Africa-Press – Tanzania. ACT Wazalendo’s presidential candidate for Zanzibar, Othman Masoud Othman, has pledged sweeping reforms to restore justice, rebuild trust in government, and transform the economy, as he launched his party’s 2025 election manifesto at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Zanzibar on Wednesday.
Speaking before editors, journalists, and party leaders, Othman described the launch of the manifesto as a “historic moment” for the people of Zanzibar, coming just weeks before the general election scheduled for October 29.
He urged the media to share the party’s message widely, saying the manifesto reflects the collective vision, research, and aspirations of a new generation of Zanzibaris seeking change and a fresh direction for their country.
“For too long, Zanzibar has been trapped in recurring challenges that threaten our people’s well-being — youth unemployment, poor health services, a collapsing education system, and authoritarian rule that ignores public interest,” Othman said.
He accused the current government of failing to provide real leadership, instead offering “empty promises” while allowing corruption and human rights abuses to persist.
“The notion of human rights and good governance has been reduced to mere theory — used to oppress the powerless and deny justice,” he claimed.
Othman emphasized that ACT Wazalendo was “reborn” in 2019 when the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad and his followers joined the party after their struggle for justice was hijacked. Since then, he said, the party has developed strong strategies and a clear brand promise — to stand for integrity, equality, and prosperity for all Zanzibaris.
Othman outlined four main pillars on which the party’s manifesto is built: Economy- Stimulating economic growth through modern agriculture and fishing, sustainable tourism, entrepreneurship, and value-added industries to confront climate change.
Authority– Pursuing a fair and equal Union between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania, ensuring Zanzibar attains full respect and autonomy as an equal partner.
Justice: Strengthening the fight against corruption and restoring the rule of law and accountability in the use of public resources.
Society: Promoting social harmony through genuine reconciliation, and restoring moral values and child upbringing rooted in Zanzibar’s culture.
“The ACT Wazalendo manifesto seeks to restore faith and hope by addressing real issues that affect every household — quality education, better health services, decent jobs, social protection, and an inclusive economy,” he added.
He highlighted five major priorities of his campaign: Reviewing the Union Agreement and amending both constitutions to ensure Zanzibar’s full authority and fair governance, and Institutionalizing reconciliation and leading reforms in moral and civic education.
Overhauling legal, electoral, and human rights systems to ensure accountability, reforming taxation, pensions, and social security, and transforming agriculture and the economy by 2030, and promoting technological innovation, information services, and research for sustainable development.
Othman called on Zanzibaris to believe in the vision presented in the manifesto, describing it as a roadmap for hope and renewal.
“This is the time for change — the time for ACT Wazalendo. Only ACT Wazalendo can deliver that change,” he declared to applause from party supporters.
He urged voters to choose a future of justice, equality, and development.
Concluding his remarks, Othman invited the chairperson of the party’s manifesto committee, Professor Omar Fakih Hamad, to present the detailed summary of the 2025 ACT Wazalendo manifesto.
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