Major Zanzibar News for 2004
January
Jan 02, 2004
Zanzibar Government announces a conditional license renewals for daladala
("town-bus") operators. Business licenses were revoked last November when
operators went on strike in protest to the new law that disrgarded their
grievances.
Jan 24, 2004
Zanzibar becomes a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the
decision reached at CAF's meeting in Tunisia. Therefore, Zanzibar clubs will
be able to participate in continental tounaments organized by CAF.
Jan 27, 2004
The Civic United Front (CUF) launches a book on January 26-27 killings of opposition supporters by members of the
police force in Zanzibar and Pemba islands. CUF supporters also staged a big
demonstration at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Zanzibar.
February
Feb 11, 2004
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has privatized the ailing Zanzibar
Fishing Corporation (ZAFICO) under a 33-year deal with the MS Fisheries (T)
Ltd signed last week.
Feb 21, 2004
Safina, a political party founded in Zanzibar, has been struck off from the
list of political parties in Tanzania after it was revealed that the party
submitted false information during registration.
Feb 22, 2004
Anthrax surfaces in Fuoni Area, few kilometers east of Zanzibar town killing
at least 28 cattle.
Feb 23, 2004
Two new political parties, all having their headquarters in Zanzibar, have
been given temporary registration by the
Registrar of Political Parties. They are: Jahazi Asilia founded by Abuu Amour
Juma, who was also the founder of the deregistered SAFINA and SOFT whose
Secretary General is Rashid Salum.
March
Mar 09, 2004
An explosion, believed to be from a petrol bomb, has destroyed three electric
transformers in Zanzibar.
April
April 30, 2004
CCM and CUF discuss the formation of the so called, Government of National
Unity (Serikali ya Mseto).
May
May 13, 2004
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has closed the Kengeja Technical
School in Pemba due to the outbreak of a gastric disease that causes
diarrhoea. The disease that has affected a number of students is also prevalent
in the villages of Kengeja,
Muambe, Kiwani and Mtambile.
June
June 17, 2004
The Speaker of the Zanzibar's House of Representative issued a two-week
ultimatum to the opposition (CUF) finance shadow minister to apologize for
falsely accusing the government in the oil scandal involving the private
firm, GAPCO that imports fuel into the Isles.
July
July 03, 2004
Three Britons were injured after being shot by armed people while on research
work in the village of Tundaua in Chake Chake district in Pemba.
The Zanzibar House of Representative has suspended the Chambani Representative of the Civic United Front (CUF) for one year following what was considered false accusation against top government officials.
August
Aug 22, 2004
Zanzibar bans gay sex setting a 25-year jail term for offenders and a life
imprisonent for case involving a minor.
Aug 26, 2004
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has offered cars worth 15000 British
pounds to each of the widows of retired leaders. Those benefitting from this
offer include Fatma Karume the wife of the first President, Maryam Abdul Wakil
of the fourth president, and Salma Omar Juma of the late Vice President and
former Chief Minister.
September
Sept 09, 2004
The president of Zanzibar, Amani Abeid Karume has reshuffled his cabinet and
appointed two new Regional Commissioners in a move seen by opposition as an
attempt to mend terms with groups in the ruling party, CCM. A noticeable
inclusion in the new cabinet is Ali Juma Shamuhuna who was a known critic of
the present administration.
October
Oct 11, 2004
Zanzibar introduces a new flag in a move that solidifies its existence in the
union between the then, Tanganyika, and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
The colours of the new flag are black, green, blue and gold.
November
Nov 18, 2004
Top officials of the Zanzibar's Ministry of Health have resigned over what is
believed to be repeated interference of their duties by the Minister Salum
Juma Othman.
December
Dec 01, 2004
A 16-year old boy, Juma Omar Juma, has been killed and two other people
seriously injured during the voters registration exercise in Pemba.
Dec 23, 2004
Mohammed Ali Yusuf, the former high-level leader of the Zanzibar's opposition
party, the Civic United Front (CUF) passed away after long illness.