Cracks show as Zanzibar’s CCM ruling party looks to 2025 polls

In some respects, we have been there before, but maybe not! But, as they say in politics and indeed in life, nothing lasts forever. Goal posts keep on shifting.

Earlier this month, as the nation celebrated 51 years since the death of the founding father of Zanzibar, Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, there was much going on on the sidelines. Although it had reverberated beyond the pragmatic confines of the ruling CCM, no one has said a thing.

Veteran politician and diplomat Ali Karume (Abeid Amani Karume’s son) had two days earlier addressed a group of journalists at his home in Maisara Unguja, where he took on the administration on several issues.

On top of the pile was the leasing of islets that surround the main islands of Unguja and Pemba, saying it was not a feasible idea and would in the long run end in heartbreak.

In his own words, Mr Karume, 72, said he was against the whole idea because leasing of islets will at the end of the day not make any economic impact in Zanzibar.

As it remains a deeply-rooted culture regarding such deals, there is an individual who reportedly pocketed $500,000 from the sale of one islet! The revelation left many in the audience rather bemused!

But he did not stop there, he further accused the powers that be of not understanding the ideals of the 1964 revolution, which aimed at empowering the poor in several sectors including business.

At the centre of the debate are the Kilimani flats where residents are supposed to give way to a new project.

In his argument, Mr Karume said it is unconstitutional and against the ideals of the revolution that ousted the sultanate leadership on the isles, and it is only through the Revolutionary Council that such a decision can be arrived at.

At a meeting with Kilimani residents, they resolved not to leave unless there was fair compensation that befits what they are giving up.

So as storms rage on online forums and social media channels over Mr Karume’s allegation against the administration, maybe it is time for the ruling party to take stock of these events.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that a leading cadre has come out in broad daylight to criticise the Revolutionary Government regarding certain policies, including the sale of houses at Stone Town.

In June last year, an elderly CCM cadre, Mr Baraka Mohammed Shamte 83, in a video clip which went viral on social media platforms, criticised government authorities over certain decisions that did not resonate with the electorate.

He became an easy target. Mr Shamte was soon summoned to the Madema police station to answer charges of uttering seditious content against government authorities in Zanzibar.

In the hours that followed his interrogation at the police station, goons attacked the elderly cadre, beat him to pulp, and no one was ever arrested in connection to the incident.

Nothing has been heard about him since, perhaps this was a just a reminder to those of his ilk of what might just happen when one fails to toe the line.

The question whether Karume and others are right or not in questioning government direction remains subject to debate, one which could take quite a long time- even past 2025.

On face value, the accusations that Mr Karume and Mr Shamte before him among others have levied against the administration can be dismissed as wind which will soon disappear, and business will go on as usual.

However, this, immediately points to one thing. The cracks of the 2020 polls which were supposedly healed when President Hussein Ali Mwinyi extended an olive branch to the factions within the party upon his ascendancy to the party leadership at Kisiwandui late 2022 have not healed.

The factions are alive and kicking.

The march towards the 2025 General Election could be a long unwinding road should sentiments of discontent within the party continue like this.