Unguja. In the annals of Zanzibar’s political history, Mr Juma Haji Duni, also known as Babu Duni, stands out as a towering figure in Zanzibar’s political history. At 73, his journey through the turbulent landscapes of opposition politics has left an indelible mark on the country.
On Wednesday, September 4, the ACT Wazalendo party honoured him with a special ceremony at a hall in Kiembesamaki, reflecting on his extraordinary political career marked by formidable challenges and significant achievements.
The event was attended by key party figures, including Chairman and First Vice President of Zanzibar Othman Masoud, party leader Dorothy Semu, retired party leader Zitto Kabwe, and Secretary-General Ado Shaibu, among others.
This ceremony is part of ACT Wazalendo’s new policy to honour retired leaders who have served the party with respect, diligence, and integrity.
Mr Juma Haji Duni’s political career began in the thick of Zanzibar’s struggle for democratic reforms during the early 1990s.
Despite numerous hurdles, including party rifts and internal conflicts, Mr Duni’s strategic acumen and steadfast commitment helped navigate the tumultuous waters of Zanzibar politics.
In March of this year, Mr Duni’s leadership was tested when he faced a challenging election for the chairmanship of ACT Wazalendo.
The contest was not only a test of political skill but also of his dedication to the party’s unity. Despite significant pressure and internal disputes, Mr Duni’s decision to withdraw from the race and support Othman Masoud demonstrated his commitment to the party’s stability and growth.
His selflessness in stepping aside allowed the party to avoid a potential split and showed his deep-rooted belief in institutional resilience.
In his farewell address, Mr Duni expressed great pride in seeing the party continue after the death of Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.
His association with Seif, a revered leader in Zanzibar, was pivotal in shaping his political trajectory. Throughout their collaboration, Mr Duni showed unwavering support for Seif’s vision while also forging his path.
Together, they faced numerous challenges, including political opposition and internal party conflicts, with a shared commitment to advancing their cause.
“After Maalim Seif’s death, the party was crossing a very difficult bridge,Mr Duni recalled. “At that time, I was the Vice Chairman. We questioned who would take over, and many believed the party might not survive without Seif. I worked with my colleagues, and we successfully crossed that bridge. We found a First Vice President, Alhamdulillah, and we moved forward. Then came the second bridge—choosing a chairman. The challenge was evident, but with God’s blessing and the wisdom of my fellow leaders, we navigated it.”
Mr Duni continued: “When it came to contending for the chairmanship again, the situation was tough. There were two sides. By God’s will and the wisdom of my fellow leaders, I stayed in line until the general election, and today we have new leaders and a strong front.” Mr Duni’s political career was not without personal sacrifice. His support for Maalim Seif resulted in significant personal and professional repercussions, including demotion, dismissal, and imprisonment. These setbacks extended to his family as well.
Mr Duni recounted a poignant moment: “I saw my father being slapped by FFU officers when he went to request permission to greet me while we were at court. He was pushed and slapped mercilessly and fell. We did not meet again until he died, and he was buried without my presence.”
Yet, these experiences only seemed to strengthen Duni’s resolve and deepen his understanding of governance and politics.
His contributions to Zanzibar’s political landscape are numerous. His leadership in ACT Wazalendo, his role in advocating for democratic reforms, and his efforts in party building have left a lasting impact.
Duni’s reflections on development and governance reveal a deep understanding of people-centred progress. He emphasised that true development goes beyond mere infrastructure and involves uplifting the lives of the people.
“There is a misconception about development. Mwalimu Nyerere once said, and I agree, that ‘Development is the development of people, not the development of things—people-centred development,’” Mr Duni stated.
He added, “It is surprising that many CCM members fail to understand this. They believe that building roads, schools, and markets constitutes development. This has led to divisions, discrimination, and animosity among us.”
As the party’s leadership presented Mr Duni with the keys to a Toyota Prado and health insurance, it was clear that his legacy as one of Zanzibar’s most revered politicians is firmly established.
As Mr Duni steps away from the political limelight, his contributions and principles will continue to inspire and guide future leaders.
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Air Tanzania Banned From EU Airspace Due to Safety Concerns
Several airports have since locked Air Tanzania, dealing a severe blow to the Tanzanian national carrier that must now work overtime to regain its certification or go the wet lease way
The European Commission has announced the inclusion of Air Tanzania on the EU Air Safety List, effectively banning the airline from operating in European airspace.
The decision, made public on December 16, 2024, is based on safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which also led to the denial of Air Tanzania’s application for a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
The Commission did not go into the specifics of the safety infringement but industry experts suggest it is possible that the airline could have flown its Airbus A220 well past its scheduled major checks, thus violating the airworthiness directives.
“The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in Europe and worldwide,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
“We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues. I have offered the Commission’s assistance to the Tanzanian authorities in enhancing Air Tanzania’s safety performance and achieving full compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania has a mixed fleet of modern aircraft types including Boeing 787s, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s.
It has been flying the B787 Dreamliner to European destinations like Frankfurt in Germany and Athens in Greece and was looking to add London to its growing list with the A220.
But the ban not only scuppers the London dream but also has seen immediate ripple effect, with several airports – including regional like Kigali and continental – locking out Air Tanzania.
Tanzania operates KLM alongside the national carrier.
The European Commission said Air Tanzania may be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with.
A wet lease is where an airline pays to use an aircraft with a crew, fuel, and insurance all provided by the leasing company at a fee.
Two more to the list
The EU Air Safety List, maintained to ensure passenger safety, is updated periodically based on recommendations from the EU Air Safety Committee.
The latest revision, which followed a meeting of aviation safety experts in Brussels from November 19 to 21, 2024, now includes 129 airlines.
Of these, 100 are certified in 15 states where aviation oversight is deemed insufficient, and 29 are individual airlines with significant safety deficiencies.
Alongside Air Tanzania, other banned carriers include Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
Commenting on the broader implications of the list, Tzitzikostas stated, “Our priority remains the safety of every traveler who relies on air transport. We urge all affected airlines to take these bans seriously and work collaboratively with international bodies to resolve the identified issues.”
In a positive development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been cleared to resume operations in the EU following a four-year suspension. The ban, which began in 2020, was lifted after substantial improvements in safety performance and oversight by PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
“Since the TCO Authorisation was suspended, PIA and PCAA have made remarkable progress in enhancing safety standards,” noted Tzitzikostas. “This demonstrates that safety issues can be resolved through determination and cooperation.”
Another Pakistani airline, Airblue Limited, has also received EASA’s TCO authorisation.
Decisions to include or exclude airlines from the EU Air Safety List are based on rigorous evaluations of international safety standards, particularly those established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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The process involves thorough review and consultation among EU Member State aviation safety experts, with oversight from the European Commission and support from EASA.
“Where an airline currently on the list believes it complies with the required safety standards, it can request a reassessment,” explained Tzitzikostas. “Our goal is not to penalize but to ensure safety compliance globally.”
Airlines listed on the EU Air Safety List face significant challenges to their international operations, as the bans highlight shortcomings in safety oversight by their home regulatory authorities.
For Air Tanzania, this inclusion signals an urgent need for reform within Tanzania’s aviation sector to address these deficiencies and align with global standards.
The path forward will require immediate and sustained efforts to rectify safety concerns and regain access to one of the world’s most critical aviation markets.
Source: allafrica.com
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