Africa-Press – Tanzania. RESIDENTS of Zanzibar have been urged to continue fostering peace and national unity as Tanzania approaches its general elections later this year, in line with the principles championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The call was made by both religious and political leaders during a special prayer session to mark four years of President Samia in power.
The prayer took place at Magomeni Mzalendo grounds in Zanzibar.
Religious leader Sheikh Muhammed Ayoub Muhamed said that the prayers were dedicated to recognising and appreciating the significant contributions of both President Samia and Zanzibar’s President Dr Hussein Mwinyi in maintaining peace and unity across the nation.
“We have gathered today to pray for the continued good health and guidance of our leaders, so they may continue leading the nation towards further prosperity,” Sheikh Muhamed said.
He added: “We are all witnesses of the remarkable development and strengthening of international relations under President Samia’s leadership.”
The Magomeni Member of the House of Representatives, Mr Jamali Kassim Ali, stressed that under President Samia’s four-year leadership, development projects across both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar have continued to thrive, particularly in key sectors such as road infrastructure, healthcare, education, energy and the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
“Under the leadership of President Samia and President Mwinyi, essential services are being brought closer to the people,” he said.
He added: “This includes the construction of modern multi-storey schools, hospitals, roads, the Mwalimu Nyerere Hydropower Plant and the SGR, which is the longest railway of its kind in Africa.”
Mr Ali who previously served as Zanzibar’s Minister for Finance and Planning, also commended the political reconciliation efforts spearheaded by President Samia, particularly her 4Rs philosophy, which has fostered trust and opened a new chapter for democracy in the country.
He expressed pride that the prayer had brought together people from diverse political backgrounds, underscoring that praying for peace and unity ahead of the elections is a shared national responsibility.
The Chairman of the ACT Wazalendo party in Zanzibar’s Urban West region, Mr Haji Dude Haji echoed the sentiment, saying that peace and national unity are pillars of national development.
However, he insisted that peace must be accompanied by justice, as the nation approaches the general elections.
“Our party leader has always emphasised that peace cannot exist without justice. The key issue is ensuring both are upheld, particularly during this election period, where the winner must be rightfully declared and the loser must accept the results,” he explained.
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