Unguja. The opposition party ACT Wazalendo has criticized CCM-Zanzibar’s push to extend President Hussein Mwinyi’s term to seven years, labeling it a sign of panic due to governance failures.
Addressing a rally in Magogoni kwa Mwarabu, party cadre Mansoor Yusuf Himid emphasized that the true test of CCM’s achievements in the past three years should be left to the electorate.
“If you believe you have performed well, why fear elections? The constitution mandates elections every five years. Only at the polls will we provide the verdict on your governance,” Mr. Himid asserted.
He continued, “They should abandon this dream of seven years because it will never come to fruition.”
Supporting these sentiments, the party’s Vice-chairman in Zanzibar, Ismail Jussa Ladhu, criticized CCM’s statements advocating for an extended presidential term, arguing it undermines democratic principles.
The debate was sparked by Dr Mohamed Said Dimwa, Deputy Secretary General of CCM-Zanzibar, who recently announced that the Special Committee of CCM’s National Executive Committee endorsed a proposal to extend President Mwinyi’s tenure to seven years.
Dimwa cited the president’s effective implementation of the CCM Manifesto for 2020-2025, achieving over 100 percent of set targets within three years and a few months of taking office.
Speaking at the same rally, party chairman Othman Masoud Othman expressed concern over the Revolutionary Government’s budget, which heavily relies on foreign loans, amounting to 65 percent.
He recalled the leadership of Zanzibar’s founding father, President Abeid Karume, who built residential homes using solely domestic resources, without borrowing from abroad.
Othman highlighted that out of the total budget of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) amounting to Sh5.182 trillion, Sh3.5 trillion comes from donor funds, while Sh1.5 trillion is generated domestically.
In concluding remarks on the government’s main budget debate on June 20, 2024, the Finance Minister expressed pride in the budget, citing successful implementation of numerous developmental projects.
“Some want us to celebrate this budget and the achievements it reflects, but tell that to those unaware. For those who understand, we have moved away from self-reliance. Why then are we struggling today, resorting to borrowing when we had already overcome such challenges?” Othman queried.
Reflecting on past successes, Othman noted that in 1971, Zanzibar earned Sh16 million from selling 3,200 tons of cloves, which funded the construction of 403 homes in Kilimani. Furthermore, the sale of 61,200 tons of cloves (equivalent to current Sh1.3 trillion) built 1,300 homes.
Othman, who served as Deputy and Attorney General of SMZ for over a decade, highlighted President Karume’s ambition to construct 17,000 homes for Sh400 million.
“This country was once self-sufficient in all aspects and supported Mainland Tanzania. That’s the truth, and we are capable,” he said, giving the example of Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, which is economically more advanced than Zanzibar.
Othman lamented, “It’s disheartening that despite our potential to excel, we are borrowing Sh3.5 trillion, with 35 percent of it being our own funds. How can anyone be content with this? We should strive to surpass others, not lag behind.”
He criticized the current state of affairs in Zanzibar, attributing it to poor leadership.
Othman highlighted that out of the Sh1.5 trillion raised domestically, Sh900 billion is allocated to wages. “No government can function effectively on Sh600 billion, especially when Sh300 billion is already earmarked for loan repayments. Even a municipality would struggle with Sh300 billion.”
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
