Mwinyi encourages free public debates on Union issues

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Ali Mwinyi has encouraged leaders, academicians and other members of the public to freely discuss the opportunities and challenges of the 60-year Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika.

“We need to hear from you. Give constructive ideas, especially on the implementation of Government Policies and Plans in developing our nation,” Dr Mwinyi said on Tuesday in his speech to grace a forum on 60 years of the Union.

He challenged them to discuss and advise both governments on priority areas such as how best to implement the Blue Economy agenda, investments, economic diplomacy and other areas of development.

The forum held here at the Dr Ali Mohamed Shein multipurpose hall at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), was jointly organized by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA)- centre for international relations and the Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) based at Kurasini in Dar es Salaam.

Dr Mwinyi mentioned that 60 years of the glorious Revolution of Zanzibar and the Union of Tanzania, is the cornerstone for many developments achieved in various sectors including social, economic, political and diplomacy.

He expressed his confidence in the participants of the forum, saying it was an opportunity for them to explain the benefits of the Revolution and Union in the past 60 years.

“Definitely, you will provide concrete arguments, statistics and detailed information about the past, the present and the future,” he said. President Mwinyi commended the organizers for choosing Zanzibar and conducting an essay writing competition for students, aimed at strengthening the Zanzibar/Tanganyika Union and the Glorious Revolution of Zanzibar.

He urged participants of the conference also to discuss the importance of maintaining the Zanzibar Revolution and honoring founders of the nation, the late Abeid Amani Karume and the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office (Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance), Mr Haroun Ali Suleiman also asked the participants of the forum to continue talking about achievements gained under the leadership of Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and her counterpart Dr Mwinyi, along with cooperation from Tanzanians.

The forum was an opportunity for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Janary Makamba to thank Tanzanians in general for giving their views in discussing the new Foreign Policy.

Dr Shaaban Mwinchum Suleiman from IPA asked the Zanzibar government to improve the institute in order to up efficiency.