Dozens reportedly displaced in post election violence in Zanzibar

At least 60 people from the town of Tumbatu, off the northwest coast of Tanzania's semiautonomous island of Zanzibar, have taken refuge in nearby Nungwi following election violence between supporters of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), the police and witnesses said on Friday. "We are aware of the situation in Tumbatu, and according to the area police commander, a number of police officers have been sent there. We are still awaiting more accurate information," Ramadhani Kinyogo, director of criminal investigation, said. "We quickly reported this incident to the police, but instead of helping us, some of our colleagues have been arrested and no one from CCM has been arrested so far," Mshihiri Vuai Hajji, a CUF supporter, said. "This is unfair, and we have written a letter to the inspector general of police to help us or allow us defend our selves." Hajji said a number of people had been injured and many others had fled the villages of Kichangani and Gomani on Tumbatu Island to nearby villages and the island of Unguja, to escape harassment from alleged CCM supporters. Witnesses said the situation in Tumbatu had been tense since Wednesday's polls ended, as CUF supporters accused those of the CCM of attacking them and destroying property, including a mosque. However, the CCM publicity secretary, Vuai Ali Vuai, denied these claims. "I believe CCM supporters have not reached the stage of sabotaging people's property and destroying a holy place like a mosque," he said. Vuai said unidentified people had destroyed a CCM branch office with property worth nine million Tanzania shillings (US $7,700) during the island's 30 October elections, "but we did not point a blaming finger to the opposition, we only reported to the police". CUF Deputy Information Officer Salum Bimani, for his part, accused the police of disregarding complaints lodged by his party. "The police are not doing justice; in most cases they neglect the opposition's problems," he said. "There is a big problem in Tumbatu, many people have been forced to leave because of beatings and threats, and also houses have been damaged." Supporters of the two rival parties have repeatedly engaged in violent confrontations over political issues, leaving several people injured and some property destroyed. The Zanzibar North regional police commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kheir Khamis, could not immediately be reached for comment.