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Zanzibar VP seeks international backing in London ahead of high-stakes election
Zanzibar's First Vice President Othman met with Prof Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary General,Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth
What you need to know:
- During his engagements with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Chatham House, Mr Othman raised concerns over electoral irregularities and called for a renewed international focus on governance and development in Zanzibar.
Dar es Salaam. With Tanzania’s general elections drawing near, Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman has launched a diplomatic charm offensive in London, courting international stakeholders to rally support for democratic reform, economic transformation, and enhanced autonomy for the Isles.
Mr Othman, who also serves as ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate for Zanzibar, used the visit to outline his party’s vision for a more accountable, inclusive, and prosperous Zanzibar—anchored on what he calls the “Singapore of Africa” model.
During his engagements with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Chatham House, Mr Othman raised concerns over electoral irregularities and called for a renewed international focus on governance and development in Zanzibar.
Democracy and accountability
At Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s headquarters, Mr Othman met with Assistant Secretary-General Prof Luis Franceschi to present a five-pillar transformation agenda centred on democratic integrity, public accountability, equitable growth, enhanced autonomy, and national unity.
“We must build a Zanzibar where democracy is a lived reality, not just an ideal,” said Mr Othman, criticising what he described as a flawed voter registration exercise and an unconstitutional two-day voting structure.
He alleged intimidation of whistle-blowers exposing electoral malpractice, saying such actions erode basic civic freedoms. Prof Franceschi reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s support for democratic processes, while noting that formal election engagement requires an official invitation from the Union government.
Economic renewal
In a separate meeting at Chatham House, Mr Othman spoke with Africa Programme Director Dr Alex Vines OBE and his successor Ms Tighisti Amare, underscoring the urgency of economic reforms.
“Zanzibar shares population size and geography with Mauritius, yet our GDP per capita is ten times lower,” he said. “Development must be felt, not just promised. That calls for investment tied to transparency and inclusion.”
Chatham House officials acknowledged Zanzibar’s strategic potential and expressed interest in strengthening engagement.
UK relations and diaspora engagement
On June 17, Mr Othman met Mr Mehdi Hussain, acting head of the East Africa Department at the FCDO, where discussions focused on the link between credible elections and sustainable development.
“Corruption threatens the very foundation of our service-driven economy,” Mr Othman said. “Free and fair elections are not just about governance—they shape people’s lives.”
Mr Hussain reiterated the UK’s longstanding ties with Zanzibar, citing investments in infrastructure and tourism, and stressed Britain’s interest in a peaceful, transparent electoral process—given that over 42,000 UK nationals visit Zanzibar annually.
Mr Othman also held talks with members of the Zanzibari diaspora in London, calling them “an integral part of Zanzibar’s heartbeat” and urging them to remain active in shaping the Isles’ future through remittances, ideas, and advocacy.
As elections approach, his London visit reflects the growing international attention on Zanzibar’s political landscape—and signals an effort to secure both diplomatic goodwill and external scrutiny of the electoral process.
