In Union speech, Seif decries ‘death’ of founding principles

 Zanzibar. CUF Secretary General Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad yesterday took a swipe at “blatant violation” of the principles on which the Union was founded, saying none of its founders would have been happy today.

In his remarks on Union Day, the CUF leader said it was sad that after 52 years of the Union there were still concerns over lawlessness and violation of the right of the people.

“The Union belongs to people and not the State and its rulers who don’t respect the wishes people,” Mr Seif said.

The retired Zanzibar first vice-president said the Union was meant to foster relationships between the people of Tanganyika and Zanzibar regardless of their political affiliation, colour, ethnicity and religious faiths.

“If so, then leaders must respect the wishes of people, their dignity and never violate the constitution,” he said.

“They (leaders) have to serve all people and respect their wishes, especially when they decide who should lead them and who should control the state,” Mr Seif said.

Mr Seif was Zanzibar’s presidential candidate under the CUF ticket and supported by the coalition opposition, and who claimed to have won the October 25, 2015 before Zanzibar Electoral Commission chairman Jecha Salim Jecha cancelled the election results and declared a reelection that was held on March 20, 2016.

He was speaking to reporters at his Chukwani home, on the outskirts of Unguja Town.

He said: “The concept of the Union, particularly at this time, should not be translated into the value of using military personnel so that to invalidate what the people had already decided, which they thought it was their right and is going to remain so.”

CUF public relations and information director Salim Abdalla Bimani said the Union commemoration reminded of how the rights of people were overturned this time soon after last October’s general election results were known and started being announced.

Mr Seif and CUF refused to participate in the poll re-run won by his rival Dr Mohammed Ali Shein. He said his party would not be part of an election that was unconstitutional, insisting he had won the first round. Later, his party his would announce the “way forward”, mobilising donors this supporters to not have anything to do with the Isles government.