SHAMHUNA TO VOTE FOR NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT.

Zanzibar — The formation of a unity government in Zanzibar, yesterday received support from another influential Zanzibar Cabinet member, Mr Ali Juma Shamhuna.

Mr Shamhuna who is the minister for Information, Sports and Culture, told reporters in his office that he fully supports the recent agreement between President Amani Abeid Karume and Civic United Front secretary general and consequent agreement to end political stalemate in the Isles.

He becomes the second minister in Zanzibar to declare his support for the formation of a unity government.

A private motion which seek to incorporate this in the Zanzibar Constitution, has already been presented by the leader of officials opposition in the House of Representatives, Mr Abubakar Khamis Bakary. It now waiting a decision by the Speaker, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho, if it will be discussed when the House enters its second week of business today.

Last week, the minister for Water, Works, Energy and Lands, Mr Mansoor Yusuf Himid, was the first minister to publicly declare his support to the private motion, saying it was the best way of addressing Zanzibar's persistent political wrangles.

Mr Shamhuma, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, said yesterday that he will also support the private motion as it seeks formation of a unity government. He said formation of a unity government was a decision reached by CCM National Executive Committee (NEC) during its March 2008 meeting held in Butiama.

"If the private motion focuses on the formation of a unity government, I am going to support it because that is what we in CCM decided in Butiama. But it should be recalled that we agreed this should be decided by the people. If there are any other changes we should discuss them in our party before reaching a common position," he said.

Mr Shamhuna statement come at a time when CCM leaders are locked in series of top meetings to deliberate on the recent developments in the Zanzibar political situation.

Reports from within the ruling part said the CUF agenda to extend the presidential term and the formation of a unity government, are the main agendas of the ruling party meetings. Yesterday, CCM had to cancel its Central Committee meeting in order to allow the special committee on Zanzibar to meet.

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Meanwhile, CUF yesterday refuted media reports that the party has already started to line up its Cabinet positions in the new inclusive government. A statement issued by CUF director for Publicity and Public Relations, Mr Salim Bimani, said the political reconciliation in Zanzibar was not a CUF agenda per se as it involves all Zanzibaris.

"CUF has not planned any celebrations or a line up of Cabinet ministers because these are minor issues preoccupying the interests of the people which CUF focuses on," said Mr Bimani.

He said those who think that the on going development are beneficial to CUF, are missing the point as peace and harmonisation in Zanzibar was for every Zanzibaris and not CUF or CCM alone.