UVCCM chairman Benno Malisa

CCM Youth Organisation (UVCCM) officials have taken up the chaos ensuing in Zanzibar late last week as arising from the fact that religious preaching groups have now started operating as political parties.

UVCCM chairman Benno Malisa  said here yesterday when opening a two-day meeting of the National Governing Council of UVCCM, where he said that the session would deliberate on available means of ensuring that the late Saturday incidents in the Isles aren’t repeated.

A campaign to break up the Union, to harm the peace has come up, so we need to figure out how to make sure that these things come to an end, he said, cautioning that those whose vocation is to preach in religious gatherings are now openly doing politics.

He also said UVCCM was readying itself to ensure that it puts off political wildfire put up by opposition parties, noting the annual meeting of the governing council shall ensure that it responds to attacks of the opposition. They have been going around the country promulgating political positions that are based on lies and sedition, he said.

He said UVCCM members need to work around the clock since by staying quiet this gives opposition parties wider space to spread their policy positions to the people, positions which are riddled with falsehoods.

He praised CCM chairman President Jakaya Kikwete for giving leadership positions to youths whenever they have been available.

Welc oming Malisa, UVCCM secretary general Martin Shigela said the meeting’s agenda includes an overview of the political situation, political trends in Zanzibar as well as a reconciliation report on UVCCM conflicts by a team led by Hussein Bashe.

Still another item on the agenda is the process of gathering of views on a new constitution and preparations for general elections both in UVCCCM and in CCM itself, he added.