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Karume resurrects Z’bar OIC agenda
2006-11-04 09:06:40
By Mwinyi Sadallah, Zanzibar
Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume has said it is vital for Zanzibar to join the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).
Earlier moves by his predecessor, Dr Salmin Amour on the same issue, did not bear fruit.
Speaking during a media conference yesterday, Karume said it was prudent for Zanzibar to join the OIC not as a country, but as part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
”In my considered view, I think it is wise for Zanzibar to join OIC not as a state, but as part of the Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika,” he said.
He said the issue of joining the OIC was still pending in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, where experts were working on it.
He said there were many advantages to be enjoyed if isles joined OIC through the United Republic of Tanzania.
He said despite the chronic concerns about Union problems, there had been remarkable achievements registered during all years of its existence.
”There has been greater productivity and gain than setbacks since 1964 when the Union was formed. The people of Zanzibar have gained a lot from the Union,” Karume said.
He however, said that the Union’s concerns could not be tackled easily as they were caused by changes triggered by global development of science and technology.
He also said that there had been remarkable achievements resulting from the formation of Joint Finance Council which tackles the problem of resource allocation.
Karume further commended the current procedure of routine consultations among national leaders from both parts of the Union, Premier Edward Lowassa and Chief Minister of Zanzibar, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha.
He appealed to Zanzibaris to shun people who stir religious sentiments because they are detrimental to peace, unity and security.
Karume issued the warning following the rise of a religious group known as Hizbu Tahriri.
He said while it was vital to uphold freedom of worship, it was also important to respect the religious denomination of others, so as to maintain peace and unity.
An earlier move to have Zanzibar join the OIC several years ago provoked a reaction among certain sectors of the Mainland population, who said that the constitution states that Tanzania is a secular state and therefore cannot join regional religious groupings as a state.
The debate occurred during the tenure of office of Karume’s predecessor, Dr Salmin Amour.
The Union government, under former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, ended up abandoning the move.
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