ZANZIBAR: PEACE and political stability are essential to Tanzania’s continued development, Alliance for Tanzania Farmers Party (AAFP) Chairman Said Soud Said has said, urging political leaders to sustain efforts to promote unity and reconciliation.
Said explained that a peaceful environment gives citizens the confidence to pursue their livelihoods, grow businesses and contribute to the country’s economic development.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily News in Zanzibar, he said reconciliation should remain a priority for all political actors as Tanzania works to strengthen national unity and create conditions for sustainable development.
The AAFP top official made the remarks after witnessing the historic reconciliation between Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and ACT-Wazalendo, which culminated in the two parties signing a joint declaration aimed at promoting political cooperation and harmony.
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Said commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for guiding the process, describing the agreement as a sign of political maturity and a commitment to national unity.
“We congratulate President Samia Suluhu Hassan for bringing these issues to a point where they have reached a joint declaration. This is a process that has taken eight months, and it reflects leadership and maturity,” Said said.
According to him, the reconciliation had opened an opportunity for Zanzibaris to begin a new chapter focused on development and progress in both Unguja and Pemba.
The AFP chairman expressed hope that President Samia would continue championing reconciliation efforts across the United Republic of Tanzania, enabling citizens to pursue their activities in an atmosphere of peace, unity and cooperation.
“Citizens need to be able to do their work peacefully and with a spirit of togetherness so that we can continue building Tanzania as a nation of peace and stability,” he said.
Said urged political leaders to embrace dialogue and support initiatives that strengthen national cohesion, saying Tanzania’s long-standing tradition of peace and unity was a valuable legacy inherited from the country’s founding political movements, including TANU and the Afro-Shirazi Party.
He said maintaining peace and political stability would help create a conducive environment for economic growth, investment and improved livelihoods for Tanzanians.