Written by
Faridah N Kulumba
Authorities in Tanzania freed two Tanzanian leaders of Islamist group that advocated for independence for Tanzania’s semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, after terrorism charges against them were drooped.
The two top leaders Farid Hadi and Msellem Ali Msellem plus 34 other Muslim clerics of the civil society group the Association for Islamic Mobilisation and Propagation commonly known in Swahili as UAMSHO (Awakening), were freed on Tuesday night last week.
The news of dropping all charges was confirmed to reporters by the director of public prosecution, Sylvester Mwakitalu, although he did not give details. But the leader’s lawyer. Juma Abdullah, told The Associated Press the decision came as a happy surprise, Sulutan reported.
The two top leaders and others were facing charges of getting involved in terror offences contrary to section 27(c) of the prevention of terrorism Act 2002.
UAMSHO
UAMSHO is a pro-Zanzibar independence Islamist separatist group legally registered in Zanzibar, led by Farid Hadi Ahmed. The group seeks independence for Zanzibar from Tanzania.
According to UAMSHO constitution, was established for the purpose of promoting love, unity and development among Islamic believers, promote their dignity, heritage and history, to encourage them in matters of their religion, spreading Islamic religion, protecting and defending the rights of human being in Islam.
From Religious movement to politics
Zanzibar has full autonomy rather than remain under the umbrella of the Union of Tanganyika and Tanzania.
Riots, incitement to murder and general criticism, Zanzibar and Tanzania government has criticized UAMSHO for fail to stick to its purpose as registered and instead has turned into a political group questioning Zanzibar’s place in Tanzania.
UAMSHO had friction with the governments of both Tanzania and Zanzibar for using its religious platform to advocate policy changes.
The group has been accused of no longer being a purely religious movement. And it has called for a referendum on zanzibar’s exit from the united Republic of Tanzania.
Live to tell
Shortly after their release from remand prison, Muslim clerics recounted the ordeal that they had gone through during the past eight years, but thanked the newly sworn in President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan for their release, The Citizen reported.
Sheikh Farid Hadi while speaking at his mother’s home at Beil in Zanzibar, said they had been victimised during the past eight years, but said he was thankful that they had finally walked to freedom.
“There is no one who can repay the tears of my mother, those of my kids, those of my wife and those of my own…There is no one who can repay my own dignity because sometimes, we had to be interrogated while naked but finally, wisdom had prevailed,” he said.
He added that during the eight years they spent behind bars, their business collapsed and that they lost millions of shillings.
“We now have to start from scratch.. “It is good that the government has finally seen that it is wisdom that builds peace, love, patience, compassion and human dignity in a country,” said Sheikh Farid.
Sheikh Farid also said there were a lot of shortfalls, characterised with the use of massive force in the way the suspects were being interrogated, hence the need for change.
Conditions
Sheikh Mselem, revealed that the team had been released on condition that should they commit any crime, they may be rearrested on similar charges as those that had just been dropped.
Their release came after several religious leaders across the country had called on President Hassan’s government to exercise its wisdom in dealing with the suspects, with some appealing directly to government leaders to prosecute or release the accused.