ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR has formally restored its Government of National Unity (GNU) following the swearing-in of Othman Masoud Othman as First Vice-President yesterday, nearly a year after the October 2025 General Election.
President Hussein Mwinyi administered the oath to Mr Othman at a ceremony held at the State House grounds, marking a new phase in political reconciliation between the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and ACT-Wazalendo.
President Mwinyi said the political reconciliation reached between the two parties should not be regarded as the end of the process, but rather as the beginning of joint efforts to build Zanzibar and accelerate development.
“The political reconciliation we have achieved is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of working together to build our country and accelerate development for our people,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He said the development marked a new chapter for the GNU and an opportunity to build a political bridge that would enable leaders and citizens to move forward together in addressing national challenges.
Dr Mwinyi said Zanzibar had entered a new phase founded on unity, stressing that while political differences should be recognised, national interests must take precedence.
The arrangement, he said, was consistent with the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984, as amended in 2010, particularly Articles 9(3) and 39, which provide the constitutional basis for the formation of a Government of National Unity.
He called for the political settlement to be followed by a stronger focus on economic growth, employment and opportunities for young people, as well as the empowerment of women.
Other priorities, he said, include strengthening tourism, developing the Blue Economy, attracting investment and improving infrastructure, while continuing to improve essential social services such as health, education, water and energy.
The President said Mr Othman’s appointment followed the reconciliation between CCM and ACT-Wazalendothat culminated in the signing of the Joint Declaration on Political Reconciliation on July 9, 2026.
He noted that the agreement had been reached without the involvement of any external person or institution, describing it as evidence of Zanzibar’s ability to resolve its challenges through dialogue.
Dr Mwinyi urged political leaders and citizens to use the opportunity created by the reconciliation to focus on development rather than political disputes.
“Citizens have great expectations of us. They want to see their leaders working together, protecting peace and directing their efforts towards solving the challenges facing them and bringing development, rather than continuing political disputes,” he said.
For his part, First Vice-President Othman said the GNU was not established as a mechanism for political groups to share positions, but as an instrument for advancing reconciliation and national unity.
He said completion of the GNU’s formation should not be viewed as the end of Zanzibar’s journey, but as the beginning of a more important phase requiring commitment, honesty, understanding and participation from all citizens.
“The completion of the formation of the Government of National Unity does not conclude Zanzibar’s journey. It begins an important journey that requires genuine commitment, truth, understanding and the participation of each one of us,” Mr Othman said.
He urged Zanzibar to prepare for major global changes in politics, the economy, financial systems and technology so that the islands could take advantage of emerging opportunities for social and economic development.
Mr Othman also called on political parties to select leaders with the ability, integrity and commitment to put national interests first, while urging public servants to perform their duties efficiently.
He pledged to President Mwinyi and the people of Zanzibar that he would serve to the best of his ability in advancing the interests of the islands.
The ceremony was attended by former Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein, Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, House Speaker Zubeir Ali Maulid, ACT-Wazalendo leaders including Ado Shaibu, Juma Duni Haji and Ismail Jussa Ladhu, CCM Secretary General Ambassador Asha-Rose Migiro, government ministers, political party leaders, religious leaders and security officials.