UKAWA position on Z’bar political impasse Thursday

THE Coalition of four opposition parties, UKAWA, will make public its stance on Zanzibar political impasse on Thursday.

This was revealed here by UKAWA Co-chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe who doubles as Chadema national chairman. Zanzibar Electoral Commission last week announced that fresh elections in Isles will be held on March 20.

Mr Mbowe was speaking just a day after the coalition held a one-day closed door meeting that brought together Chadema flag bearer in October polls Edward Lowassa, Zanzibar first Vice President Mr Seif Sharif Hamad and all MPs from the coalition.

Mr Mbowe said that they had received detailed report on Zanzibar political situation and all MPs from the coalition reached a common conclusion. “On January 28 there will be an executive committee meeting that will come out with what exactly should be done in regard to Zanzibar political stalemate,” he noted.
He added that Civic United Front (CUF) Central Committee will also issue its stance on the matter which for a number of days has left Zanzibaris in dilemma. Mr Mbowe pointed out that peace cannot exist if democratic principles are not respected, thus it was high time the conflicting parties resolved the stalemate once and for all.

On his part, Malindi MP on CUF ticket Ally Salehe believed that President John Magufuli has mandate to intervene and help resolve the impasse. He said that Saturday’s meeting held in Dodoma gave them confidence and he believed that they will stand united to safeguard their right.

Singida East MP Tundu Lissu said that presidential election cannot be challenged in court and that’s why they were seeking other alternatives. Zanzibar Electoral body had nullified October polls on grounds of being marred with several irregularities.

There have been several attempts to find nonviolent solution to the standoff. President John Magufuli had on different times met with Zanzibar First Vice- President Mr Seif Sharif Hamad and Zanzibar President Dr Ally Mohamed Shein to see how to peacefully end the stalemates.

/Daily News.