Mainlanders in dark on political impasse in Zanzibar: Study

Opposition supporters chant slogans outside the headquarters of the Civic United Front in Zanzibar on October 30, 2015 following the cancellation of the presidential election. PHOTO | FILE  

By REDEMPTA RWEBANGIRA, TEA CORRESPONDENT

Majority of Tanzanians on the mainland are not aware of what was happening in Zanzibar between the October 25 2015 poll result annulment and the March 20 2016 election rerun.

According to research findings by Twaweza, in a research brief titled ‘Union Affairs: Citizens’ Views on Recent Developments in Zanzibar’, the mainlanders, however are aware of political turmoil and would want it resolved.

The brief from on a mobile phone survey called Sauti za Wananchi collected from 1,815 respondents across Mainland Tanzania between March 29 and April 12 2016.

According to results of the survey, there have been disagreement on whether the President elected on rerun poll of March 20 2016 should be recognised as legitimate leader or not.

Aidan Eyakuze, Twaweza Executive Director, said Sauti za Wananchi data show that Mainland Tanzanians have largely absorbed the official version of what happened in Zanzibar, yet they are aware that they are missing the other side of the story.

“A majority of mainland Tanzanians said they knew nothing of what happened in Zanzibar in October 2015. This is a worrying sign of weakness in our Union. If we want to protect and to strengthen it, we all have a duty to stay vigilant about developments in Zanzibar,” Mr Eyakuze said.

Almost 42 per cent of the Tanzanian citizens agree that the President elected on 20 March 2016 should be recognised as legitimate, while only 20 per cent of the Tanzanians think that the re-election was the right step to resolve the crisis.

The brief shows that 53 percent of mainlanders do not know what happened in Zanzibar since the October elections. On the other hand four out of 10 citizens are aware that a re-run took place on March 20 2016.

The ruling party’s position on the matter was reflected on in the citizens’ overall assessment. A substantial majority of 6 out of 10 adults agree with the cancelling of the original results and having a re-run of the election.

However, Mainland citizens are somewhat sympathetic to the opposition position. 39 percent agree with the opposition’s boycott of the re-run election.

There is far less support among Mainland citizens for more conciliatory or opposition focused solutions such as declaring the CUF presidential candidate, Seif Shariff Hamad, the winner of the original October election with only 14 percent agreeing.

13 percent of respondents agreed to a proposition to incorporate Mr Hamad in coalition government while 8percent preferred peace talks.

The March 20 2016 the October 25 2015 general election result was annulled over ‘irregularities’ after CUF presidential candidate had declared to have won; a development that sparked a series of talks between the two rivals - CCM and CUF.

However, in 22 January 2016, Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairman, Jecha Salum Jecha announced an election rerun on March 20, 2016 which saw CCM’s presidential candidate Dr Ali Mohammed Shein retaining power amid boycott from CUF to participate and International observers to oversee it.

The European Union announced recently that it will maintain minimum cooperation with the Isle’s Government due to the development.