All is not well in Zanzibar’s politics as opposition parties in the isles have now come publicly to blame some politicians in the Government of the National Unit (GNU) for having a hand in the recent turmoil that engulfed Unguja recently.
The opposition parties, except Civic United Front (CUF) which forms GNU together with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, claimed that activist movement by Islamic Awakening Forum (Uamsho) is masterminded by some politicians in the GNU in Zanzibar.
Uamsho has all along been campaigning for separatist politics in which its leaders are calling for Zanzibar to separate from the Union.
The opposition parties made the claims in their statement circulated to media yesterday here after they had addressed reporters during a press conference held at Zanzibar Information ( Maelezo).
The parties are Tanzania Democratic Alliance (TADEA), Sauti ya Umma (SAU) National League for Democracy (NLD), and Association of Farmers Party (AFP).
During the fracas that ensued in Unguja on May 26, churches, bars and other property worth millions of shillings were destroyed, including being set ablaze.
Speaking on behalf of the rest parties during the press conference TADEA Secretary General Juma Ali Khatib said Uamsho was just a shadow under which some GNU politicians were taking cover.
“We, as politicians, fully understand that this group is being used as hideout for some politicians serving in the GNU.” he said, adding that such people were waging the campaign without taking into account its repercussions.
He said Uamsho has been receiving funds from external sources to facilitate its campaigns. However, he could neither explicitly name the financial sources nor disclose the name of politicians that he was accusing.
“You don’t need microscopic eyes to find evidence about which political party is involved in this movement or what we are saying here. Strange enough, leaders of this party have never come out publicly to condemn such evil acts,” he added, without disclosing the party.
He called upon the Zanzibar government to ensure such chaos did not repeat itself in the Isles, including reviewing Uamsho’s registration.
Minister of State in the Second Vice President’s Office Mohamed Aboud said state apparatuses were still going on with an investigation into the group.
“Once all those involved in the recent chaos, including identifying its planners, legal measures will be taken against them irrespective of their political status,” he said, adding that the aim is to protect and safeguard peace, tranquility and stability.
Meanwhile, Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohammed Shein on Monday meets religious leaders, in which among the things, peace and stability in the Isles will be on the agenda.
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