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JF-Expert Member
- Apr 10, 2009
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Despite threats by the donor community to suspend aid, there are indications that the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) will
proceed with the rerun of the presidential election next month.
Foreign diplomats have criticised the ZEC for nullifying the October 25 election and announcing a rerun even though the Vienna Convention
prohibits diplomats from engaging in local politics.
Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Norwegian ambassador to Tanzania, visited the Civic United
Front (CUF) offices in Zanzibar and held talks with party officials.
The previous week, Ms Kaarstad along with 16 ambassadors and high commissioners issued a joint statement on the rerun of the Zanzibar elections that had been
judged as credible by observers.
The diplomats said they were concerned about the nullification by ZEC without having provided
evidence to substantiate the claim that irregularities had taken place.
“We regret that an election rerun was announced while dialogue between parties was still
ongoing,” the statement said. “For the benefit of all Tanzanians, we reaffirm our belief that the
current political impasse in Zanzibar would be best addressed through a mutually acceptable
and negotiated solution.”
And just two days after Ms Kaarstad’s visit, Minister for Foreign Affairs Augustine Mahiga
was quoted as saying that the government will now vet all activities that the diplomatic corps
plans to hold with leaders of political parties, as was indicated in a circular the minister said was
issued last month.
READ: Tanzania issues tough rules for diplomats’ local movement
Tanzania has previously faced the risk of having development assistance suspended due to
political situations or scandals.
In 1998, the European Union froze development aid worth about $10 million to the Isles for three
years, in protest against alleged gross human-rights violations following the controversial 1995
election in which Salmin Amour (CCM) won the Isles presidency by a narrow margin.
The board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation has withheld funding to Tanzania, citing the Zanzibar crisis as one factor.
Nick Branson, a senior researcher at the London-based Africa Research Institute, said the
comments made by the ambassadors showed
their commitment to a negotiated solution to the Zanzibar impasse.
He said other donors may be considering reducing their grants.
“Where Tanzania could pay a political cost is if travel advisories are issued by Western nations.
Western nations could advise their citizens against travelling to Zanzibar, resulting in lost
income for the exchequer and the people of Zanzibar.
This will only compound the economic difficulties facing the Isles,” Mr Branson said.
No resolution
Attempts by the international community to resolve the matter have been unsuccessful so
far, as former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who led the Commonwealth’s mission, was not taken seriously as a mediator despite the organisation’s having helped the CUF and CCM reach an agreement after the 1995 and
2000 elections.
proceed with the rerun of the presidential election next month.
Foreign diplomats have criticised the ZEC for nullifying the October 25 election and announcing a rerun even though the Vienna Convention
prohibits diplomats from engaging in local politics.
Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Norwegian ambassador to Tanzania, visited the Civic United
Front (CUF) offices in Zanzibar and held talks with party officials.
The previous week, Ms Kaarstad along with 16 ambassadors and high commissioners issued a joint statement on the rerun of the Zanzibar elections that had been
judged as credible by observers.
The diplomats said they were concerned about the nullification by ZEC without having provided
evidence to substantiate the claim that irregularities had taken place.
“We regret that an election rerun was announced while dialogue between parties was still
ongoing,” the statement said. “For the benefit of all Tanzanians, we reaffirm our belief that the
current political impasse in Zanzibar would be best addressed through a mutually acceptable
and negotiated solution.”
And just two days after Ms Kaarstad’s visit, Minister for Foreign Affairs Augustine Mahiga
was quoted as saying that the government will now vet all activities that the diplomatic corps
plans to hold with leaders of political parties, as was indicated in a circular the minister said was
issued last month.
READ: Tanzania issues tough rules for diplomats’ local movement
Tanzania has previously faced the risk of having development assistance suspended due to
political situations or scandals.
In 1998, the European Union froze development aid worth about $10 million to the Isles for three
years, in protest against alleged gross human-rights violations following the controversial 1995
election in which Salmin Amour (CCM) won the Isles presidency by a narrow margin.
The board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation has withheld funding to Tanzania, citing the Zanzibar crisis as one factor.
Nick Branson, a senior researcher at the London-based Africa Research Institute, said the
comments made by the ambassadors showed
their commitment to a negotiated solution to the Zanzibar impasse.
He said other donors may be considering reducing their grants.
“Where Tanzania could pay a political cost is if travel advisories are issued by Western nations.
Western nations could advise their citizens against travelling to Zanzibar, resulting in lost
income for the exchequer and the people of Zanzibar.
This will only compound the economic difficulties facing the Isles,” Mr Branson said.
No resolution
Attempts by the international community to resolve the matter have been unsuccessful so
far, as former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who led the Commonwealth’s mission, was not taken seriously as a mediator despite the organisation’s having helped the CUF and CCM reach an agreement after the 1995 and
2000 elections.
