Othman meets Police chief, calls for lasting peace ahead of Zanzibar elections

Unguja. ACT-Wazalendo national chairperson and Zanzibar First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, on Friday, September 5, 2025, held talks with Zanzibar Police Commissioner (CP) Kombo Khamis Kombo, calling for lasting peace and justice as the Isles prepare for the October General Election.

The meeting, held at the Zanzibar Police Headquarters in Ziwani, was part of Mr Othman’s tour to engage political leaders, security agencies, and other stakeholders on the state of politics and his party’s efforts to promote stability before and after the polls.

Mr Othman stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved if state authorities fulfilled their responsibilities fairly and without political bias.

He reminded leaders that justice and equality for all citizens were non-negotiable.

“Despite sabotage and the suffering endured by innocent citizens, we have resolved to do everything possible to restore peace in our country, even though some leaders behave as if this does not concern them,” he said.

The ACT-Wazalendo leader revealed that his party had signed a written agreement with the President of Zanzibar committing to key measures for reconciliation.

These, he said, included forming an independent Commission of Inquiry, ensuring an election system free from violence, and establishing a permanent National Reconciliation Commission.

He warned that failure to act could push citizens into desperate measures. “We have done our best. The only option left, though not a good one, would be for citizens to conclude that to get their rights, they must fight. That is the direction we are heading unless things change,” he cautioned.

During the talks, Othman handed CP Kombo a report documenting killings of citizens during previous elections, including the 2020 polls.

He said his party joined the Government of National Unity (GNU) precisely to address such injustices.

Other ACT-Wazalendo leaders echoed the call for reforms. Deputy chairperson Ismail Jussa Ladhu said reconciliation efforts had spared Zanzibar from sliding into chaos.

“Although we have been portrayed as troublemakers, the foundation of reconciliation we laid helped prevent this nation from turmoil,” he said.

Zanzibar Health Minister and ACT-Wazalendo central committee member Nassor Ahmed Mazrui added that his party’s main demand was a police force guided by justice and integrity.

Party publicity secretary Salim Bimani accused some forces of sabotaging reconciliation efforts, urging the police not to be drawn into political manipulation.

For his part, CP Kombo welcomed the dialogue, describing peace as a “national treasure.” He praised the current calm ahead of the October polls and pledged that the Police Force would safeguard it.

“As law enforcers, we believe we all share this responsibility. Let us make every effort and work together. We believe there is life after the elections,” he said.

Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, DCP Zuberi Chembera, echoed the commissioner’s remarks, pledging that the force would act with professionalism to ensure peace and harmony throughout the election process.

Othman was accompanied by senior ACT-Wazalendo officials, including the party’s deputy secretary for human rights, Ms Pavu Juma Abdalla.