McLaren
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 19, 2025
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ACT Wazalendo has taken concrete steps toward joining Zanzibar’s Government of National Unity SUK as talks between the party and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government reach their final stages.
The development follows sustained efforts by the Zanzibar government to persuade ACT Wazalendo to join the unity government, including the gradual implementation of some conditions set by the party. Formation of SUK is a constitutional requirement under Zanzibar law.
Mwananchi has learned that ACT Wazalendo’s Central Committee will meet in Dar es Salaam on January 17 or 18, 2026, with joining the unity government listed as a key agenda item.
According to sources, the meeting will determine the party’s direction on SUK, as the 90 day constitutional window for forming the government will have 36 days remaining by then.
This will not be the first internal discussion on the matter. The party’s leadership previously met on November 23, 2025, in Zanzibar to review the general election and briefly touched on the union government issue.
Sources say ACT Wazalendo’s cautious approach stems from past experiences, particularly alleged violations of agreements made when the party joined SUK in 2020 under the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.
Speaking on Sunday January 4, 2026, ACT Wazalendo Mainland vice chairperson Issihaka Mchinjita said the party’s position is to first assess the current political environment before deciding whether to join or stay out of SUK.
“We do not see the objectives of SUK being achieved through the way we joined previously. If entering in the same way will solve the problem, we are ready. But if it is only about sharing positions, then it will not make sense,” he said.
He added that internal discussions are ongoing and that the party will inform the public if and when it reaches a decisive stage.
The development follows sustained efforts by the Zanzibar government to persuade ACT Wazalendo to join the unity government, including the gradual implementation of some conditions set by the party. Formation of SUK is a constitutional requirement under Zanzibar law.
Mwananchi has learned that ACT Wazalendo’s Central Committee will meet in Dar es Salaam on January 17 or 18, 2026, with joining the unity government listed as a key agenda item.
According to sources, the meeting will determine the party’s direction on SUK, as the 90 day constitutional window for forming the government will have 36 days remaining by then.
This will not be the first internal discussion on the matter. The party’s leadership previously met on November 23, 2025, in Zanzibar to review the general election and briefly touched on the union government issue.
Sources say ACT Wazalendo’s cautious approach stems from past experiences, particularly alleged violations of agreements made when the party joined SUK in 2020 under the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.
Speaking on Sunday January 4, 2026, ACT Wazalendo Mainland vice chairperson Issihaka Mchinjita said the party’s position is to first assess the current political environment before deciding whether to join or stay out of SUK.
“We do not see the objectives of SUK being achieved through the way we joined previously. If entering in the same way will solve the problem, we are ready. But if it is only about sharing positions, then it will not make sense,” he said.
He added that internal discussions are ongoing and that the party will inform the public if and when it reaches a decisive stage.
