President Hussein Ali Mwinyi on Tuesday swore in Othman Masoud Othman as Zanzibar’s First Vice President, saying the political reconciliation between CCM and ACT-Wazalendo should now translate into faster economic development and greater opportunities for citizens.
The swearing-in at State House in Zanzibar marked another step in implementing the agreement reached by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and ACT-Wazalendo following a joint declaration signed on July 9, 2026.
Dr Mwinyi said the reconciliation should provide a foundation for strengthening peace, unity and stability while allowing leaders to focus more attention on economic and social challenges facing Zanzibaris.
“Reconciliation is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of work,” Dr Mwinyi said, urging leaders and citizens to maintain cooperation and direct their efforts towards development.
He said the priorities should include expanding the economy, creating jobs and opportunities for young people, empowering women, strengthening tourism, developing the Blue Economy and attracting investment.
The President said the political understanding between CCM and ACT-Wazalendo represented an opportunity to create a more stable environment for development, with the focus now shifting from reconciliation to delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
Othman thanked Dr Mwinyi for the responsibility entrusted to him and pledged to carry out his duties faithfully, putting the interests of Zanzibar and its people first.
His appointment forms part of the implementation of the political agreement reached between CCM and ACT-Wazalendo, following the joint declaration signed at State House on July 9.
The development comes as Zanzibar seeks to build on political reconciliation by strengthening its economy and expanding opportunities in sectors such as tourism, investment and the Blue Economy.