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Hamad calls for patience over Isles `conflict` talks
2007-11-26 10:04:25
By Mwinyi Sadallah, Pemba
Opposition Civic United Front Secretary General Seif Shariff Hamad has called for patience and understanding among Zanzibaris, saying negotiations that meant to end the political impasse will be concluded soon.
The one-time Isles chief minister told a rally at Pemba Island`s Chokocho groins at the weekend that
The outcome of the protracted talks between his party and the ruling CCM will give everyone in the Isles reason to smile.
`These negotiations are meant to benefit all residents of the Isles and everyone should be smiling soon after the consensus reached is made public,` `Maalim` Hamad declared at the rally, part of a tour of 18 CUF constituencies in the Isles by the party’s top leadership.
He said he saw the talks concluded and its outcome made public by early January next year.
The CUF secretary general told the rally that it would be to everyone`s good that the negotiations end the existing political wrangles in the Isles once and for all.
He hailed President Jakaya Kikwete for demonstrating `unswerving commitment to resolving these long-running political squabbles which have created chaos in the Isles`.
`As responsible party leaders interested in seeing peace and tranquility prevailing in the country, we have agreed to proceed with the talks for the benefit of all Zanzibaris after a mid-stream stalemate. The talks seek to reach a lasting solution to our political differences and spare the country needless bloodshed,` he declared.
Hamad explained that CUF had gone out of its way to seek a peaceful resolution of the deadlock `because we understand that extinguishing a fire is much more difficult than preventing one from erupting`.
However, he said time had come for Government leaders to get more focused on issues that can strengthen national unity and ensure equal treatment for all Zanzibaris.
He said this basing on allegations that there were indications of segregation of some Unguja and Pemba residents in the Isles` employment sector `which the Government ought to address urgently`.
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