CUF gives out conditions for Z’bar negotiations to resume

Dar es Salaam. CUF would be ready to resume talks with the ruling CCM over the Zanzibar political stalemate only if the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), CCM, and the government agree to halt ongoing preparations for the March 20 polls rerun.

The CUF secretary general, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad, told reporters yesterday that talks remained the only option for the ongoing political crisis in the Isles.

Mr Hamad was speaking at a news conference soon after an indoor meeting with former Chadema presidential candidate, Mr Edward Lowassa. According to Mr Hamad, the two met to discuss various issues related to the political situation in Zanzibar.

He said his party withdrew from the talks after ZEC decided to announce the election rerun date in the middle of the negotiations involving the two sides. “CUF understands very well what CCM is doing, we cannot continue with talks while our fellows are setting plans for the March 20 election re-run,” he said.

He said as days for the rerun approached, there had been increased threats in the Isles, which included the beating-up of CUF members whose properties were also destroyed.

“I once told President Ali Mohamed Shein and Second Vice President Seif Ali Iddi that there were groups of masked people going around the streets, beating up people, and destroying their properties, but the two leaders said they were not aware of the situation,” he explained.

Mr Hamad asked Zanzibaris to maintain calm, saying violence could not bring about any good.

“We understand how people are suffering, they are being beaten up and harassed, but CUF asks all of them to remain calm, we’re asking them to endure all those pains and stay focused,” said Mr Hamad.

Commenting on whether CUF was ready to resume talks in the presence of officials from Tanzania Mainland or outside the country, Mr Hamad said his party and CCM had failed to reach a consensus on their own.

He insisted that the party would be ready to comment on any form of talks once CCM and ZEC stopped preparations for the rerun.

The CUF boss said all candidates on the CUF ticket had already submitted letters to their returning officers categorically stating that they would not participate in the March 20 rerun. He said the party had also sent its letter to the ZEC explaining its unwillingness to participate in the same.

Mr Lowassa asked top government officials to intervene in the political impasse before it was too late. “Zanzibar is passing through difficult moments, I request the government leaders to intervene in this matter, we still have a room for dialogue,” he said.

According to Mr Lowassa, wisdom and patriotism must be applied to end the Zanzibar political uncertainty.

On January 22, 2015, ZEC announced March 20, 2016, rerun date for the disputed October 25 General Election. ZEC cancelled election results on October 28, 2015, saying the polls were marred by irregularities.

However, one week after the ZEC announced the rerun date, the CUF declared it was not going to take part in it, arguing that it was defilement of democracy and blatant disrespect for the will of the people.

The decision was reached during the party’s governing council closed-door meeting held in Dar es Salaam.

The party maintained that Zanzibaris chose their leaders during the cancelled October 25 General Election by 54 per cent.