ZANZIBAR: MINISTERS, deputy ministers and members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) have strongly defended the Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika, while also supporting the government’s continued borrowing to finance development projects.
The defence was led by Kwahani Constituency Representative and Deputy Minister for Communication, ICT and Innovation, Mohammed Sijaamini Mohammed, following criticism from opposition legislators, particularly from ACT-Wazalendo, who questioned both the Union and the government’s borrowing strategy.
Opposition lawmakers argued that the current Union structure contributes to high youth unemployment in Zanzibar, claiming that many job opportunities are being taken by workers from mainland Tanzania.
They also expressed concern that continued borrowing for development projects places an increasing burden on ordinary citizens. Representative Mohammed Ali Salim (Ziwani, ACT-Wazalendo) argued that the government should prioritise employment for Zanzibari youth before extending opportunities to others.
Mr Salim further claimed that more than 70,000 young people in Zanzibar are unemployed and accused the government of failing to adequately address the problem.
Responding to the criticism, Mr Sijaamini said Zanzibaris are among the greatest beneficiaries of the Union because of the opportunities it provides, including representation in international forums and the freedom to live and work anywhere within the United Republic of Tanzania.
“We should be grateful to the founders of our Union, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume, for bringing us together.
We also recognise the efforts of the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad and President Dr Hussein Mwinyi in strengthening unity among Zanzibaris and consolidating the Union,” he said.
Representative Masoud Amour Masoud (Amani, CCM) urged citizens not to blame the Union for unemployment, arguing that social attitudes among some Zanzibaris also contribute to the challenge.
“We often discourage our children, especially girls, from working in hotels or security services because of concerns about moral decline. Meanwhile, others take advantage of those opportunities. Let us stop blaming the government,” he said.
Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments), Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa, emphasised that the Union would endure because it is rooted in the will of the people.
He noted that under the 1984 Zanzibar Constitution, any Tanzanian who resides in Zanzibar for 10 consecutive years qualifies to be recognised as a Zanzibari, with rights that include access to free healthcare services.
“Those who use unemployment and free healthcare policies as arguments against the Union have their own agendas,” he said.
Zanzibar Minister of State in the Office of the Second Vice President (Union Affairs and Policy), Hamza Hassan Juma, said the Union continues to benefit both sides and that there is no discrimination in Zanzibar.
He noted that many residents of Zanzibar’s communities are migrants from mainland Tanzania, while many Zanzibaris also live and work on the Mainland.
On employment, Mr Juma stressed the need for parents and young people to adapt to changing labour market demands and prepare themselves for available opportunities, noting that the government does not directly control recruitment in sectors such as tourism, transport and construction.
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Addressing concerns over healthcare, he said many Zanzibaris receive treatment in mainland Tanzania, either at their own expense or through government support, without experiencing discrimination.
He maintained that healthcare is not a Union matter and cautioned against interpreting Zanzibar’s free healthcare policy as discriminatory towards mainland Tanzanians.
Deputy Minister for Youth, Employment and Economic Empowerment Hassan Khamis Hafidh revealed that, of the 1,184 registered hotels in Zanzibar, a majority of workers originate from outside the islands.
He said the government is implementing programmes to equip local youth with the skills required to compete effectively in the job market.
“The Union should not be blamed for this. We must prepare ourselves so that all Tanzanians can benefit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Finance and Planning Dr Juma Malik Akili told the House that differing opinions on government affairs should not be used to portray the Union as ineffective.
“The Union has numerous benefits, especially for the younger generation on both sides. Issues such as employment, free healthcare and public borrowing are being carefully addressed by the government and should strengthen, rather than weaken, our Union,” he said.
Meanwhile, police in South Unguja Region have dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging discriminatory recruitment practices by companies operating in Zanzibar.
The reports claimed that job seekers were being required to present Zanzibar resident identity cards as a condition for employment.
Speaking to journalists at the South Unguja Regional Police Headquarters, Acting Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Khamis Lise Mwampelwa described the allegations as false and urged the public to disregard them.
According to a statement issued by the Police Information Unit at Zanzibar Police Headquarters, investigations established that the company at the centre of the claims, CRJE, a construction contractor had introduced an identification system solely for workers entering its construction sites for security purposes.
ACP Mwampelwa said the measure was intended to enhance safety and site management and had no connection to recruitment practices or discrimination.
He added that South Unguja Regional Police, in collaboration with other institutions, is investigating the source of the misleading information, which has caused unnecessary public concern, with a view to taking appropriate legal action.