Zanzibar’s President Ali Mohammed Shein has announced that the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania will have a re-run of votes for a new leader despite calls from the opposition not to go ahead with it.
The leader did not give the date when the re-run will happen, a date that the election commission that has to set. However it is expected to happen in February according to Reuters.
Main opposition party in the archipelago, Civic United Front (CUF) said on Monday that there might be violence in the islands if the government holds fresh elections following the annulment of the October general elections due to fraud. CUF is more inclined at holding a dialogue so as to form a government of all political parties that have new voting.
It was during a public ceremony to mark 52 years since Arab rulers were overthrown by the African majority from the Islands that the Ali Shein announced the intentions to repeat the elections. He warned against those who might disturb the process saying the government will take action against them.
According to Reuters, there was tight security for the President. President Ali’s term was extended after the election results were cancelled.
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli present at the ceremony promised to work with leaders of both conflicting parties in Zanzibar.
