Reconciliation pact signed

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) in Zanzibar on Wednesday signed a reconciliation pact to end protracted political feuding that has lasted nearly four years. In a ceremony attended by Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who also brokered the negotiation process, representatives of both parties from the twin islands of Zanzibar and Pemba signed the accord. A press release from the Commonwealth Secretariat said the key provisions of the agreement include reform of the Zanzibar electoral commission, a review of the constitutional and electoral laws, and compensation for property destroyed during the political crisis. The agreement also provides for the appointment of two new members to the Zanzibar House of Representatives from the opposition CUF. An inter-party committee of CCM and CUF members will now be established to facilitate the implementation of the agreement, the statement said. “The 14-member committee will work on the basis of consensus and will have two co-chairs. A trust fund is also expected to be created to fund aspects of the agreement.” Anyaoku described the accord as a victory for “common sense”, saying it was in everyone’s interest to end the political paralysis that had held back Zanzibar for nearly four years. “I hope that the spirit as well as the letter of this historic agreement will guide Zanzibar up to and beyond the coming elections,” he said.