An assessment of the impact of the 1964 Zanzibar revolution on political party-formation in zanzibar; 1977-2005

Abstract

This dissertation presents an assessment of the impact of the1964 Zanzibar Revolution on political party formation in Tanzania, 1977-2005 conducted in Urban District of Zanzibar, between December 2008 March 2009 the findings also showed that there were many political parties before the revolution but the moment the coup took place they were forced underground by the new revolutionary government. A part from that, the study found out that there has been a political crisis in Tanzania, because of the following: lack of political tolerance between two contending parties i.e. CCM and CUF, poor elections code and regulations practiced by ZEC, Union question especially in those additional Articles dealing with such as petroleum and status of Zanzibar in the context of Union. The form of Union government, unevenness in the distribution of the subsides among the political parties, political roles which CCM and its governments played in the implementation of Muafaka as well as tremendous economic hardship have also caused political crisis in Tanzania. The study further portrayed that the accord (Muafaka) entered into by the ruling party in Zanzibar -CCM and the strong opposition party-CUF, was exactly aimed at undermining long term conflicts which were rampant in Zanzibar polity prior to and after the revolution. But surprisingly CCM governments became reluctant against these negotiations. The study recommended that, there is a great need to resolve the Union issue together with the implementation of Muafaka. Otherwise the long term impact of the revolution might not be beneficial to the ordinary people of Tanzania.