Fifteen years ago today, the people of Zanzibar voted with hope and conviction in a historic referendum that changed the course of our islands’ political history. On July 31, 2010, a resounding 66.4 per cent of voters said “YES” to a power-sharing system designed to end decades of political turmoil and pave the way for a new era of reconciliation, stability, and national unity.
The referendum was not just about constitutional reform. It was a profound national choice – a moment when Zanzibaris chose dialogue over division, peace over polarisation. It was the culmination of a courageous initiative led by the then-President of Zanzibar, Dr Amani Abeid Karume, and the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, then leader of the opposition. Their landmark handshake on November 5, 2009, at the Zanzibar State House — unthinkable just months before — sent a powerful message: that reconciliation was not only possible, but necessary.
Behind that symbolic act stood the tireless work of the Maridhiano Committee, composed of six individuals from both sides of the political divide: Mzee Hassan Nassor Moyo (Chairman), Hon. Abubakar Khamis Bakary (Vice Chairman), ourselves – Mansoor Yussuf Himid and Ismail Jussa – alongside Mohamed Ahmed Al Mugheiry (Eddy Riyami), and Salim Bimani as members. As part of the team, we witnessed firsthand the power of listening, compromise, and political courage. We saw leaders put the interests of the nation above personal or partisan gain.
The fruit of that effort was the 10th Constitutional Amendment, which enshrined the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Zanzibar’s Constitution — a bold experiment in inclusive governance aimed at breaking the cycle of post-election violence and deepening democratic legitimacy.
Mixed emotions
Today, as we commemorate 15 years since that transformative referendum, we do so with mixed emotions: pride in what was achieved, and concern for what can be lost.
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The GNU and Maridhiano processes were never perfect. They were born of painful necessity, not of convenience. But they gave Zanzibar something rare: a moment of consensus in a deeply divided polity, a shared platform from which to build a better future.
In the years since, however, we have witnessed the slow erosion of the spirit of Maridhiano. Incremental reversals, political marginalisation, and a return to winner-takes-all mentalities have weakened the foundations of unity that the people endorsed in 2010. The gains of peace and inclusion are not irreversible. Without vigilance, they can — and do— unravel.
This year, as Zanzibar prepares for general elections on October 29, 2025, we are once again hearing worrying echoes of the past: rising tension, growing mistrust, and fears of a return to contested, even violent, electoral outcomes. This is precisely the kind of scenario that Maridhiano was meant to prevent.
Call to action
We therefore call upon all political leaders, electoral institutions, civil society, and the international community to act decisively and responsibly in the spirit of Maridhiano, including ensuring a level playing field for all political actors and guaranteeing the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
Other steps could include upholding and protecting the rights and freedoms of all Zanzibaris, regardless of political affiliation; recommit to dialogue, compromise, and inclusive governance as the cornerstone of Zanzibar’s stability; and reaffirm the legitimacy of the Government of National Unity and its underlying constitutional vision.
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Fifteen years ago, the people of Zanzibar gave us a mandate to reconcile, to unite, and to heal. It is now our duty — indeed, our moral obligation — to honour that legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation.
Maridhiano was never meant to be a one-time fix. It was always intended to be a continuous process — a culture of political maturity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Let us not betray the promise of 2010. Let us instead renew the spirit of Maridhiano and ensure that Zanzibar moves forward — not backwards — on the path of peace, democracy, and national unity.
Mansoor Yussuf Himid is a former member of the Maridhiano Committee and has held various cabinet positions in past Zanzibar governments. Ismail Jussa is also a former member of the Maridhiano Committee and currently Vice Chairman (Zanzibar) of ACT Wazalendo. These are the writer’s own opinions, and they do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
