FORMER Prime Minister Judge (rtd) Joseph Warioba has demanded that cementing the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar requires that leaders speak more about Tanzania than showing there are two different countries.

The former premier fielded questions at a press conference at his residence, urging that government officials on both sides enhance coordination on policy matters even if the sector at issue is not a union matter.

In a wide ranging interview in Dar es Salaam on the 60 years of the union being marked next Friday, he said that the general public was not complaining about the union.

“They complain about government structures therefore we need to find a way to address the matter,” he said, noting that the union has helped to build unity and co-existence among the people, thus pushing development efforts.

“We have spent a lot of time speaking on the power of one country, forgetting that this is a united country,” he said, citing the Indian Union where the states have plenty of autonomy but they prioritise India.

Leaders should consider refraining from showing the general public the powers of one part of the union and should instead prioritise the interests of Tanzania, he emphasised.

Similarly, leaders should strive to make the people of the two countries believe they are Tanzanians first instead of looking at which part of the union they come from, he stated, seeing the next 60 years as focused on cementing the union by addressing challenges making life difficult for the general public.

“Even in economic planning, the two sides should work together instead of leaving either side to implement its own plans,” he said, citing tourism as an area where the two sides can work together.

This can include exchanging tourists wishing to visit beaches or ancient buildings and those who want to visit national parks.

Laws that need to be changed in Zanzibar include electoral laws which allow a Zanzibar to vote if he is residing in the Isles for three years, not less, underlining that currently the union is strong. People are still in love with the union despite a few challenges, he emphasized. 

“Let us focus on citizens’ concerns and leave aside other things as there are too many words on Union issues. We should not lose focus thinking on issues that do not matter,” the one time attorney general and Justice minister intoned.

Leaders need to focus on strengthening cooperation to bring development to people as this will enable Tanzanians to respect them and feel that they are valued, he added.