Don't go to Zanzibar - US

2005-09-22 15:03

Zanzibar - The United States has warned US citizens of possible election violence on Tanzania's politically volatile semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar amid rising tensions ahead of polls next month.

In a notice released this week, the US embassy in Dar es Salaam said Americans should "carefully consider" any plans to visit the Indian Ocean tourist haven due to the potential for violent demonstrations around the October 30 elections.

"Americans are advised to carefully consider plans to visit Zanzibar during late October and early November 2005," the embassy said in a warden message issued on Tuesday.

"American citizens travelling to Zanzibar during this period are reminded to maintain a high level of security vigilance at all times and avoid political rallies and related public gatherings," it said.

Tension mounting before elections

While previous elections on mainland Tanzania have been relatively calm, pre-and post-vote violence has been common on Zanzibar, an opposition stronghold where the ruling party nonetheless holds power despite complaints of fraud.

After the last elections in 2000, some 40 people on Zanzibar were killed in street protests against alleged fraud, badly damaging the isle's reputation as a paradise holiday destination.

In the run-up to this year's election, Zanzibar has been hit by sporadic political violence and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) has warned of a Ukraine-style revolution if the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM -Revolutionary Party) rigs the polls.

"Tensions have been rising on Zanzibar during the run up to the October 2005 elections," the embassy said.

"Opposition party leaders have threatened to stage massive demonstrations if their conditions for a free and fair election are not met," it said, stressing, however, that foreign tourists were unlikely to be targeted.

- AFP