Zati expects peaceful General Election

Dar es Salaam. The Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (Zati) is expecting a peaceful election next month for tourism prosperity.

Zati chairman Omar Said Shaaban told The Citizen in an email that there should be no travel advisories against visiting Zanzibar during the election period.

“The friendliness of the people of Zanzibar, and the relative absence of crime, or social and ethnic conflict, has historically been a key attraction for visitors and we must all come together to keep Zanzibar united even during this time of election,” said Mr Shaaban.

He said that Zati was working hard to encourage political leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that election should be “peaceful in order to ensure that the island’s economic and social health is not affected – as well as the tourism industry and the holiday experience of Zanzibar’s visitors”.

The Zanzibar elections are due to take place on October 25.

To ensure peaceful polls, Zati and police are organising a security meeting this week. The event will bring together tourism investors to discuss, among other things, the importance of peace for the prosperity of the tourism industry.

“The Zanzibar Police Commissioner, Mr Hamdan Omar Makame, wishes to discuss policing and security in general with all tourism stakeholders in their areas as well as highlighting the police strategic preparations for the period of election campaigns in order to ensure peaceful elections,” said Mr Shaaban. Zati has also been working with government representatives from both parties (CCM and CUF) to promote peaceful elections.

Dr Brian Cooksey, an independent researcher, said last week in Dar es Salaam that the country’s dream to have the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant depends on the ability to maintain peace.

Any signs of violence will scare away investors.

“The government can improve its chances of attracting the huge investment required to set up an LNG plant by practising good governance in its dealings with investors and by maintaining the country’s peaceful image,” said Dr Cooksey.