TheCable

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.”