VP appeals to clerics to pray for Zanzibar

Dar es Salaam. Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan has asked religious leaders to pray for Zanzibar so that the ongoing political crisis is resolved peacefully.

She said  it was difficult for the country to drive its development agenda if there was no peace, insisting that every person should ensure that peace prevails.

Ms Hassan was speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday at a special function to hold national prayers for the country after conducting last month’s General Election peacefully.

On Zanzibar, the VP underscored the need for peace and tranquillity in Zanzibar at the time when the ruling party and the opposition are seeking an amicable solution for the ongoing political impasse.

The semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago has so far been embroiled into a political crisis following the decision by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairman Mr Jecha Salim Jecha to nullify polls over irregularities, sparking tensions on the islands.

Last week, the United States said it was gravely alarmed by the announcement by Zanzibar authorities that they intend to nullify the just ended October 25 presidential election.

“We strongly urge Tanzania’s new administration to ensure that the will of the Zanzibari people is reflected in the prompt, fair and peaceful conclusion of the electoral process in Zanzibar,’’ said US Secretary of State John Kerry on behalf of President Barack Obama

“We strongly urge Tanzania’s new administration to ensure that the will of the Zanzibari people is reflected in the prompt, fair and peaceful conclusion of the electoral process in Zanzibar,’’ he said.

Yesterday, Ms Hassan urged all Tanzanians to tout for peace insisting that without peace the country was likely to plunge into chaos. She said the fifth phase government will not tolerate any person or any political groups that would disrupt the country’s peace for self-interests.

“There are countries where children cannot go to school, men have run away from their families while women cannot be able to get out of their houses to fetch water as people are killing each other senselessly,’’ Ms Hassan.

She added that Tanzania should know that the existing peace was the country’s capital for fighting poverty and bring development.

Ms Hassan was speaking for the first time since she took oath of office last week. “This is the first event that I have been invited to speak as Vice President and to me it is a historic event,’’ she told clerics.

Clerics from all denominations gathered yesterday and held joint prayers for the country’s peace. The event was organised by the regional peace committee and attended by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadick, district commissioners, politicians, diplomats and Dar es Salaam Special Zone police commander Suleiman Kova. Also in attendance was First Lady Janet Magufuli.

The chairperson of the regional peace committee, Sheikh Alhad Mussa Salum, said the congregation was a sign that all Tanzanians were united regardless of their religious differences.

“God loves peace and he always makes sure that his people are leaving peacefully, said Sheikh Alhad, who doubles as the Dar es Salaam regional sheikh.

Speaking at the event, Mr Sadick urged clerics to warn their followers to be alert on the El-nino alert that was issued by Tanzania Metereological Agency (TMA).

“I understand you have many faithful who listen to you, therefore you need to help us in providing education in order to avoid any disaster in our region,’’he  said.