CUF yafanya maamuzi mazito

Katibu Mkuu wa Chama Cha Wananchi (CUF), Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, ameponea chupuchupu kupigwa na wafuasi wa chama hicho, baada ya kutangaza rasmi kumtambua Rais Amani Abeid Karume.

Akihutubia mkutano wa hadhara uliofanyika katika viwanja vya Kibandamaiti alisema kwamba Baraza Kuu la Uongozi limekutana na kupitisha uvamuzi wa kumtambua rasmi Rais Karume, ili kutafuta muafaka wa kumaliza mpasuko wa kisiasa wa Zanzibar.

“Mie na Mheshimiwa Karume ndio wenye dhima la kuepusha shari, yasitokee tena matatizo na mazungumzo yetu yamelenga kuimarisha umoja na mshikamano, je, mmekubali kumtambua,” aliwahoji wafuasi wake Maalim Seif na kupokea sauti ya “hatukubali.”

Baada ya tamko hilo la kumtambua Rais Karume, wafuasi CUF walinyanyuka na kuanza kuimba “Hatumtambui hatumtambui Rais Karume,” huku wakisonga mbele ya jukwaa.

Kutokana na hali hiyo, vijana wa ulinzi wa chama hicho walianza kuwarudisha nyuma wafuasi hao, lakini hali iliendelea kuwa mbaya na Maalim Seif kulazimika kukatisha hotuba yake na kwenda kukaa katika jukwaa huku akisindikizwa na walinzi.

Baada ya Maalim Seif kusitisha hotuba Mwenyekiti wa Chama hicho Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba alipanda jukwaani na kuwataka wafuasi hao kuwa watulivu huku akiendelea kuwahutubia lakini hali iliendelea kuchafuka huku wafuasi wengine wa CUF wakianguka vilio na kuwashutumu viongozi wao kuwa ni wasaliti.

“Tumepoteza nguvu zetu tumekuwa vilema leo mnatuambia tumtambue Karume nasema hatukubali kama uongozi umekushindeni ondokeni,” walisikika baadhi ya wafuasi wakipiga kelele katika mkutano huo.

Kabla ya tukio hilo wakati akihutubia, Seif alisema hatua ya kukutana na Rais Karume ilikuja baada ya kukwama kwa mazungumzo ya muafaka hasa katika utekelezaji wa kuundwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa na kuwataka wafuasi wake kuunga mkono azimio hilo.

Maalim Seif alisema baada ya mazungumzo ya muafaka kukwama, Baraza Kuu la Uongozi wa CUF liliweka sharti kuwa hawako tayari kuendelea na mazungumzo hadi hapo Rais Karume atakapokuwa tayari kukutana na Maalim Seif kujadili suala hilo.

Alisema kwamba mazungumzo yao yamepata mafanikio makubwa na matunda yake yataanza kuonekana baada ya miezi sita na kuwataka wafuasi wake kuwa tayari kumtambua Rais Karume.

“Suala la kukutana na Rais Karume haukuwa uamuzi wa Seif kutoka hewani nilikwenda Ikulu kifua mbele kwa kuzingatia maslahi ya nchi yetu,” alisema maalim Seif.

Alisema Zanzibar kwa muda mrefu imepita katika misukosuko ya kisiasa ambayo yamefikia kupoteza maisha ya watu kabla ya Mapinduzi ya mwaka 1964 na baada ya kuanzishwa kwa mfumo wa vyama vingi nchini.

Awali maalim Seif aliwaeleza wafuasi wake kuwa mtu yeyote mwenye akili timamu hawezi kukataa njia ya mazungumzo ya kumaliza matatizo ya kisiasa ya Zanzibar.

Alisema kwamba kumbukumbu zinaonyesha Wazanzibari waliokuwa wakiishi roho juu kutokana na matatizo ya kisiasa tangu mwaka 1957 na kutoa mfano mwaka 1961 watu zaidi ya 68 walipoteza maisha kutokana na matatizo ya uchaguzi.

“Baada ya kukutana na Mheshimiwa Karume, baada ya miezi sita Zanzibar itabadilika kwa nini vijana hadi leo hii hawana kazi,” alihoji Maalim Seif.
Alisema kwamba hatua ya kukutana na rais Karume imekuja wakati muafaka kwa vile tayari viongozi wa CCM Taifa wameshawahi kusema matatizo ya Zanzibar yatatatuliwa na Wazanzibari wenyewe akiwemo Makamo Mwenyekiti wa CCM Pius Msekwa na aliyekuwa Waziri Mkuu wa Tanzania John Samuel Malecela.

Kufuatia vurugu hizo, Profesa Lipumba alisema suala la kumtambua Karume litajadiliwa katika vikao vya ndani ili kuwapa nafasi vijana na akinamama kabla ya kufikiwa muafaka wake.
Hata hivyo, aliwaondoa wasiwasi wafuasi wa CUF kuwa viongozi hawawezi kuwasaliti katika kutetea maslahi ya chama na iwapo itatokea hivyo wako tayari kuwajibika.

“Kumbukeni Maalim Seif amepata matatizo mengi katika kutetea maslahi ya Zanzibar kutokana na tabia yake ya kuweka mbele maslahi ya Zanzibar,” alisema Lipumba huku wafuasi wengi wakiwa hawafuatilii hotuba yake wakiendelea na wimbo wa “Karume hatumtambui Karume hatumtambui,” walisikika wafuasi wakisema.

Baada ya muda viongozi hao walianza kuondoka kwa kutumia njia za vichochoroni kuhofia kushambuliwa na wafuasi waliokuwa na jazba.

Wa kwanza kuondoka alikuwa Lipumba, huku walinzi wake wakiwa wamening’inia mbele ya gari na nyuma. Alifuatiwa na Maalim Seif kupitia njia ya kichochoroni na viongozi wengine walifuatia.

Awali Baraza Kuu la Uongozi lilikutana katika Hoteli ya Mazson Mjini Zanzibar na kupokea taarifa ya mazungumzo ya rais Karume na Seif na kupitisha azimio la kumtambua Rais Karume, ili kukaribisha mazungumzo ya pande hizo mbili ya kutafuta muafaka kabla ya uchaguzi mkuu mwakani.

Hata hivyo waandishi wa habari walishindwa kuwahoji viongozi hao wa kitaifa kufuatia vurugu hizo baada ya walinzi kuwazuia wakidai kutokana na mazingira yaliyojitokeza haitokuwa muafaka wa kufanya mazungumzo nao.
Chama Cha CUF kilitangaza kutomtambua Rais Karume mwaka 2005 kwa madai uchaguzi haukuwa huru na wa haki na kuingia katika mazungumzo ya muafaka lakini walishindwa kufikia kuunda Serikali ya Mseto baada ya CCM kutaka ipigwe kura ya maoni kabla ya kufikia utekelezaji wake kwa vile suala hilo linahusu katiba ya nchi.

CHANZO: NIPASHE JUMAPILI

US Statement on Zanzibar

We welcome the news that the Zanzibar leaders of the isles ’ two major political parties have met to discuss “the need to maintain peace and harmony as well as understanding and cooperation among all Zanzibaris.” We have long called for Zanzibar’s leaders to champion peaceful, constructive and fair politics so that no Zanzibari feels permanently excluded from having a voice in government and no Zanzibari need fear political reprisal. We hope that Zanzibar’s leaders will follow up this meeting with concrete measures to establish a healthy political climate in Zanzibar that promotes good governance and economic development for all. A first step would be for leaders to instruct their supporters to desist from violence. We share the vision of the two leaders that if Zanzibar can overcome its several decades of bitter political divisions, then the creative, dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit of the Zanzibari people will be unleashed for the
benefit of all Zanzibaris, their fellow Tanzanians and indeed all of East Africa and beyond. Zanzibar has made significant contributions to world culture. It is time for Zanzibaris once again to show the world what they can achieve.

CUF defends decision to recognise President Karume

By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar

THE opposition Civic United Front (CUF) said today that there was no need for endless Muafaka talks as only positive actions and bold decisions would resolve the political impasse in Zanzibar.

The party has also urged its members to support their leaders following their decision to recognise Mr Amani Abeid Karume as a legitimate President of Zanzibar, saying the move was the first major step towards finding a lasting solution to the Isles political stalemate. “It is no surprise that people reacted the way they did on Saturday.

It is due to the fact that with political empty promises over a time, they have lost confidence, but this is the challenge we are going to tackle as we have brought in a new baby in the Isles, said the party’s Director of External Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Ismail Jussa.

Mr Jussa was reacting to reported negative response from CUF members and supporters during the party’s rallies in Unguja and Pemba over the weekend in which leaders of the opposition political party announced their recognition of President Karume for the first time since the last general elections four years ago.

Speaking over phone from Pemba today, he said party officials would continue to educate its supporters and members on the importance of the latest move for the future of Zanzibaris.

CUF Secretary General Mr Hamad said, however, that the party had similar rally in Wete in Pemba yesterday and, unlike Saturday’s, the party’s supporters were calm, supportive and eager to learn from the new approach the party has taken.

He said that the difference in the two rallies held so far showed that the move has been received with mixed feelings among Zanzibaris and that the task ahead was to set up a strategic campaign aiming at explaining to its electorate the importance of the new move.

“It is surprising to hear people, asking why now? They should remember that politics is dynamic and we are part of it. The harmony, peace and prosperity of Zanzibaris are more important than the defences we had before,” he said.

Mr Hamad further said that the party has taken that direction fully aware that there were still several political problems in Zanzibar including the recent controversial voters’ registration exercise but added that all that was less important than peace and harmony in the Isles.

He said that the party was also optimistic that the decision would give them a credit come next year’s general elections as the public may witness a diversion of its kind from previous chaotic campaigns to a peaceful one.

The last week’s talks were expected to pave the way for a resumption of negotiations between CUF and CCM over the Mwafaka talks, which stalled in February 2008. The talks were aimed to laying the ground for power sharing in Zanzibar.

The talks stalled after the parties differed on the structure of a government of national unity and how to arrive at such an arrangement. However, the two sides have now agreed to collaborate in pushing the Isles forward.

Mr Hamad told the public rally on Saturday that CUF leaders were pleased with the recent statement by veteran politician John Malecela who suggested that Zanzibar’s political problems could only be resolved by Zanzibaris themselves.

Source: Daily News, 10 Nov. 2009

Optimism permeates Zanzibar politics after CUF’s recognition of Karume

By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR President Amani Abeid Karume has said his recent talks with the Civic United Front Secretary General, Seif Sharrif Hamad, have opened a new chapter in Zanzibar. Mr Karume said following the discussion, conflicts should not be entertained any more and must be replaced by hard work and commitment to develop the islands.

“Zanzibar has a long history of observing peace and stability as inherited from our grandparents. Therefore, there is a strong need to maintain it,” President Karume said in a statement released by the State House here yesterday.

He said that all people including development partners who love to see Zanzibar flourish “will definitely be happy with our efforts to unite Zanzibaris.”

President Karume observed this after his meeting with the outgoing South Africa ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Sindiso Mfenyana, who commended President Karume and Mr Hamad for burying their differences, noting that the gesture should be learned by leaders in other African countries in conflicts.

“Putting behind your political differences means political, economic, and social development in the islands. I commend you for the big move to unite the people,” Mfenyana was quoted as saying when he met President Karume at State House yesterday.

President Karume and Mr Hamad opened a new chapter when they met behind closed doors at State House in Zanzibar last Thursday followed by a dramatic move by CUF leadership announcing recognising Mr Karume as president after four years of friction.

Meanwhile, Mr Hamad has received support from other party leaders such as Mr Ismail Jussa for advocating patience and tolerance after party declaration to recognise Karume last Saturday.

The leaders have conducted a series of meetings with leaders at lower levels trying to clear doubts from a section of CUF supporters who at the beginning did not welcome their leader’s decision.

“We need every CUF supporter and Zanzibaris in general to accept our decision of burying our political differences.

President Karume and Hamad are now committed to see that we live together as one family with no conflicts,” said Jussa to the party youths’ wing in Zanzibar yesterday.

On the other hand, Mr Hamad said that they decided that nothing would come out of sabotaging one another and that Zanzibaris now need to work together to save the “people from the suffering they have gone through since the beginning of struggle for independence in late 1950s.”

Source: Daily News, 12 November 2009

Kikwete applauds CUF’s new stance on Karume

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has commended Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume and Civic United Front (CUF) Secretary General, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad, for their recent meeting that shed more light in resolution of protracted political tension in the Isles.

The Directorate of Presidential Communication said in a statement yesterday that President Kikwete, specifically hailed CUF for recognising President Karume and his government as legitimate authorities elected into office in October 2005.

The president’s remarks comes hardly a week after Mr Hamad and Mr Karume met at the State House in Zanzibar, last Thursday (November 5), where the CUF leader declared his party’s new position on the Isles’ government.

“This is a major step in the right direction, particularly in the ongoing efforts to resolve protracted political tension and mistrust among Zanzibaris and other Tanzanians in general,” the statement sent from Cairo, Egypt, quoted President Kikwete as saying. The president is in Egypt on official tour.

“I profoundly commend the two leaders for their decision that seeks to address interests of the people of Zanzibar and Tanzania in a broader perspective,” he added.

President Kikwete has urged Zanzibaris, all Tanzanians and the international community to encourage and support the two leaders in their historic mission to find lasting solutions that had for long bedevilled the Isles.

“The two leaders need to be encouraged in order to step up efforts in bringing about the desired outcome,” Mr Kikwete said.

He further urged Tanzanians to ignore all those who undermine and disparage good, patriotic and unselfish efforts being made by the two leaders.

“We hope their efforts will lead to our (Tanzanian) goal…where people live in love, peace, unity and solidarity…and no one has fears of any political retribution,” the president stressed.

CCM and CUF have since January 2007, been engaged in dialogue in pursuit of lasting solution to political tension and mistrust among Zanzibaris, particularly supporters of the two rival parties.

Source: Daily News, 12 Nov. 2009