CUF wary of security presence in Pemba

The Civic United Front (CUF) yesterday accused the government of sending heavily armed security forces to Pemba Island, the party’s stronghold in the Isles, prompting residents to go into hiding or flee to Mombasa, Kenya.

 

Briefing reporters here yesterday, CUF’s Director of Mass Communication and Publicity, Hamad Masoud Hamad, alleged that the move signified government intent to start arresting people en masse in the island ahead of the general election rerun scheduled for Sunday.

 

However, these claims were refuted by local officials who maintained that the security beef-up was normal during electioneering.

 

The March 20 election rerun follows the nullification of the original election by Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairman Jecha Salim Jecha back on October 25.

 

According to Hamad, soldiers have been raiding homes in Pemba and beating up people believed to be opposition (mainly CUF) supporters.

 

 

This has forced many residents to seek places to hide places in nearby forests or take refuge in Mombasa, he said. “Pemba is under military threat,” Hamad said. “We are very saddened and we condemn such inhuman actions against our people.”

 

“CUF believes that the incidents of torture are a deliberate ploy by security forces to scare people,” Hamad stated, warning security forces against working for political interests but staying true to their main duty of  maintaining peace and harmony in the island.

 

According to Hamad, about 30 CUF supporters and another 72 citizens have been arrested without any reason and denied bail.

 

When reached for comment, North Pemba Assistant Regional Police Commander, Hassan Nassir concurred it is true that security has been tightened in Pemba Island but refuted claims by CUF, saying that they are baseless.

 

“No one has gone into hiding or taken refuge in another country. Those might be some few criminals who are scared to be arrested due to their acts,” he said.

 

According to the police, the government saw the need to deploy more armed security personnel in Pemba due to occurrence of incidents such as torching of people’s houses, CCM and CUF branches.

 

However, the Minister for State (Second Vice-President’s Office), Mohammed Aboud said the government has no information regarding Pemba residents seeking asylum in Mombasa or running into the bush.