ACT-Wazalendo chairman outlines path to peace and national unity

Unguja. The opposition party ACT-Wazalendo national chairman, Othman Masoud Othman, has stated that his party has shown the way how to achieving true peace.

He emphasised that it is now up to authorities and institutions to fulfill their roles in protecting this vital national asset.

Speaking on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the opening of the ACT-Wazalendo Western "A" Youth Conference at Abla Hall in Bet-ras, Mjini-Magharib, Unguja.

He reflected on the sacrifices made by the party’s leadership, including the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the party’s founder, and others who faced intense challenges and persecution.

Despite these difficulties, he said the leaders remained committed to guiding the people, especially the youth, and restoring peace and stability amid decades of oppression.

Othman stressed that this has been made possible due to the wisdom and foresight of ACT-Wazalendo's leadership, which has always prioritized national stability.

He further explained, “To resolve conflicts and achieve lasting peace, our party's leaders have been in dialogue with our counterparts in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) since December 8, 2020. However, they have yet to respond or show any willingness to engage.”

Othman also expressed concern over the impact of misleading youth, stating, “When young people are deceived and prevented from thinking critically about their rights, it is as if they are being killed while still alive.”

He called on the youth to fight for their country so that everyone could live with dignity, peace, and prosperity.

He lamented that many young people in Zanzibar have lost hope and are living in conditions of humiliation in a country that is abundantly endowed in resources. He pointed out that there are vast untapped opportunities that could fuel the country's development.

“Zanzibar is our home, and we have nowhere else to go. What we must focus on now is pushing for meaningful reforms that will ensure a future built on respect, equality, and the full sovereignty of our nation,” Othman stated.

At the conference, youth leaders, including the Chairman of the Western "A" Youth Region, Abdallah Haji Shaame, and National Youth Secretary Muhamed Khamis Busara, expressed their frustration over the country's economic situation.

They noted, “For over 60 years, despite Zanzibar's vast resources, a large group of young people has faced unemployment and lacks access to basic infrastructure.” They urged their fellow youth across the nation to stop being misled and to join ACT-Wazalendo in the fight for genuine change.

The Deputy Secretary General of ACT-Wazalendo Zanzibar, Omar Ali Shehe, who is also the former Deputy Secretary General of Zanzibar and current Minister of Health, along with prominent party leader Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, affirmed that ACT-Wazalendo offers a true alternative for the country’s development, based on principles of justice and integrity.

They praised Othman Masoud for his commitment to Zanzibar and its people and urged the youth to strengthen their resolve ahead of the 2025 General Elections, which they described as a crucial moment for democratic reform.

“ACT-Wazalendo is the alternative that will take this country forward toward true respect and development for all its people,” Shehe and Mazrui declared, highlighting the party’s strong and visionary leadership under Othman Masoud.

The leaders unanimously recognized Othman as a leader who is deeply committed to the welfare of Zanzibar and its citizens. They encouraged the youth to unite and prepare for the upcoming general elections, which they believe will be the key to achieving significant democratic reforms in the country.

The 9th Conference, part of a series of youth-focused forums across the country, carried the theme "Youth Participation in Political Struggles Leading to the 2025 General Elections." The conference concluded with remarks by the Deputy Chairman of ACT-Wazalendo Zanzibar, Ismail Jussa.

Leaders from various levels of the party, including members of the Central Committee and the National Executive Council, were present at the event, led by the National Director of Communications and Publicity, Salim Abdallah Bimani.