Statement on Election Re-Run in Zanzibar

The High Commissioners and Ambassadors to Tanzania of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, today issued the following statement regarding the election re-run which took place in Zanzibar on March 20th, 2016:

We regret the Zanzibar Electoral Commission’s decision to hold a re-run of the 25 October 2015 election, without a mutually acceptable and negotiated solution to the current political impasse.

In order to be credible, electoral processes must be inclusive and truly representative of the will of the people.

We reiterate our call on the Government of Tanzania to exercise leadership in Zanzibar, and to pursue a negotiated solution between parties, with a view to maintaining peace and unity in the United Republic of Tanzania.

We commend once again the population of Zanzibar for having exercised calm and restraint throughout this process, and call on all parties and their supporters to re-start the national reconciliation process to find an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful resolution.

TAMKO KUHUSU UCHAGUZI WA MARUDIO VISIWANI ZANZIBAR

Mabalozi na wawakilishi wa nchi za Ubelgiji, Canada, Denmark, Umoja wa Ulaya, Finland, Ufaransa, Ujerumani, Ireland, Italia, Uholanzi, Norway, Hispania, Sweden, Switzerland, Uingereza na Marekani hivi leo wametoa tamko kuhusu uchaguzi wa marudio uliofanyika Zanzibar tarehe 20 Machi 2016:

Tumesikitishwa na uamuzi wa Tume ya Uchaguzi Zanzibar (ZEC) wa kuendesha marudio ya uchaguzi uliofanyika tarehe 25 Oktoba 2015, bila kuwepo makubaliano ya pamoja baina ya pande kinzani na ufumbuzi wa mgogoro wa kisiasa visiwani humo uliotokana na majadilino baina ya pande husika.

Ili uwe wa kuaminika na kukubalika ni lazima mchakato wa uchaguzi uwe jumuishi na unaowakilisha kwa dhati matakwa ya watu.

Tunarejea wito wetu kwa Serikali ya Tanzania kuonyesha na kuchukua uongozi katika suala la Zanzibar na kujielekeza katika kupatikana kwa ufumbuzi wa mgogoro huu kwa kupitia mazungumzo baina ya pande husika kwa lengo la kudumisha amani na umoja katika Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania.

Kwa mara nyingine tunawapongeza wananchi wa Zanzibar kwa utulivu na ustahimilivu waliouonyesha katika kipindi chote cha mchakato huu na kuvitaka vyama vyote na wafuasi wao kuanzisha tena mchakato wa maridhiano ya kitaifa ili kupata ufumbuzi jumuishi, endelevu na wa amani.