ACT-Wazalendo National Chairperson Othman Masoud Othman has defended the newly signed political reconciliation agreement between his party and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), describing it as a rare opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen political stability and secure Zanzibar's long-term development.
Speaking after the signing of the Joint Declaration on Political Reconciliation at the State House on Thursday, Mr Othman acknowledged that the initiative has generated mixed reactions among Zanzibaris but insisted that dialogue remains the only sustainable path to resolving the Isles' recurring political disputes.
The declaration, witnessed by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, commits CCM and ACT-Wazalendo to implementing a set of agreed political reforms aimed at strengthening cooperation and preventing future electoral conflicts.
Mr Othman said public opinion on the reconciliation process broadly falls into three categories.
He said the first group comprises leaders and citizens who have welcomed the initiative with optimism, viewing it as a genuine opportunity to establish lasting peace and expecting the two parties to honour their commitments.
A second group, he noted, remains cautious because previous reconciliation efforts failed to deliver the expected political reforms, leaving many citizens doubtful that the latest agreement will produce different results.
The third group, according to Mr Othman, opposes both the reconciliation process and the idea of a Government of National Unity, arguing that the arrangement cannot address Zanzibar's political challenges.
He criticised those using Zanzibar's revolutionary history to oppose dialogue.
"The most unfortunate argument is that Zanzibar is a revolutionary nation and should therefore be governed through revolutionary principles alone as though the purpose of a revolution is disorder, violence, corruption and the absence of law and proper governance," Mr Othman said.
He urged political stakeholders and the public to judge the agreement by its implementation rather than by past political divisions, saying reconciliation should be seen as a foundation for national unity, democratic governance and sustainable development.
The latest accord represents another attempt by CCM and ACT-Wazalendo to ease decades of political tensions that have periodically followed elections in Zanzibar.
Its success, however, is expected to depend largely on the willingness of both parties to translate their commitments into concrete reforms that strengthen public confidence in the political process.
