TANZANIA YAMKUMBUKA SHEIKH ABEID AMANI KARUME,MTU WA WATU.

By Issa Yussuf

SHEIKH Abeid Amani Karume, Rais wa kwanza wa Zanzibar, alikuwa mtu mcheshi mchangamfu aliyependa kujichanganya na watu.

Alikuwa ni mtu mwenye kujisikia raha sana kujichanganya na watu wa kawaida sanjari katika kushiriki nao mchezo wa jadi wa bao. Usafiri aliokuwa akitumia ni Baiskeli.

Mapenzi yake kujichanganya na watu kupita na kudhuru mazingira ya watu wa kawaida na kutobagua watu yalisababisha kuwa njia rahisi kwa maadui zake kumfanyia njama na hatimaye kumuua mnamo tarehe 7 April 1972.

Karume amekufa na kubaki kama shujaa huku miaka yake 8 ya utawala nchini Zanzibar umeacha alama Thabiti ya UMOJA.

In 1964, Karume led a successful revolution which led to the birth of a new Zanzibar and his quick move made the Isles what it is, only about one-hundred days after revolution. Karume was swift in reforms and nation building.

He spared no effort in making sure that Zanzibaris lived decent life: housing improvement, infrastructure development (Roads, Water supply, and Electricity), agriculture, as he declared health and education free of charge for all Zanzibaris.

Many admired and loved Karume for his compassion and integrity, but 44 years after his death, how are Zanzibaris remember him and what does the future hold without him?

Both main rival political parties in Zanzibar: Civic United Front (CUF) and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) agree that late Karume was a man of people and a committed leader, his steps worth following.

CUF remembera Karume by playing some of his speeches in public rallies, while CCM fans and leader praise him by implementing his plans. President Ali Mohammed Shein has been doing a lot to get back on Karume's track.

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