Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, has
been mandated to mediate in the political dispute that
broke out in the Zanzibar region of Tanzania after the
country’s general election.
Kamalesh Sharma, secretary-general of Commonwealth,
asked Jonathan, who led a 33-nation observer mission
to the country in October, to lead a delegation that will
hold talks with the key political figures in the region.
Crisis erupted in Zanzibar after Jecha Salim Jecha,
chairman of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC),
annulled the presidential election of October 25 against
the wish of the people.
Jecha cited irregularities and announced that a re-run
would hold at an unannounced date.
“I, Jecha Salim Jecha, exercising the powers bestowed
in me, declare all election results null and void… a fresh
election will be conducted on a date to be announced
later,” he had said.
However, the situation tore apart, Zanzibar’s ruling
Chama cha Mapinduzi party and Civic United Front
(CUF), the main opposition party in the region.
International observer missions and key development
partners of the election condemned Jecha’s action,
saying both the voting and counting processes were
held in an atmosphere of peace.
But in a letter personally signed by Sharma, the
secretary-general appealed to Jonathan to help restore
peace to troubled parts of the East African nation.
“As you are aware, the Zanzibar electoral situation
remains unsolved, although recent reports indicating
willingness by the main political parties to engage in
talking is encouraging,” the letter read.
“In view of the Commonwealth’s historical role as the
moral generator of the Muafaka Accords, it is important
that we remain engaged to continue to encourage all
concerned to resolve the situation in a peaceful and
sustainable manner.
“I am therefore delighted and honoured that you have
kindly agreed to be my special representative over the
coming weeks, in order to remain in contact with key
political leaders and to encourage them towards an
expeditious resolution of the impasse.”
Jonathan’s decision to concede the 2015 general
election has earned him accolades across the world,
especially in Africa.
Tanzanians showered encomiums on him and the
leading newspapers in the country paid tributes to
Jonathan when he led the Commonwealth observer
mission.
In one of its editorials, The Daily News of Tanzania,
lauded the immediate past president of Nigeria for taking
his defeat in the last presidential election “in all
magnanimity”, adding that “Jonathan may very well have
averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent
leaders who cling in power tooth and nail, fang and
claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania,
pray?”
In the editorial entitled: ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania
from Nigeria’s latest elections; the paper said further: “It
is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was
unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the
opposition candidate won the presidency.
“What is more remarkable is that the incumbent
president who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, …
most graciously accepted the results promptly!
“Oh, I don’t know beyond the fact that Tanzania could
tragically do worse if it fails to dedicatedly take a leaf
out of Nigeria’s newest book on elections!”
Similarly, the Guardian of Tanzania described him as “a
democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest
of Africa”.
In its own editorial comment entitled ‘High profile
figures among observers will add credibility to poll
process, results’, The Guardian stated: “Jonathan’s
voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a
new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that
it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over
powers to winning opposition parties.”
https://www.thecable.ng/jonathan-mediate-tanzanian-political-crisis

Africans and sit tight syndrome.

Jonathan the mediator..... carry go

We shall see what your PMB will become when he leaves office.

But why did they nulllify the election?

Applauding mediocrity. Africa will never cease to amaze me. Exactly what is this clueless man good for? He concedes defeat and the whole continent sees him as a hero. was he supposed to start a war??

TonyeBarcanista:
But why did they nulllify the election?

There were wide spread irregularities and opposition party alleged that electronic system used to count the votes had been manipulated by the ruling party.

mediachirps:
We shall see what your PMB will become when he leaves office.

cattle rearear ... He thinks he'll be dere forever

Na wa o

Uncle Jona! Making boys proud!