THE government of national unity in Zanzibar came as a surprise to many who did not favour a peaceful approach to end the political standoff between the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the Civic United Front (CUF) parties.
The Doubting Thomases are many in this world, but they have to read signs of the time. When the party which branded CUF as CCM-B were castigating their rivals that what they have done to sign an Accord to form a GNU was wrong, it raised people’s eyebrows not only in the country but to the world at large.
It was clear that such criticisms were not only directed to CUF but also to those who supported the peaceful means to settle the political conflict in Zanzibar, including the international community. It was clear that the Zanzibaris and the Citizens of Tanzania who wish well for the nation admired the bold steps and courageous decisions taken by the two leaders of CCM and CUF to end the impasse.
The two leaders whose names have gone down to the history of this country are none other than the former president of Zanzibar Amani Abeid Karume and Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad. The proponents of the GNU say openly that whoever does not want to recognize these leaders’ contribution to the peace and stability of Zanzibar and the union should understand that history will judge them accordingly.
Recently when contributing in the House of Representative Ms Zakiya Omar Juma (CUF), said that she had never thought that efforts of the Committee would receive recognition and appreciation of such magnitude to the extent of receiving the Martin Luther Award. “That was a strong message for those who were undermining the achievements of the GNU. Nothing can be done now to reverse the situation, except the will of the people of Zanzibar,” she said. It was very clear that the international community was convinced that the approach pursued by the two parties in settling Zanzibar impasse was a very civilized way of solving problem.
The US ambassador to Tanzania, Alfonso Lenhardt said recently when conferring the Martin Luther King Award to the “Committee of Six” who spearheaded the government of National unity in Zanzibar, that the reconciliation negotiation framework that gave birth to the new government structure in Zanzibar was the most ideal approach to promote democracy in the country. He further said that :
“ I am pleased that this year’s Dr Martin Luther Drum Major for Justice Award goes to the members of the Committee of Six for their historic contributions to advancing the cause of political reconciliation in Zanzibar.” He praised the six, including the former Chairman of the Committee, Mr Ali Mzee Ali (CCM), Ms Zakiya Omar Juma (CUF), Co-chair Mr Abubakar Khamis Bakery (CUF), Mr Ali Abdalla Ali (CCM), Nassor Ahmed Mazrui (CUF)and Haji Omar Kheir (CCM) who went through ordeals and stressful moments to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections.
“This government reflects the will of the people of Zanzibar,” he said, adding that the success of this Committee is evident in the success of the referendum, general elections and the government of National Unity. He further said that Martin Luther King Once said, “ A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” Awarding the committee members is one of the ways to support the bold steps and courageous promise of the new government of National Unity, recognizing that this was not achieved after the handshake of politicians.
“This is the result of teamwork with dedicated bipartisan group of patriots who put aside party politics to implement reconciliation,” said the ambassador. The Committee of Six was set up in March 2010 after Zanzibar’s House of Representatives adopted a resolution that laid out the framework for a Government of National Unity, that also required a referendum to ask the people of Zanzibar if they wanted to amend the constitution in that regard. The ambassador quoted Dr King:
“Real courage is not just taking the first step, but taking the first step when you cannot see the step!” He also said that a referendum and a peaceful, well-run election might be routine and commonplace elsewhere, but in Zanzibar, where every election season in the past was marred by political violence, it was without precedent.
He further said that since the first-ever election under the British mandate in 1957, politics had always been violent in Zanzibar. “The situation is no more, as the cycle has been broken in favour of peace—in a large part, thanks to the efforts of the “Committee of Six”,” he remarked. He said probably the most important aspect of the new amendments to the constitution is the provision requiring a referendum to make further changes.
“That has opened the doors for Zanzibaris to be more directly involved in decision making on issues of crucial importance,” he said. He said that as the new government of National Unity continues its work towards establishing a shared vision that takes into consideration all political views as it shapes consensus on a common programme of action.
“I assure you that America will do its part, even in these times of financial hardship, we will continue our robust support in the key areas that matter to everyone: agriculture, education, health, power and infrastructure,” he said. He mentioned that the 100 Megawatt power line to Unguja is on track for completion next year.
Also the Pemba 35 kilometre road project was on track too, he said. “Our efforts on disease eradication will continue. We have set goal to bring computerization to every primary school. Later this week, I am going to Zanzibar to open up a new school in Bopwe and a new clinic at Camp Ali Hamisi, both in Pemba. In his acceptance remarks on behalf of the “Committee of Six” and the whole nation, the former Chairman of the House of Representatives who headed the Committee, Mr Ali Mzee Ali said that the able leadership of the Zanzibar leaders both CCM and CUF were able to read the signs of time to avoid the revolutions that were taking place in North Africa.
“Through the four elections that were characterized by violence it was enough an insight for our leaders to acquire vision that has saved the country from political turmoil,” he said. What has served Zanzibar is that vision of allowing change of presidency after every ten years, he said. “It is unfortunate to see that leaders who are facing unprecedented riots and revolutions have continued to cling into power for over 50 years,” he said.
He also called upon countries that they were going through such political upheaval to come and learn the ideal way of achieving democracy in Zanzibar. “Zanzibar is already an institution and a model of democracy for other countries to emulate,” he said. He said that the Legacy and vision of the late Abeid Amani Karume which was a concrete foundation of the government of national unity had always underscored the importance of equality, reconciliation and unity in Zanzibar.
He quoted the presidential decree that was assented by the Late founder of the Zanzibar revolution in February 25, 1964: “ the constitution stipulated provision for equality, reconciliation and unity of Zanzibar.
But why this day is celebrated by the American people. It is what the recipients of this Award are also making in the history of Tanzania. Many analyst believe that if Zanzibar had not taken this bold decision to work out a government of national unity, it would have been a disaster. Some skeptics of this reconciliation negotiation framework should not forget that it is easily said than done, for some one to rubbish other people’s efforts.
What appeared to be not significant in the eyes of Americans skeptics regarding people's freedoms, exactly two months before he was assassinated in 1968, the Rev Dr King preached a sermon the Drum Major Instinct, in which he said: “If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral.
And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long…… I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity… Yes, If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, peace, righteousness….
'' Today these inspirational words are serving the lives of so many people in the world as it has become a model of resolving conflicts and historical landmark not only in delivering peace and democracy in the United States but all over the world. The same could apply to the ‘Committee of Six’ who have become an icon of peace in Africa and world at large.
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