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CUF leaders bank on President Kikwete to save political accord
2008-05-11 11:26:44
By Correspondent Suleiman Rashid Omar, Chakechake
With the negotiations for a political accord between the ruling CCM party and its main rival CUF in Zanzibar in limbo, angered residents of Pemba yesterday repeated their threat to secede from Zanzibar.
``We don`t want mwafaka, we don`t` want government of unity. We want our island Pemba freed so that we run our own affairs,`` CUF marchers sang as they swept the streets here from Macho Manne to Gombani ya Kale grounds to hear their top leaders.
In their message the residents said they will boycott the government owned ships MV Maendeleo and MV Mapinduzi as well as stop selling bananas and other foodstuffs to sister island Unguja.
CUF Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba and General Secretary Seif Sharrif Hamad told the rally that their party was still banking on President Jakaya Kikwete who they praised for solving similar problems in other troubled states to rescue the situation.
Hamad volunteered to meet Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume to set the stage for averting the looming danger on Zanzibar`s stability.
Secession is considered treason under the country`s constitution.
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