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`Fast-tracked East African Federation will chock Z`bar`
2007-05-07 09:16:22
By Abdullah Salehe
It is now 43 years since Zanzibar and Tanganyika formed what is now called the Union of the Republic of Tanzania. While the latter seems to be braving the storms of the said union, the former seems to have a handful of problems on this score.
And while Zanzibar still thinks of ways to solve what it sees as a myriad of problems between the two brothers, another issue has squeezed itself in, that of the East African Federation, whose policy makers want it formalised in the fastest possible time.
Indeed, the issue of the EA Federation contemplated to be in position by the year 2010 seems to have overfed into Zanzibar’s mouth. It is being done at a time the Island is struggling to consolidate various political and economic matters.
A closer look-back at Zanzibar`s proclivity in the current politics, particularly that pertaining to the union of Tanzania, will obviously note a certain level of reluctance.
Some of the major scores to this effect include the `unfurling` of the Isles` flag and launching of its own national anthem, etc.
These are just some of the most visible factors which carry with them elements widening the gaps in the union which is now under a fourth government.
For those who remember well, Zanzibar has been doing all it can to join international social, political, cultural, etc, organizations as an independent state and nation.
It is unfortunate that most of such efforts have always been in vain, as it has always and ultimately been found that Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Just to mention a few, Zanzibar attempted some years ago during the second-phase union government to join the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) but failed on grounds that it was part and parcel of the Tanzania government.
It has also made many attempts at joint the Confederation of African Football and the United Nations organisations as a separate entity from the government of Tanzania and all these attempts have ended up in failure.
On the other hand mainland Tanzania has taken a much more sober approach to the issue as it probably nurses no fear about losing anything except gaining something.
The picture might not be all that rosy on the part of Zanzibar which is comprised of two small islands with hardly more than a million people who are divided on the Union, founded under the late Abeid Amani Karume and Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
While there are those insist the the Union remains valid, there are also those who claim this matter runs completely to the contrary to the wishes of the people of Zanzibar.
Dissenting voices claim that the reasons that pushed the then leaders of Zanzibar into uniting with Tanganyika are no longer valid and hence, the muscles which constituted the strength of the union are now weaker than stronger!
So, the current fast move towards formation of an East African Federation, while Zanzibar political and economic situation is still delicate could have negative repercussions on the Isles.
Moves towards the said federation still await finalisation of pertaining small hitches in order to obviate future problems when the federation comes into being.
In this respect, Tanzanians and particularly the people of Zanzibar should be given ample time to recover from the current tide of political and economic recession facing the Isles.
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