Maridhiano 2026: A New Chapter for Zanzibar Without Maalim Seif

Introduction

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER | As of today, media reports confirm the signing ceremony and the broad objectives, but not every clause of the agreement. The official text of the Joint Political Accord has yet to be published.

For the first time in Zanzibar’s modern political history, a major reconciliation agreement between the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition ACT-Wazalendo has been reached without the presence of the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.

For more than three decades, Maalim Seif was the face of Zanzibar’s struggle for political dialogue, electoral reform and national reconciliation. His absence makes this agreement historically significant regardless of its eventual outcome.

Why this agreement matters

The accord follows months of negotiations after the contentious 2025 General Election.

It aims to:

• reduce political tensions;
• strengthen trust between political parties;
• promote peaceful coexistence;
• improve cooperation on governance;
• lay the foundation for long-term political stability.

President Hussein Ali Mwinyi described the process as an effort to strengthen unity and peace, while ACT-Wazalendo has said the dialogue seeks to protect the democratic rights of Zanzibaris.

The architects of the dialogue

Unlike previous agreements brokered by international actors, this process was largely home-grown.

Key figures include:

Government / CCM

• President Hussein Ali Mwinyi
• Former President Amani Abeid Karume
• Former President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein
• CCM leadership under President Samia Suluhu Hassan

ACT-Wazalendo

• Othman Masoud Othman
• Juma Duni Haji
• Ismail Jussa

Former Presidents Karume and Shein played a central mediating role.

What we know—and what we don’t

At the time of writing, the full text of the Joint Political Accord has not yet been publicly released.

Reliable reporting confirms that discussions included proposals such as:

• a review of Zanzibar’s constitutional framework;
• an independent inquiry into the 2025 election;
• future governance arrangements.

However, these were reported discussion points, not yet confirmed as final commitments in the signed agreement.

Government perspective

CCM has consistently framed the accord as a path toward:

• lasting peace;
• national unity;
• political stability;
• inclusive governance.

Officials say the goal is to move beyond confrontation and institutionalize dialogue between political actors.

ACT-Wazalendo’s priorities

Throughout the negotiations, ACT-Wazalendo has emphasized:

• electoral reforms;
• stronger democratic institutions;
• political freedoms;
• accountability;
• rebuilding public trust in governance.

The party has urged supporters to judge the process by its implementation rather than by the signing ceremony alone.

Lessons from history

Zanzibar has experienced several major reconciliation efforts:

Year	Agreement	Outcome
1999	Maridhiano	Reduced tensions but implementation was uneven.
2001	Muafaka II	Introduced electoral and institutional reforms but many disputes persisted.
2010	Government of National Unity	Followed a referendum and brought opposition into government, though political divisions later resurfaced.
2026	CCM–ACT Joint Political Accord	Success will depend on implementation.

Expert assessment

Analysts broadly agree on three points:

1. Signing an agreement is easier than implementing it.
2. Public trust will depend on tangible reforms rather than political symbolism.
3. The accord offers an opportunity to break Zanzibar’s cycle of post-election political crises if both parties honour their commitments.

Questions that remain

The coming weeks will determine whether:

• the agreement includes binding implementation timelines;
• electoral reforms will be enacted;
• oversight mechanisms will be established;
• political detainees or outstanding grievances will be addressed;
• the accord enjoys broad public support beyond party leadership.

Conclusion

The 2026 Maridhiano represents more than a political agreement—it is a test of whether Zanzibar can move from recurring reconciliation efforts to durable democratic stability. Without Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the responsibility now rests with a new generation of leaders to demonstrate that dialogue can produce lasting institutional change, not just another symbolic milestone.

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