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Zanzibar parties say no to ’mitumba’ politicians
By Mwinyi Sadallah, Zanzibar, IPP Media
Thu, May 18, 2006
Zanzibar Attorney General Iddi Pandu Hassan has confirmed that he had received an application by a coalition of political parties seeking to bar retired leaders from running for elective offices.
Pandu said the application demands that aged politicians should not dabble in politics as they are pensioners enjoying the benefits of retirement.
’’They want retired and elderly leaders not to get involved in politics at all after retiring,’’ the AG said.
Pandu said the application was forwarded to his office late last year, but was left pending as it was not easy to deal with it because it required thorough deliberations before presenting it to the government.
’’In my opinion, this is not an issue that calls for a ban, but one that needs thorough deliberations. It is not a party issue; it is a national issue,’’ Pandu said.
He said that in some developed countries, similar restrictions are imposed on retired leaders. This is meant to dispense with conflict of interests, he added.
In other countries he said, retired politicians can still get involved.
He cited Britain, where leaders continue with politics long after retirement.
If the application is endorsed, it will affect retired presidents, ministers and other leaders on the Islands.
Zanzibar’s retired presidents have in the past two elections been instrumental in steering CCM to victory.
These are Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Dr Salmin Amour.
The two, are also members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Central Committee of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM.
Seif Shariff Hamad who has twice run for presidency and lost and Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal who also vied for the Isles top perch would also be affected.
Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad alleged recently that there was a plot to bar him from running for the presidency on the Isles.
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