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No thawing in CCM-CUF relations in Zanzibar
2006-01-19 09:04:04
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Deep political divisions in Zanzibar showed again yesterday when the Isles House of Representatives elected Deputy House Speaker and members of the budget committee.
As House Speaker Pandu Ameir Kificho announced the outcome of the voting, it became evident that the elections went along party lines as opposed to merit.
A total of 68 members out of 72 members of the House were present during the morning exercise that was conducted by secret ballot to choose Deputy House Speaker, chairperson and three members to join the House Budget Committee.
The ruling CCM 44 members were present, while CUF had 24 out of its 25 members in the House.
The elections were, however, were characterised an atmosphere of camaraderie as opposed to the wrangling the two parties have been steeped in since the October 30 polls that CCM won narrowly.
Kamali Basha Pandu (CCM) and Mohamed Ali Salim (CUF) contested for the deputy speaker’s slot. Pandu emerged winner with 44 votes against Salim’ s 23 votes. One vote was spoiled.
According to Kificho, CCM’s Ali Mzee Ali won will chair House Budget Committee after scooping 44 votes against his opponent Selema Hemed Khamis of CUF, who got 23 votes. One vote was spoiled.
Ali Suleiman Ali, Hamza Hassan Juma and Machano Othman Said, all CCM members were elected to the committee. The 44 CCM members in the House backed each one of them.
CUF’s Abbas Juma Mhunzi, Assa Othman Hamad and the only woman in the race Aziza Nabhani Suleiman, lost after getting 24 votes.
Prior to the elections, the contestants were given a chance to speak and solicit votes.
CUF contestant for the Deputy Speaker was asked if he was capable of performing his duties given that his party does not recognise President Amani Abeid Karume.
In his reply the contestant, Mohammed Ali Salim, said it was his party’s position not to recognise President Karume and that he had no choice but to respect the decision.
The Speaker also read the names of CUF’s Shadow Cabinet, which is composed of the following:
Abubakar Khamis Bakari (Chief Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition), Soud Yussuf Mgeni (Chief Whip), Omar Ali Sheikh (State Minister in Chief Minister s Office), Zakia Omar Juma (State Minister, State House), Abbas Juma Mhunzi (State Minister- Finance and Economic Affairs), and Haji Faki Shaali (State Minister- Constitution and Good governance).
The others are Abdallah Juma Abdallah (State Minister- Regional Administration and Zanzibar Security Units), Mtumwa Kheri (State Minister- Special Projects), Hamad Masoud Hamad (Construction, Lands and Water), Said Ali Mbarouk (Communications and Transport), Rashid Seif Suleiman (Health and Social Welfare), Mohamed Ali Salim (Education and Vocational Training), Assaa Othman Hamad (Agriculture, Livestock and Environment), Aziza Nabhani Suleiman (Youth, Children and Women Development, Najma Khalifani (Information, Culture and Sports), and Muhidin Mohamed Muhidin (Trade, Tourism and Investments).
CUF named its shadow cabinet in the union parliament last week that excluded other opposition parties with representation in parliament.
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