How Z’bar marked Mapinduzi

Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar yesterday commemorated 52 years of the Revolution which ended the sultanate rule in the middle of a political crisis following the nullification results of last year’s General Election.

Nonetheless, the ceremony, as tradition demands, was painted with pomp and colour from military parades to traditional dances. The ceremony was attended by isles President Ali Mohamed Shein, Union President John Pombe Magufuli, Union Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, among other dignitaries.

The isles descended into crisis on October 28, last year, when the chairman of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), Mr Jecha Salim Jecha, unilaterally nullified the polls. Ever since, Mr Jecha had avoided public appearances, but yesterday he attended the ceremony and was seated only two rows behind the presidents and rubbed shoulders with other dignitaries.

The Isles First Vice President Seif Shariff Hamad and other CUF leaders did not attend the fanfare which turned out to be a predominantly CCM affair. The atmosphere provided a perfect environment for the Isles Second Vice President Ambassador Seif Ali Idd to throw a jab at opposition leaders.

“They thought that by refusing to participate the ceremonies would be hindered; here we are today,” he declared in his short speech before welcoming Dr Shein to address the crowd.

The opposition CUF and ruling CCM formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2010, and since then CUF leaders have been officially taking part in the celebrations, but this year they boycotted the ceremony.

The party maintains that it won in last year’s General Election and strongly rejects a re-run.

Meanwhile, social media went abuzz with users criticising a widely circulated photo of a CCM supporter carrying a placard written “Machotara Hizbu Zanzibar ni Nchi ya Waafrika,” meaning “Coloured people belongs to Zanzibar Nationalist party (the party which had ties with Sultan, and formed the government which was overthrown in the revolution), Zanzibar is a country of (Black) Africans.”

The photo was taken at the Maisara grounds on Monday at the climax of ‘Mapinduzi Cross Country Walk’ which was attended by Dr Shein and Vice President Hassan.

The statement has been condemned as racist and bigotry by social media users, with others suggesting that “Mwalimu Nyerere is turning in his grave,” whenever he sees his party showcasing racist tendencies.

Some of high profile social media users who have condemned the photo is former CCM MP for Bukoba Urban and minister for Natural Resources Khamis Kagasheki, “Is this placard in Tanzania? I can’t believe it.

These are sentiments of people who are bankrupt in the head. This can never be CCM’s standpoint,” he posted on his twitter account.

Kigoma Urban MP and ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe said on his Facebook page that he would be shocked if CCM leaders would not apologise for the placard. “Racial politics are very dangerous; they should be condemned by all.”

The main opposition Chadema strongly condemned the act, saying the placard did not appear by accident.

“This is yet another proof of how CCM, especially in Zanzibar, is orchestrating racism and hate politics.

For a keen follower of Zanzibar politics such a message is not new, the party’s offices in the isles are notorious in drafting and carrying out such hate messages,” reads Chadema’s statement in part.

Late yesterday evening, CCM press officer Daniel Chongolo issued an apology through the party’s official social media sites saying that the was strongly condemning all sorts of racist acts.

“The message is not only carrying racist statements but also contravenes the philosophy and objectives of the revolution pioneers and the founding principles of CCM which advocate for unity and national cohesion,” reads the statement in part.