ACT Wazalendo National Chairperson Othman Masoud Othman has urged Zanzibaris to put political differences aside and work together to build the Isles, saying the success of the recently signed reconciliation agreement will depend on its faithful implementation.
Addressing party leaders and members at Konde Constituency Hall in Micheweni District during a two-day visit to Pemba, Othman said the political accord signed on July 9 at the State House in Unguja marked the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation rather than further negotiations.
The visit was intended to brief party members on the outcome of months of dialogue aimed at resolving Zanzibar's longstanding political impasse.
Othman said the Implementation Committee established under the agreement has no authority to amend or revoke the commitments reached by the negotiating parties.
"Its responsibility is to oversee the implementation of what has already been agreed. The agreement itself remains intact," he said.
He urged political leaders critical of the reconciliation process to refrain from creating public anxiety, arguing that many of those raising concerns were not directly involved in the negotiations.
"The time for political confrontation is behind us. Where mistakes were made, we should correct them and move forward instead of returning to conflict and instability," Othman said.
He said implementing the agreement would help consolidate peace, restore public confidence in political institutions and create a more conducive environment for Zanzibar's development.
According to Othman, the dialogue was never intended to produce a power-sharing arrangement but to strengthen democratic governance, the rule of law and protection of citizens' rights.
"Our objective was to ensure that Zanzibar is governed according to the Constitution and the law, where every citizen can participate freely in public affairs and contribute to national development," he said.
Othman noted that although 62 years have passed since the Zanzibar Revolution, some political actors still favour divisive politics, which he said no longer reflects the aspirations of the people.
He also acknowledged the role played by former Zanzibar presidents in facilitating the reconciliation process, saying they prioritised national interests over partisan considerations.
Speaking on the Government of National Unity (GNU), Othman said the constitutional framework provides that the winning party forms the government while the runner-up assumes the office of First Vice President.
However, he said concerns over the conduct of the previous election prompted ACT Wazalendo to seek political dialogue.
He disclosed that negotiations lasted from November 9, 2025, to July 9, 2026, involving about 20 meetings before the final agreement was reached.
ACT Wazalendo Zanzibar Vice Chairperson Ismail Jussa praised party members for their patience and resilience throughout the negotiations, saying their support had enabled the leadership to pursue dialogue despite political challenges.
He described the current political calm in Zanzibar as a result of Othman's leadership and called on members to continue supporting efforts to advance democratic reforms envisioned by the party's late leader, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.
Jussa also stressed that the agreement does not merge political parties, noting that each party will continue to operate independently while respecting the commitments reached through dialogue.
He dismissed claims from some ruling party leaders that Othman acted improperly by discussing aspects of the agreement publicly.
"The agreement was signed openly before political leaders, government representatives and both local and international witnesses. It is a public commitment that all parties are expected to honour," he said.
ACT Wazalendo Mainland Vice Chairperson Is-haka Rashid Mchinjita commended party members in Pemba for their unity and steadfastness, describing them as a driving force behind the search for a peaceful political settlement.
Earlier, ACT Wazalendo Zanzibar Deputy Secretary-General Omar Ali Shehe said the strong turnout at the meeting reflected members' support for the party leadership's decision to endorse the reconciliation agreement aimed at ending Zanzibar's political stalemate.
