The Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar and Pemba lie off the east African coast. The semi-autonomous territory maintains a political union with Tanzania, but has its own parliament and president. A former centre of the spice and slave trades, present-day Zanzibar is infused with African, Arab, European and Indian influences.
Overview
Zanzibar's original settlers were Bantu-speaking Africans. From the 10th century Persians arrived. But it was Arab incomers, particularly Omanis, whose influence was paramount.
Stone Town - declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco
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They set up trading colonies and in 1832 the Omani sultan moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, which had become a major slave-trading centre. Zanzibar became an independent sultanate. The slave trade was abolished in 1873 and in 1890 the British declared Zanzibar a protectorate. In 1963 the islands regained independence, but upheaval was around the corner. Revolution In January 1964 members of the African majority overthrew the established minority Arab ruling elite. The leftist revolution was swift but bloody; as many as 17,000 people were killed. A republic was established and in April the presidents of Zanzibar and Tanganyika, on the mainland, signed an act of union, forming the United Republic of Tanzania while giving semi-autonomy to Zanzibar. Under international pressure, Zanzibar held multi-party elections in 1995, which were won by the ruling, pro-union Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) rejected the outcome and alleged vote rigging. Political violence ensued. The CCM won troubled polls in 2000 and 2005, both characterised by violence and fraud accusations. In 2000 many CUF supporters fled to Kenya after deadly clashes with police. Both parties signed a reconciliation agreement in 2001, but political tension remains. Under the CCM, Zanzibar is set to remain part of Tanzania. But the CUF, which has strong support among the descendants of the deposed Arabs, has called for greater autonomy. Some CUF members want independence. The two parties began negotiations towards a powersharing deal in February 2008. Tourism is Zanzibar's newest and biggest industry. But most Zanzibaris have yet to benefit from it; the average wage is less than $1 per day.
Facts
- Territories: Zanzibar and Pemba Island
- Status: Semi-autonomous islands in union with Tanzania
- Population: 982,000 (2002, Tanzania census)
- Capital: Zanzibar
- Area: 2,461 sq km (950 sq miles)
- Major languages: Kiswahili, English
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 44 years (women)
- Monetary unit: Tanzania shilling
- Main exports: Cloves, seaweed, coconut, copra
- GNI per capita: n/a
- Internet domain: .tz
- International dialling code: +255
Leaders
President: Amani Abeid Karume Incumbent president Amani Karume won a second term in October 2005's hotly-contested presidential poll. Official results gave him 53% of the vote. It was the third win in a row for the ruling CCM.
Zanzibar's president, Amani Karume
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The election was marred by clashes between police and opposition supporters. The opposition CUF said the government had tried to falsify the results; its candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad, had claimed victory. Mr Karume began his first term in 2000, having been trade and industry minister in the 1990s. He promised to boost the economy, restore relations with the opposition CUF and to settle the differences between Zanzibar and Pemba. But under his rule political tensions have shown little sign of abating. Born in 1948, he is the son of the former president Abeid Karume, the leader of the 1964 revolution, who was assassinated in 1972. Under his father's leadership the political partnership between Zanzibar and mainland Tanganyika was sealed. In 2000 Amani Karume promised to "foster a closer union come what may." Zanzibar has its own cabinet, known as the Revolutionary Council, and a 50-seat house of representatives. Elections, by popular vote, are held every five years. Under a winner-takes-all electoral system, the opposition has no representation in government.
Media
The media in Zanzibar are subject to a different set of regulations to their counterparts in mainland Tanzania. The government operates radio and TV services. There are no private broadcasters, although stations from the mainland can be received. The 1964 revolution put paid to one of east Africa's most dynamic press scenes. In late 2003 the Zanzibar government banned the Dira weekly - the first private publication to be launched in the post-revolution era. Media rights organisation Reporters Without Borders has said there is no press freedom in Zanzibar. The BBC World Service broadcasts on FM in Zanzibar and Pemba. The press - Zanzibar Leo (Zanzibar Today) - state-run daily
- Zanzibar Wiki Hii (Zanzibar This Week) - private, weekly
Television Radio - Voice of Tanzania-Zanzibar - government-operated
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