ACT-Wazalendo reacts to role in new Zanzibar GNU
What you need to know:
- ACT-Wazalendo national chairman Seif Shariff Hamad confirmed they had been invited to join the cabinet but had not taken a position yet.
Dar es Salaam. ACT-Wazalendo yesterday said its participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU) would depend on the decision of on-going intra-party consultations.
Meanwhile development stakeholders in the Isles including the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (Zati) and the Tanzania Women Media Association (Tamwa) commended the President for setting tourism free from other sectors and picking a number of women in the cabinet.
In his reaction, ACT-Wazalendo national chairman Seif Shariff Hamad confirmed they had been invited to join the cabinet but had not taken a position yet. “We are still consulting including whether members given parliamentary seats, membership in the House of Representatives and Councillors should take oaths or not. In short, consultations are still under way before a decision is communicated,” he said.
A State University of Zanzibar (Suza) political science lecturer, Prof Ali Makame Ussi commended President Mwinyi’s wisdom to leave vacant positions for the opposition. “However, they will remain vacant for a short time otherwise they will inform the government to fill the positions for citizens to be served.”
University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm) political science lecturer, Prof Bakari Mohamed said election disruptions witnessed this year led to difficulties in GNU formation. He warned that ACT-Wazalendo will lose trust of supporters if they force themselves in the GNU under the better something than nothing basis.
Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (Zati) chairman, Mr Seif Miskry said isolating the tourism sector will attract rapid sectoral growth. “The sector is expected to grow rapidly as it was the situation before Covid-19 provided the responsible minister will be dedicated and focused. Zati pledged increased engagement and cooperation with the government,” he said.
The Tanzania Media Women Association (Tamwa) executive director in Zanzibar, Dr Mzuri Issa Ali said the picking of 30 percent women in the cabinet should be a roadmap to realization of 50/50 gender equality.
She said more women should be appointed as permanent secretaries and RCs. An Economist at the International School of Zanzibar, Mr Hafidh Ali Hafidh said the Economy and Investment and planning dockets offer Dr Mwinyi’s focus of building a vibrant economy.
