|
Ensure peace in Zanzibar, Raza requests Mkapa
2005-10-03 07:30:23
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Prominent Zanzibar businessman and staunch CCM supporter Mohamed Raza yesterday appealed to President Benjamin Mkapa to use his constitutional powers to make sure Zanzibar remains peaceful during and after the elections.
Speaking to reporters at his Kibweni residence, Raza said: ’It is high time President Mkapa, the Commander-in-Chief, used his powers to control violence in Zanzibar. He is finishing up his term, he must leave us peaceful and democratically stable.’
However, the businessman, who was also an advisor to former Isles president Dr Salmin Amour also challenged political party leaders to adopt political tolerance to allow smooth democratic transformation in the Island.
He said there must be fair play in using public grounds for campaigns rallies, ’no party should be dominant.’
’We may sign as many as possible peace accords, and codes of conducts, but without political will and tolerance it will be a dream to live in peace. Let us collectively be serious,’ Raza said.
He also urged the press to practice responsible journalism and abide by their ethics, and called for religious tolerance among Muslims.
The businessman also appealed to traders to be sympathetic during the month of Ramadhan by not hiking the prices of essential commodities.
During the press conference, Raza said it would be wise for the October 30 general election in Zanzibar to be postponed in order to allow the Zanzibar Muslims majority concentrate on fasting during the Holy month of Ramadhan, which starts this week.
’Since Muslims are the majority in Zanzibar, I think all stakeholders in the Zanzibar elections, including Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), political parties, mainly CCM and CUF, should discuss and postpone the elections until after the holy month and the six-days fast which follows the month,’ he said.
He observed that although the constitution may be a problem: ’I think things can be worked out.’
However, Raza’s reasons for the postponement of Zanzibar polls was contrary to those of the small political parties in Zanzibar who last week suggested on the postponement of this year’s elections because of insecurity.
|
