- Title: Zanzibar: Elections Marred By Violence As Karume Re-Elected President
- Date: 30th October 2005
- Summary: On October 30, 2005, the people of Zanzibar went to the polls to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections. Voters faced the choice of electing either the socialist Revolutionary Party (CCM), who had ruled the territory for over 30 years, or the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), with their manifesto promising widespread economic reform and privatisation. Hopes of a peaceful election were swiftly shattered with reports that police used tear gas and water cannon against protestors. While unrest continued on October 31, both parties were claiming victory and trading accusations of cheating and malpractice. As fighting between police and demonstrations carried on into a third day, Amani Abeid Karume was returned for a further term as President of Zanzibar. Official figures showed Karume had won 53. 2% of the ballot compared to his opponent, Seif Shariff Hamad, who took 46. 1%. Hamad refused to accept the figures and claimed the CCM had fixed the ballot. He went on to vow that his party would organise Ukrainian style mass protests in an attempt to overturn the result. However, on November 2, Amani Abeid Karume was sworn in as President. In his inauguration speech, he called for the opposition party to accept its defeat and refrain from sparking civil unrest in the country. WARNING:LOCAL MUSIC LICENCES MAY APPLY. Copyright laws covering the composition, arrangement and/or performance of music differ from country to country, and even from state to state within some countries. These range from limiting the law to specific circumstances - e. g. 'performances given by professionals to a paying audience' - to total coverage that encompasses everything from a professional performance to the most amateur rendition - e. g. 'spectators at sports events'. If in doubt we recommend that either the section containing 'Music' is deleted or that the sound level is turned down and covered with commentary.
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- Location: TANZANIA ZANZIBAR
- Reuters ID: LDL0012P53N2N
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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- Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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