Kabwe hands over Act-Wazalendo cards to Hamad and his supporters

Dar es Salaam. ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe said today, March 19, 2019 was historic in Tanzania’s political journey. 

He said the occasion to receive Civic United Front (CUF) members joining his party gives it a whole new direction and stature in the country’s politics.

Today’s incident concluded several months of speculation about the political destiny of a faction in CUF led by former secretary general Seif Sharif Hamad.

After switching allegiance to ACT-Wazalendo on Monday, today, Mr Hamad, the firebrand politician, who served Cuf for 26 years, and his supporters gained full membership of their new political base.

“This signals a positive direction of the country’s opposition and its struggles for democracy in general,” said Mr Kabwe.

“Efforts to build a strong coalition among the opposition parties are mandatory considering the current political circumstances,” the ACT-Wazalendo party leader said.

For his part, Mr Hashim Rungwe, who is the national chairman of the Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (Chauma), praised Mr Hamad’s bold decision and agreed to work with him. Mr Rungwe was one of the invited guests.

Mr Kabwe handed over the cards to Mr Hamad, former Cuf director of international relations Ismail Jussa, former Cuf’s deputy secretary general for Zanzibar Nassor Mazrui and Ukawa’s candidate for vice presidency in 2015 general election Juma Duni Haji, among others.

Speaking shortly after the event, Mr Hamad said. “I’m speechless. I thank ACT-Wazalendo for giving us this grand reception.”

Mr Hamad, severally referred to ACT-Wazalendo as ACT-Mzalendo, to which he apologized and promised to master the new party’s name and slogans shortly.

“You’ll have to forgive us,” he said. “We’ve come to a new party with a different political culture.”

Mr Hamad showered praise on his host, Mr Kabwe, who doubles as the Kigoma Urban legislator.

 “He’s dynamic, energetic, visionary and brave,” said Mr Hamad.

“We are officially ACT-Wazalendo members from today. This country needs to go back to its democratic principles. We’ve to keep up the fight towards that direction.”

However, he cautioned against the use of violence for their hard work will bear no fruit. “We’ve to come up with alternative ways that ensures that democratic values are restored peacefully,” he said.