Government Power Sharing in Zanzibar: A Solution to Political Conflicts?

Abstract

Since the reinstatement of multiparty politics in Zanzibar, political conflicts between the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the main opposition party Civic United Front (CUF) has characterized the electoral politics. There have been sporadic incidents of violence, hostilities and mutual distrust leading to increasing destabilization of the current political system.Power sharing agreements have been widely used in Africa as paths out of civil and political conflicts. This article expounds on the pattern of political conflict, disputed elections and electro violence experience in Zanzibar after each year of election prior to the revolution of 1964 and thereafterThe article also focuses on examining the establishment of power sharing government after the disputed elections and electro violence as a solution  to political conflict with a view to establish its viability in guaranteeing sustainable peace and democracy.Informing this discussion is an assertion that while addressing the grievances and curing problems of election mismanagement is an important prerequisite for establishing viable power sharing governments some African countries including Zanzibar. While in real sense it is true to say that the Zanzibar political conflict is historical base since it has started before revolution and the main source of such conflict is election dissatisfaction which divided the people of the islands. Thus, the independence of electro commission in relation to election management is an important aspect to be taken care so as to avoid potential political conflicts, which destruct the peace and security in the country.

Keywords: Power sharing, Government of National Unity, Political Conflict, The House of Representatives, Muafaka Peace Accord.