers allied to a top official in the GNU do not want to hear anything about the proposal. They consider it to be CUF’s way of realising its dream of breaking the Union with Tanzania Mainland.A minister, who declined to be named, told The Citizen that the official was not happy with the way President Ali Mohamed Shein handles the group which is seeking the so-called treaty based union.“The official believes it is the Zanzibar President who has given them room to do all these in the name of campaigning for Zanzibar sovereignty,” he said. A committee of six people spearheading the secession had forwarded proposals to the President, who blessed them before directing that they should be taken to the people for endorsement.The President has on several occasions been quoted as urging members of the public to freely give their opinions to the Constitutional Review Commission, saying the government would do nothing, but abide by their wishes.Full report in Political Platform magazine inside
But the ruling CCM and CUF are now at loggerheads again, and may soon battle it out in the court of law following the Bububu by-election results. CUF publicity director Salum Bimani told The Citizen that they had collected enough evidence to prove that the by-election was marred by fraud as some people, who were not residents of Bububu constituency, were allowed to vote.He claimed that CCM used armed militias to escort illegal voters to polling centres. “This act puts the GNU at risk,” warned Mr Bimani, adding that CUF had filed a case in court. But CCM deputy secretary-general (Zanzibar) Vuai Ali Vuai dismissed the claims, insisting that the by-election was free and fair. He, however, accused CUF of causing unrest that left scores of people injured and property, including several cars, destroyed.“These people do not believe in peace. They are now fighting against the government from within. After causing chaos, they now resort to the court,” he told this reporter.The major crack has, however, been compounded by a treaty based union, a proposal championed mostly by CUF politicians. These have, for a long time, been pushing for the breakdown of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
All CUF ministers in the GNU support the move while some CCM ministers allied to a top official in the GNU do not want to hear anything about the proposal. They consider it to be CUF’s way of realising its dream of breaking the Union with Tanzania Mainland.A minister, who declined to be named, told The Citizen that the official was not happy with the way President Ali Mohamed Shein handles the group which is seeking the so-called treaty based union.“The official believes it is the Zanzibar President who has given them room to do all these in the name of campaigning for Zanzibar sovereignty,” he said. A committee of six people spearheading the secession had forwarded proposals to the President, who blessed them before directing that they should be taken to the people for endorsement.The President has on several occasions been quoted as urging members of the public to freely give their opinions to the Constitutional Review Commission, saying the government would do nothing, but abide by their wishes.Full report in Political Platform magazine inside
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