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TANZANIAN
MILITARY BEGIN PATROLLING ZANZIBAR ISLANDS Updated: 27 October 2000 By HUGH McCULLUM ZANZIBAR - Oct. 26 - In an unusual move, the commander of Tanzania's Defence Forces invited Zanzibar-based media to sit in on a security briefing of military officers here today in which he announced that immediately army troops would begin street patrols. General Robert Mboma announced that patrols would be in the streets and rural areas of Pemba and Unguja, the two islands which form Zanzibar and that "citizens should not see this decision as cause for worry. Peace is our paramount concern," he said. Restrictions on movement of people will not occur and no curfews announced. The army, which falls under the Ministry of Defence, of the United Republic of Tanzania, normally has two brigades on the islands but the strength of these has been beefed up in recent days as both main political parties charge the other's supporters with violence and incitement. Mboma, arrived at Mogombani army camp here to brief his officers on their duties during the final days of the Oct. 29 election campaign up the swearing-in of the new president of Zanzibar. Never before has the media been invited to such a briefing in Zanzibar . Normally the military detachments on both islands remain in barracks, leaving police to handle security matters. Throughout his briefing, Mboma, flanked by Major-General Habib Mbarouk, commander of the Tanzanian military on the Zanzibar Islands, stressed that the general situation of security on the islands was good, although he did not once refer to police who fall under Tanzania's Ministry of Home Affairs, and have criticized by the opposition as favouring the ruling Chama Cha Mapunduzi (CCM). "I have just come from Pemba where things are all right although there is tension of some areas. The same applies here but there are some things which are not quite right. Some groups are attempting to deny people their rights to a free and fair vote and other organized groups are attempting to cause insecurity for political reasons." He gave his officers detailed instructions, ordering them to be alert and make certain that "when people see the soldiers in the streets they know it is for their own protection to prevent any disharmony during the period leading up to voting day, the announcement of the outcome of the election and the swearing-in of the new president." The officers were briefed in detail about all aspects of election processes and instructed that they must deal with every situation neutrally. But he stressed the army will be visible although "people have no need to worry. We will only be patrolling." Both CCM and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) have complained about the poor security arrangements and have both asked for a more visible army presence, the military being seen as more professional and less involved locally. Media observers said it was clear Mboma wanted the widest possible number of Zanzibaris to know that the army had been sent on patrol and beefed up. The commander gave no opportunity to either his officers or the media to ask questions, leaving the base directly for State House where he briefed out-going President Salmin Amour of the decision. Observers noted that the media was briefed first and as reporters returned from the military base, truckloads of soldiers could be seen in the streets. However they appeared to be lightly armed. In 1995 when Amour was declared the winner for CCM after a delayed vote count, CUF announced its own victory early which is a violation of the electoral law. Violence flared and CUF refused to accept the results and would not take its seats in the Zanzibar legislature. Despite the clear statement by the head of the Tanzania army, life on the streets seems normal. Many tourists stroll the picturesque Stone Town, markets and stores are busy, election rallies are large and noisy but other than posters plastered over the stone walls there is little outward sign of tension except among competing politicians. (SARDC) This article can be reproduced with credit to SARDC and the author Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) |
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