ZANZIBAR: Masked soldiers on patrol as Shein is sworn in today

• The government says security forces have been put on high alert to deal with any trouble makers

Security is still extra-tight in Zanzibar ahead of today’s inauguration of president-elect Ali Mohamed Shein after Sunday’s disputed election rerun, with masked soldiers patrolling the streets in force to keep the peace.

The unusual sight of the heavily-armed combatants in apparent camouflage is part of the huge security operation mounted for Shein’s swearing-in ceremony expected to be held at the Amani Abeid Karume stadium.

Witnesses said the masked forces first appeared on the streets in the immediate run-up to Sunday’s polling exercise which was boycotted by the main opposition Civic United Front (CUF) party. 

The faceless soldiers nicknamed ‘zombies’ have since become a source of both fascination and fear among locals in the sleepy archipelago, according to the witnesses.
“Why are these soldiers wearing masks? … what are they hiding?”  queried one local merchant along Zanzibar’s usually bustling - but deserted since Sunday - Darajani Street.

Security was scaled up across Unguja and Pemba days before the tensely-awaited March 20 polling day, with police and TPDF (army) reinforcements landing en masse in the islands in the wake of a spate of sporadic pre-election bombings.

One of the explosions targeted the home of a Zanzibar police commissioner and police said they have arrested more than 70 suspects linked to acts of violence.

The move to deploy a heavy presence of security forces in the islands was roundly criticized by CUF which accused the government of transforming Zanzibar into a police state.

Home Affairs minister Charles Kitwanga asserted yesterday that although the election itself went peacefully, the security forces will stay put on the isles “until we are satisfied that the situation is back to normal.” 

Kitwanga made the remarks in a briefing to journalists at the Unguja police headquarters on the overall security situation in Zanzibar.

The minister warned local residents against provoking the security men or engaging in any acts of violence while they were on patrol, saying any perceived troublemakers will not be spared.

When asked when the forces might be recalled to their headquarters in the mainland, Kitwanga said he was not in a position to divulge such information for security reasons.

He confirmed that security would be even tighter at today’s swearing-in ceremony for Shein, with President John Magufuli among the dignitaries expected to be in attendance.

In the absence of any substantial opposition following CUF’s boycott, Shein won the election rerun by a “landslide”, according to the results announced on Monday by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC). 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN