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CUF: Our goal is fresh elections, not unity government
2006-11-12 10:12:51
By Correspondent Romana Mallya
The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) has repeated its demand for fresh elections in Zanzibar under the supervision of the international community.
That, says CUF Secretary-General Seif Shariff Hamad, is the party’s pressing goal and not the formation of a government of national unity in the isles.
Seif made the remarks at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam, at a rally that climaxed a peaceful, officially sanctioned procession.
The procession was double-pronged: to credit sentiments expressed by Union President Jakaya Kikwete that Zanzibar was beset by a political crack, and to fault his Isles’ counterpart, President Aman Karume, that there was none.
Seif told the audience that Karume’s sentiments could back-track Tanzanians to the tension and confrontations of the past.
He said peace had lately prevailed in the country because of the people’s confidence in President Kikwete, who had pledged to address the Zanzibar crisis.
The CUF leader said the people had been disillusioned in the wake of the sentiments by the Zanzibar president who ruled out prospects of a unity government.
Seif said Karume’s declaration was uncalled for since CUF had not made demands for such a government, but that, on the contrary, it has been pressing for fresh elections held under the auspices of the international community and not the ruling CCM.
He pointed out, however, that he was ready to work with any leader for the sake of restoring peace that had vanished from the isles for a long time.
Seif reminded listeners that even the immediate former Union president, Benjamin Mkapa, had made references to the Zanzibar political crisis that he said had been denying him sound sleeop.
Among those who attended the rally were the Tanzania Labour Party National Chairman, Augustine Mrema and the Secretary-General of NCCR-Mageuzi, Polisya Mwaiseje. The CUF National Chairman, Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, is on a trip to Morocco.
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