CCM puts Karume under supervision over ethics breach

Karume was summoned by the ethics committee for questioning over statements he made on social media, that the party had never legally won elections in Zanzibar and publicly criticizing President Hussein Mwinyi's policies of leasing out islets, something he says will never bear fruit.

Karume also criticizes the manner in which the party’s presidential candidate was chosen and objects to the relocation of residents of Kilimani to make way for the construction of a commercial complex and the construction of the Amani Stadium, claiming that they violate the procedure.

On June 11,during one of his meetings, CCM's VIce Chairman and  President of Zanzibar Hussein Mwinyi instructed the ethics committee to deal with errand cadres questioning why they were still in the party.

“The time has come for the ethics committee to do its work, what reason do you have to be in this party, if you don’t like the party leave! Go and say those words when you are outside the party, you even question the party’s victory!” he told supporters.

According to letter signed by the Secretary of CCM, Tunguu Sharifa Maabadi Othman, the party has given Mr Karume a warning for violating the party's ethics.

"Among other things, the session was briefed by the ethics committee about the questioning conducted on Ali Abeid Karume; he admitted his mistakes and apologised in that session, and the committee has decided to give him a warning for violating the ethics of our party," reads part of the letter.

Ms Sharifa admitted they had served Mr Karume the warning letter.

But Mr Karume denied receiving any such communication from the party’s hierarchy since he was summoned a couple of weeks ago.

According to him, he had also seen a copy of the said letter on social media platforms and admitted that should it reach him, he would respect the directives of the party.

He added that the party had advised him to address his concerns through the district secretary and not any other person.

Ambassador Karume was questioned by the ethics committee of the Mwera Branch, the ethics committee of Tunguu State, and the ethics committee of the Central District.

The letter that was served to Karume is in accordance with the principles of leadership and ethics of CCM and its community of 2021, article (8), subsection (a) (ii).

A copy of the letter went to the Secretary of CCM Central District and the Secretary of CCM South Unguja Region.

According to the rules, a member who violates the party's ethics can be served a warning, a severe warning, or expelled from membership with a specific period of supervision starting at three months, six months, or one year.

One analyst within the party who preferred animosity said if he did not show any remorse during that period, the district committee would forward recommendations to the Regional committee for further disciplinary action.

"One of the recommendations could be expulsion from the party," he said.

Speaking to this newspaper, a political analyst in Zanzibar, Ali Makame, said the action taken by the party is right because the goal of every party is to hold on to power, but there are procedures to follow when addressing concerns within the party.

"When you look at this, Karume is a son of the founding father of this nation and this party, so he knows a lot about the weaknesses and strengths of the party, but to come out in public and expose such issues is not polite; he should use the party's procedure. When you go out and start criticizing, it becomes misconduct," he said.

However, he advised that there is a need for senior leaders to be transparent when in charge of national interests in order to avoid such conflicts and wait for people or members to speak in public before they come forward with counter arguments and explanations when damage has already been done.

He added: This could cause him inconveniences within the party, but in other circles he may look like a hero because he spoke his mind in the open given his long-time experience within the party.