In Our Memory

CCM Militia Terrorize Opposition Sympathizers (April 04, 2005)

A new wave of violence has flared in Zanzibar where the ruling party (CCM) sponsored militia are terrorizing opposition sympathizers in the on-going permanent voters registration exercise. They have been running a campaign of burning down houses and property belonging to people from the island of Pemba, considered to be the opposition stronghold. They have inflicted bodily harm and injuries to a number of people, including the father of the opposition Member of the Zanzibar's House of Representative, Mr. Burhan Muhunzi.

View some pictures here ...

Fresh Political Violence Erupts in Zanzibar (Mar 07, 2005)

Fresh political violence has erupted in Zanzibar when supporters of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and those of the opposition, Civic United Front (CUF) clashed at Kilimahewa while on their way home from political rallies held at Chumbuni and Kibanda Maiti on Sunday, March 6, 2005.

At dawn, unknown people believed to be members of the pro-government militia, have attacked the house of Mr. Seif Shariff Hamad, the Secretary General of CUF, setting on fire three cars and injuring the guard, one Suleiman Abdallah. In another development, four CUF branches in Mpendae, Migombani, Kianga A and Kianga B, were burned to the ground.

View some pictures here ...

Zanzibar Hit by a Tremor (Jan 15, 2004)

A low-scale earthquake tremor shook Zanzibar at 8:15 am this Saturday January 15, 2005 causing panic among residents. The tremor, that lasted for a maximum of 2.5 seconds, was reported in many areas of the main island of Unguja and in some areas of Pemba.

There are no reports of damages but after the Tsunami catastrophy, that hit a score of countries in the Indian Ocean, there was a great deal of discomfort among residents of Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Celebrates 41^st Anniversary of the Revolution

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar celebrated its 41^st Anniversary since coming to power in a revolution that toppled the first government of independent Zanzibar. The event was attended by top Tanzanian leaders and the guest of honour was Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe.

Listen to the speech by the President of Zanzibar here ...

Major Zanzibar News for 2004

Year 2004 showed a good start in Zanzibar but towards the end of the year, the politically motivated killing of a teenager by the members of government sponsored paramilitary, the Coastguards (KMKM) during the voters registration exercise in Pemba, reminds all Zanzibaris of the tough times ahead.

Read the major news of 2004 here ...

Zanzibar's Opposition Looses a Leader

Mohammed Ali Yusuf, the former high-level leader of the Zanzibar's opposition has passed away on December 23, 2004 after long illness. Messages of condolence from Zanzibaris all over the world have flooded the Zanzinet forum in memory of the late Mohammed. For many, he was a leader of his own calibre who showed great maturity and wisdom in tackling Zanzibar's political issues.

Mohammed was a high-level leader of the Civic United Front (CUF), the leading political party in Tanzania's opposition camp. He left politics to undergo medical treatment in India. On his return, it seemed as if he was winning the battle with the illness but the condition worsened and ultimately, he died at the Aga Khan hospital in Dar es Salaam.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajiuun!

Pemba Killings (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. We have the bullet-riddled picture of the late Juma Omar Juma but cannot post it on the web. If you would like to spread the word in the spirit of respecting human rights, please write to the webmaster for a copy of the picture.