Tanzania is poised for a potentially significant political breakthrough on Thursday as the ruling CCM and opposition ACT Wazalendo prepare to sign a joint declaration outlining agreed steps to resolve Zanzibar's political impasse following the October 2025 General Election.
The agreement, expected to be signed on July 9, is being presented by both sides as a renewed commitment to dialogue after eight months of consultations aimed at easing political tensions in the semi-autonomous archipelago.
In a statement released ahead of the signing, ACT Wazalendo described the declaration as a historic opportunity to open "a new chapter" for Zanzibar, arguing that the agreement prioritises the country's long-term stability over partisan interests.
"We thank the leaders of both parties for choosing the negotiating table instead of confrontation and for placing the interests of Zanzibar above political differences," the party said.
Zanzibar has experienced recurrent post-election political disputes over the past three decades, with several reconciliation initiatives producing mixed results.
The latest declaration therefore carries heightened expectations among political observers and citizens seeking a durable settlement.
ACT Wazalendo said it was entering the reconciliation process in the spirit of its late founder, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, whose political philosophy emphasised peaceful dialogue as the most sustainable means of resolving disputes.
The party maintained that its commitment to reconciliation, justice, accountability, national unity and inclusive development remains unchanged despite previous setbacks.
It further argued that the success of the process should not be measured by political gains for either CCM or ACT Wazalendo, but by its ability to restore public confidence and secure lasting peace in Zanzibar.
"The winner of this process is not any political party, but Zanzibar itself," the statement said.
The opposition party also thanked its supporters and the people of Zanzibar for maintaining calm and exercising political maturity during the eight-month engagement process.
It urged citizens to receive the joint declaration with an open mind, debate its contents constructively and monitor its implementation.
The signing of the declaration is expected to mark the beginning of a new phase in efforts to rebuild political trust in Zanzibar, where the implementation of past reconciliation agreements has often proved as challenging as reaching them.
Political attention will now shift from the signing ceremony to whether the commitments made by both parties translate into tangible reforms capable of preventing future electoral disputes.
