Shein endorsed for Zanzibar

Zanzibar. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Special Central Committee in Zanzibar has formally endorsed Dr Ali Mohammed Shein as the party’s presidential candidate for the October 25 General Election.

The Committee had a simple task in reaching the decision as the incumbent was the lone aspirant for the post.

Before the committee got underway, its members unanimously elected the Vice President, Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, to chair the meeting. Dr Shein, who serves as CCM Vice Chairman (Zanzibar) could not preside over the meeting because he had offered himself for nomination as presidential candidate.

The CCM deputy secretary general in Zanzibar, Mr Vuai Ali Vuai, told reporters that the meeting received and discussed only one name of Dr Shein as a person who has asked to be nominated as Zanzibar presidential hopeful on the ticket of the ruling party.

“Given that situation, the special committee meeting endorsed Dr Shein and we are going to propose to the Central Committee that he be nominated to defend his seat,” he said.

He said, after being discussed by the Central Committee, Dr Shein’s name will be presented to the general congress where he will be formally nominated.

After the debate, Dr Bilal handed over the chair to Dr Shein who thanked him for leading the session effectively. He also thanked the members for their deliberations.

Speaking after the meeting, a member to the special committee, Dr Maua Daftari, said they had decided to settle for Dr Shein because during his five years as President of Zanzibar and CCM vice chairman, he has shown that he is a capable leader.

“During his leadership he has established and completed a lot of development projects such as construction of roads and airports and introduction of a friendly tourism policy,” she said.

For his part, Mr Rashid Ali Juma, said in his five years at the helm of national leadership, Dr Shein managed to lead the Government of National Unity (GNU) which also comprised cabinet members from the opposition Civic United Front (CUF).

“This shows that he has the ability to unite people from the political divide which is one of the political traits which a Zanzibari leader should possess,” he stressed.

While Dr Shein has no opposition from within his party, but in case he is nominated he will face several other opponents from the opposition including Mr Seif Sharif Hamad (CUF), Mr Hamad Rashid Mohamed (ADC), Mr Juma Ali Khatibu (Tadea), Mr Ambar Khamis Haji (NCCR- Mageuzi) and Mr Soud Said Soud (AFP).