Electoral similarities: Algeria-1991/92, Z’bar-2015/16
What you need to know:
Although I heartily contribute to the adage that history does repeat itself, I hesitate to go the whole hog – and accept that the second time when History does so, it’s as a farce... Or, worse: even as a tragedy!
Although I heartily contribute to the adage that history does repeat itself, I hesitate to go the whole hog – and accept that the second time when History does so, it’s as a farce... Or, worse: even as a tragedy!
Oh, well, you can’t really be absolutely certain about these things, can you? After all, US statesman-cum-philosopher Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) said, only death, taxes – and trash – are certain…! But, that’s another story, really.
Anyway, the Friendly Fire today’s about the canny similarities regarding political developments in Algeria in 1991/92, and what’s happening in Zanzibar (2015/16)!
Starting with the latter, last October 28, Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairman Jecha Salim Jecha abruptly annulled the
October 25 election results in the Spice Islands, ostensibly citing ‘fundamental flaws in the electoral processes!’ Let’s not go into the reason(s) for, or the impact of, the annulment – if only because they’re highly controversial! Suffice it here to note that cancellation of the poll results was vehemently decried by the major Political Opposition, the Civic United Front (CUF).
The CUF Secretary-General, Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad, claimed/claims ‘winning’ the Isles Presidency by 52+% of the valid votes cast (200,007 votes, against 178,363 for CcM Candidate Shein) – citing data collated by the Front.
Notably, although the veteran ruling Party of the Revolution, ‘Chama cha Mapinduzi’ (CcM) doesn’t claim victory in so many words, ‘cancellation’ of the results by audacious Jecha nonetheless went down quite well with the party! There then followed months of negotiations behind closed doors involving both camps. Nine such sessions – which were clearly dominated by CcM stalwarts, who included the sitting Zanzibar President, Ali Mohammed Shein, and an array of expired Union Presidents, all against the Lone Ranger Maalim Seif! – bore no meaningful results!
In the event, on January 22, 2016, Electoral Commission Chairman Jecha ‘declared’ next March 20 Polling Day for a ‘new’ election in the Isles! Perhaps not surprising, CUF stresses it won’t participate in the replacement elections, arguing that the Commission (and, still less, its Chairman) had/has no statutory power to cancel elections – especially, the October 25 results… And, by parity of reasoning, he has no authority to declare new polls!
Let’s ‘rewind’ the political scenario to Algeria in January 1992...
After religious fundamentalists seemed to be winning the December 1991 Parliamentary Elections, Algeria was practically heading to become an Islamic Fundamentalist State. President Chadli Benjedid resigned on January 11, 1992. He was replaced by a Military-dominated Ruling Council, which promptly cancelled the run-off elections on January 12 that could/would’ve determined Parliamentary seat winners. On the same day, the Council was replaced by the State Security Panel – which also voided the December 1991 election results! A mélange of discombobulating developments in kaleidoscopic mode...? You can say that again!
In the event, the government banned all non-religious activities in the country’s 10,000+ mosques! Hundreds of fundamentalists were detained, scores of activists assassinated, dozens of otherwise ‘innocents’ – including foreigners/tourists – were killed or maimed in the crossfire and ‘other fires!’ Thank God, all that hasn’t transpired in Zanzibar – touch wood! – although much of the electoral developments are similar... Cheers!
