Yes, the Union is here to stay

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Published on Monday, 27 April 2015 07:22

Written by EDITOR

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TANZANIANS marked 51 years of the historic union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar on Sunday.

The main event, a momentous occasion indeed, was held at the national level at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

At the age of 51 the Union has certainly come of age. It is indisputable that at 51 the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar is the oldest and most tenacious in Africa.

It is also one of the most outstanding in the world because it has seen similar unions disintegrate. Many nations have seen their cherished unions fall apart, often after a spate of acrimony which culminated in their disbandment.

It is imperative to cite here former nations such as Czechoslovakia, Russia (USSR) and Korea which split after their unions failed to work. It would be remiss on our part not to mention at the outset the architects of the Union.

These were Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the then President of Tanganyika, and Abeid Amani Karume, then President of Zanzibar. The two merged their countries on April 26, 1964. So, the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar remains intact despite dissenting voices, some of which have had to be calmed down through dialogue.

The bone of contention here has often been the claim that Zanzibar does not have enough of the Union cake. But the claims are often erroneous and misplaced.

Tanzanians should cherish the benefits of the Union instead of simply dwelling on problems which can amicably be ironed out by the leaders of Zanzibar and those of the Union government. The Tanzania of 1964 has undergone tremendous changes, from single party to multiparty democracy, to cope with the global socio-economic and political arrangements.

Tanzanians should take pride in the establishment of the only Union which is simply unique in Africa. The Union has also seen trade activities between the two Union partners benefiting their people.

The Mainlanders now travel to Zanzibar to sell or buy goods. In the same vein, Zanzibaris come to the Mainland for business activities. And there are, of course, inter-marriages.

The Union has also contributed to the stability of Zanzibar where political rivalry was hitherto intense. Tanzanians should also be aware that the Articles of the Union have been revisited and a few critical amendments made to comply with modern-day requirements.

In fact, Tanzanians have experienced many advantages due to the existence of the Union. Some of the most important merits include Tanzania being a proverbial island of peace in the turbulent Great Lakes Region. No doubt, peace and stability are a boon in the Union