Dar es Salaam. After being silent for about two years on ups and downs in Zanzibar politics, former President Amani Abeid Karume on Tuesday night spoke his mind over various issues.
He was giving his farewell speech as the immediate retired Chama Cha Mapinduzi vice chairman at the party’s annual general meeting. The opportunity was provided for outgoing and newly-elected leaders to say a word or two to high ranking party officials.
Among issues the former Zanzibar President Karume touched on were those relating to Union matters and the ongoing constitutional review process, the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the recent Isles fracas that caused a lot of damage to property.
On the Union, he asked people who have been pointing fingers at others giving out their views before the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) to immediately stop and leave it to administer the whole process.
“Since we are democratic, we should be sober and accommodate those who have different views from ours….in this matter we have three types of views on our Union…there are those who think of having a contract Union, a three-tier government in the Union and that of two governments,” he explained.
He said during the process there will be conflicting ideas over which type of Union suits the demands of Tanzanians. He argued that the best way is not to restrict people from discussing it. Instead, he argued, freedom of expression should be given to the people and the CRC will know how to handle the matter.
His statement has come at a time when there are mixed opinions among members of the GNU, with the first vice President, Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad, publicly declaring his support for the contract-type of Union.However, addressing the CCM congress on Monday in Dodoma, Zanzibar Second Vice President Seif Ali Iddi said those using the CRC to comment on the need to restructure the Union were wasting their time.
Stressing on the GNU, Mr Karume, who was much applauded by the well-attended CCM congress reminded delegates and newly elected CCM leaders about the process which led to the GNU’s formation.
He said all Zanzibaris support the GNU and asked leaders to be tolerant by adhering to the will of Zanzibaris. “We formed the GNU after consultative meetings of both CCM and CUF secretary generals aimed at ending the political impasse in the Isles,” he pointed out.
He commended the way both Presidents Dr Ali Mohammed Shein of Zanzibar and Jakaya Kikwete handled what he called ‘activists movement’. He said the fracas in Zanzibar had nothing to do with politics.
No comments:
Post a Comment