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CUF mounts pressure on President Karume's third term
PRESIDENT Amani Abeid KarumeMore News
DAILY NEWS Reporters, 15th January 2010 @ 21:00, Total Comments: 1, Hits: 713
THE Civic United Front (CUF) has mounted pressure on its demand for an extended term of office for Zanzibar President, Amani Abeid Karume and has called for an amendment of the constitution to facilitate the move.
CUF's Director of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr Ismail Jussa, says his party wants an amendment of Section 29 of Zanzibar's constitution to pave way for extension of President Karume's term.
In a telephone interview with the 'Daily News On Saturday' yesterday, Mr Jussa noted that there is a provision in the Zanzibar constitution that allows an extension of a presidential term in certain emergencies.
"This is surely an emergency because we want to maintain peace and order for the welfare of the people of Zanzibar. The constitution should, therefore, be amended to allow President Karume to continue for not more than two years," he noted.
Mr Jussa further noted that such amendment can be done without delay, if leaders in Zanzibar were really committed to promote unity and solidarity.
On why CUF leaders have been in the frontline in the crusade for Mr Karume's term extension, Mr Jussa confirmed that the recent reconciliation between the two parties "was the brainchild of Mr Karume.''
"Mr Karume was the brains behind the reconciliation and he did that beyond his personal and CCM's interests. "No any CCM potential presidential contender (for Zanzibar) has ever commended Mr Karume for such decision. This shows that they're not committed to such initiative," he observed.
The CUF leader pointed out that the move to back the extension was being supported by CUF leaders, members and the majority of Zanzibaris, who want to see peace and solidarity prevail in the isles.
According to him, it is only Mr Karume who has managed to achieve such a breakthrough. He noted that many previous initiatives failed.
The leader of the official opposition in Parliament, Mr Hamad Rashid Mohamed (Wawi-CUF), also backs the move to extend the term, saying the move would sustain the reconciliation.
Naila Majid Jidawi, a prominent Zanzibar politician who has served in different capacities in CUF, argued that there was need to give the two leaders time to finish their differences and enter this year's elections on a peaceful note.
Constitutionally, Mr Karume has to leave office this year as he pointed out last Tuesday, at the climax of the 46th revolution anniversary in Pemba Island, saying he was finishing his term in office, "as the constitution does not allow the third term."
Mr Hamad told academicians, politicians, religious leaders and representatives from NGOs at a meeting held at Bwawani Hotel in Pemba, that President Karume's presence was now very important in uniting Zanzibaris.
The Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson, Mr Khatib Mwinyichande, said that his commission was going on with preparation for the next general elections as per laws and constitution, saying, "We cannot cancel the elections unless there was constitution amendment.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 people, led by CUF Secretary General, Mr Seif Sharrif Hamad and the Zanzibar Mufti, Sheikh Harith Khelef, gathered at the Maisara grounds to pray for peace, stability and unity, ahead of the CUF demonstration this morning.
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Total Comments on the above stories (1)
CommentCUF are you sick in your own head or are you in medics? What kind of deal do you have with Prz, Amani karume ,that any other zanzibari can not make it? It is suprising at seeing, the way you guys are so adamant on having Karume to stay much longer than what our constitution spelled our on his term in office.Your problem with CCM is is too mild to catch the attention of constitution ammendment on captains' terms in office, so be quiety, step back to your office and behave, yo know what am saying? Don't ever prove to us that, you know much to play a kite game in ya back yard than politics in ya own office!!!!!!!