News

Karume: Referendum inevitable, Tanzania Standard (2008)

ZANZIBAR President Amani Abeid Karume maintained yesterday that a referendum was inevitable in deciding the political destiny of the Isles.

Private contestants for presidency barred, Daily News (2008)

The Attorney General (AG) has gone back to the High Court to start another process to challenge the court’s decision of allowing ordinary Tanzanian citizens to contest in both presidential and parliamentary seats as private candidates during elections.

CUF: Karume remarks could undermine muafaka initiative, IPP Media (2008)

The Civic United Front (CUF) has warned Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume against discouraging Union President Jakaya Kikwete in his efforts to find a lasting solution to the current political impasse in the Isles.

Talks on Isles political stalemate to resume soon

TALKS between two rival political parties – the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and Civic United Front on the political situation in Zanzibar -- will soon resume after stalling for some six months.

Electoral discontent sign of refusal by some African countries to change, DailyNews (2009)

The growth of democracy in Tanzania has arguably been tarnished by conflicts caused by disagreement on results from all past post-multi-party elections. Zanzibar has been the main bone of contention as far as political disagreements in the United Republic are concerned, triggering off both local and international concern. Several interventions at both at local and international scenes , such as the popular ‘MUAFAKA’ talks have been taking place to reduce tension and re-shape the democratic process.

Karume: No elections next year in Zanzibar if..., The Citizen (2009)

The President of Zanzibar announced that there will be no elections in Zanzibar if all eligible voters are not registered. This announcement came after claims were made by hundreds of supporters of the opposition Civic United Front in Pemba that they had not been registered because they don't hold Zanzibari residency ID cards.

CUF: Postpone Zanzibar elections, The Citizen (2010)

The opposition Civic United Front has called for postponement of the Zanzibar election scheduled for October this year for at least two years, so that peace initiatives could be consolidated. The CUF leader Maalim Seif has said that Zanzibar problems have a root in elections and therefore problems should be solved before elections take place. He also appealed to President Karume to accept the extension of presidential term for another two years so that peace initiative gets a chance.

Zanzibar: I'm running again for presidency, says Seif, The Citizen (2010)

The Civic United Front (CUF) secretary-general, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad, has declared his intention to contest the Zanzibar presidency in the October elections.

Zanzibar to hold July 31 election on unity government, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on the decision of Zanzibar authorities to hold elections and a referendum on July 31. Voters will vote a proposal to change the constitution and form a unity government. The next presidential elections, on the other hand, are scheduled for October.

All set for Zanzibar unity referendum, The Daily News (2010)

This article reports on updates on the referendum in Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that everything is ready to conduct the referendum on the proposed Government of National Unity. Awareness campaign have been carried out successfully by local NGOs. The UNDP's Election Support Programme supported ZEC with financial aid, making it possible for the country to hold its first referendum.

Karume talks tough ahead of Zanzibar vote, The Citizen (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates for the upcoming polls in Zanzibar. The President, Amani Abeid Karume, launched a warning to all candidates and people who will be fomenting chaos during the polling. As am matter of fact, observers reported that a few members of the ruling CCM party are intimidating the population in order to reject the proposed government of national unity in tomorrow’s referendum.

Zanzibar approves power-sharing in referendum, VOA (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates from Zanzibar Saturday's referendum. Election officials announced that two-thirds of the voters approved the idea of a unity government: ministries will be divided proportionally between the two main parties and there will be two vice presidents. No major accident was reported during the elections.

Tanzania's Zanzibar votes on power-sharing change, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on election day in Zanzibar. On Saturday Tanzania's semi-autonomous region, Zanzibar, voted on a referendum to change the constitution to form a coalition government. Voting operations were carried out peacefully and early results started coming out on early on Sunday.

Zanzibar:SADC warns on effects of unfair polls, The Citizen (2010)

This articles talks about the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that issued a warning that it would be difficult to avoid political conflict in Zanzibar if the October 31 General Election will not be free and fair.