ELECTORAL GOVERNANCE IN ZANZIBAR: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF POWERSHARING DYNAMICS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Zanzibar, since the reinstatement of its multiparty system in 1992, has grappled with a recurrent wave of election-related turmoil, characterized by a disconcerting frequency of killings, injuries, and societal unrest. This abstract endeavors to provide an in-depth exploration of the intricate dynamics underlying the tumultuous electoral landscape in Zanzibar, shedding light on the pervasive mistrust, accusations, and challenges that have marred each election cycle. Citing John (2020) and the insights of Minde et al. (2018), the narrative unfolds against a backdrop of unadjusted electoral practices within the multiparty system, attributing the recurring tragedy to systemic shortcomings. The competing political entities in Zanzibar's elections, comprising both incumbent and opposition parties, find themselves ensnared in a cycle of mutual accusations, further exacerbated by a pervasive questioning of the electoral process itself. This perpetuated mistrust becomes the breeding ground for calls to secure a free and fair electoral process, invoking both soft and hard power. The abstract accentuates the consequential impact of this mistrust on Zanzibar's political landscape, which becomes overwhelmingly dominated by electoral violence. The oscillation between demands for electoral transparency and the visceral contestation of election outcomes paints a vivid picture of the underlying tensions. By elucidating the multifaceted interplay of mistrust, accusations, and demands for electoral integrity, this research aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex challenges faced by Zanzibar in fostering a stable and democratic political environment.
As Zanzibar continues to grapple with the persistent specter of electoral violence, the abstract lays the groundwork for future investigations into potential mechanisms for conflict resolution, institution-building, and the cultivation of an electoral culture grounded in trust and transparency.
Keywords:
Zanzibar, Electoral Violence, Multiparty System, Mistrust Election IntegrityDownloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10682628Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Fatima Saidi Mwinyi, Joseph Elias Kimaro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Ali B (2013). Assessment of the role of political parties on shaping the government of national unity in Zanzibar. http://repository.udom.ac.tz Bakari MA (2005). Constitutional Development of Zanzibar, 1890 - 2005: An Overview. The African Review 33(1 & 2):1-26.
Bakari M, Makulilo AB (2022). Transformational Leadership and Conflict Management in Zanzibar. PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development 3(1):135-162.
Bakari M, Makulilo A (2012). Beyond polarity in Zanzibar? The ―silent‖ referendum and the government of national unity. Journal of Contemporary African Studies 30(2):195-218.
Bochsler D, Juon A (2021). Power-sharing and the quality of democracy. European Political Science Review 13(4):411-430.
Brown A (2010). Political tensions in Zanzibar: Echoes from the revolution? Canadian Journal of Development Studies 30(3-4):615633.
Calfat NN (2018). The Frailties of Lebanese Democracy: Outcomes and Limits of the Confessional Framework. Contexto Internacional 40(2):269-293.
Carboni A (2020). Essays on Political Elites and Violence in Changing Political Orders of Middle East and Africa. University of Sussex.
Collier P, Vicente PC (2012). Violence, bribery, and fraud: the political economy of elections in Sub-Saharan Africa. Public Choice 153:117147.
Council of the EU (2020). Tanzania – Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the elections in Tanzania (Vol. 32).
Dunaiski MR (2015). Institutions and Electoral Violence. Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) Sciences Po Paris.
Fjelde H, Ho K (2022). Introducing the deadly electoral conflict dataset (DECO). Journal of Conflict Resolution 66(1):162-85. Haji M (2023). Power-sharing and Identity-Politics Transformation in Zanzibar, Tanzania. African Journal of Political Science 10(2):1-14.
Hartzell C, Hoddie M (2003). Institutionalizing peace: Power sharing and post-civil war conflict management. American Journal of Political Science 47(2):318-332.
Höglund K, Jarstad AK (2010). Policy & Practice Brief Knowledge for durable peace violence : Considerations for policy pp. 1-5. John P (2020). Political Culture and Power Sharing in Zanzibar : The Case Of The 2010 General Election. University of Dodoma.
Killian B (2008). The state and identity politics in Zanzibar: challenges to democratic consolidation in Tanzania. African Identities 6(2):99-125.
Kivimaki T, Thorning R (2002). Democratization and regional power sharing in Papua/Irian Jaya: Increased opportunities and decreased motivations for violence. Asian Survey 42(4):651-672. Koenings NA (2018). ―For Us It’s what Came After‖: Locating Pemba in Revolutionary Zanzibar. Social Memory, Silenced Voices, and Political Struggle: Remembering the Revolution in Zanzibar.,p. 145.
Lijphart A (1977). Majority rule versus democracy in deeply divided societies. Politikon 4(2):113-126.
Lijphart A (1969). Consociational Democracy. World Politics 21(2):207225.
Longman T (2013). Zanzibar: Religion, Politics, and Identity in East Africa.
Madalina O (2016). Conflict Management, a New Challenge. Procedia Economics and Finance 39:807-814.
Mares I, Young L (2016). Buying, Expropriating, and Stealing Votes. Annual Review of Political Science 19:267-288.
Markoff J (2015). Waves of democracy: Social movements and political change. Routledge.
Matheson A (2012). Maridhiano : Zanzibar's remarkable reconciliation and Government of National Unity. Journal of Eastern African Studies 6(4):591-612.
McMahon E (2012). War of Words, War of Stones: Racial Thought and Violence in Colonial Zanzibar.
Minde N, Roop S, Tronvoll K (2018). The rise and fall of the government of national unity in Zanzibar: A Critical Analysis of the 2015 elections.
Minde N (2021). Tunataka Nchi Yetu" (We Want Our Country) Campaign Rallies, Music and Songs as Stages for Performing Zanzibari Nationalism. https://mambo.hypotheses.org/3088. ? halshs03209354?
Mukangara D (2000). Norms and Practices in the Political Actions of Government and Opposition in Tanzania. Journal of Social Philosophy 31(4):535-542.
Nassor AS, Jose J (2014). Power-sharing in Zanzibar: from zero-sum politics to democratic consensus?. Journal of Southern African Studies 40(2):247-265.
Norris P (2019). Conclusions: The new research agenda on electoral management. International Political Science Review 40(3):391-403.
Roop S, Tronvoll K, Minde N (2018). The politics of continuity and collusion in Zanzibar: Political reconciliation and the establishment of the Government of National Unity. Journal of Modern African Studies 56(2):245-267.
Salamey I (2009). Failing consociationalism in Lebanon and integrative options. International Journal of Peace Studies 14(2):83-105. Sheriff A (2001). Race and Class in the Po Book Review : Consociationalism and Power-Sharing in Europe. Arend Lijphart's Theory of Political Accommodation. litics of Zanzibar. Africa Spectrum 36(3):301-318.
Straus S, Taylor C (2009). Democratization and electoral violence in sub-saharan africa, 1990-2007. InAPSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper.
Supreme Election Council (2023). Turke Election, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.ysk.gov.tr/en/supreme-election-council/1841#:~:text=The Supreme Election Council consists,six-year term of office.
Throup D (2016). The Political Crisis in Zanzibar. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Wall A, Ellis A, Catt H, Maley M, Wolf P (2014). Electoral Management Design. International IDEA.
Wolf S (2018). Consociationalism and Power-Sharing in Europe. Arend Lijphart's Theory of Political Accommodation.
