AMBASSADOR'S SPICE ISLAND TOUR COVERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 001294 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT AF/E FOR BOGOJIKUTU; AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK; MCC FOR MKAVANAGH; ADDIS ABABA FOR AU MISSION; LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KHIV TZ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S SPICE ISLAND TOUR COVERS RECONCILIATION, MCC AND MUSLIM OUTREACH REF: DAR ES SALAAM 1159 DAR ES SAL 00001294 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Mark Green for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador was warmly received throughout his introductory "listening tour" of Zanzibar September 16-18. Reconciliation between ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and opposition Civic United Front (CUF) was the leading topic, with Zanzibar's President Karume calling reconciliation his highest priority. CUF leaders, however, expressed little confidence in CCM's commitment to a resolution, and warned of potential violence if talks remain fruitless. All contacts lauded the approval of the MCC compact and USG efforts on health and education, namely through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and PEPFAR. Ambassador and his family reached out to orphans and villagers during a festive, private Iftar on the outskirts of Stone Town. END SUMMARY. Reconciliation: Karume's "highest priority" -------------- ¶2. (C) The Zanzibari political reconciliation process was a leading issue at every stop on the Ambassador's first trip to Zanzibar. During their wide-ranging, 40 minute introductory call, Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume unconvincingly asserted that reconciliation "is my highest priority." Karume then lauded what he deemed "significant" achievements of the past eight years to bring the ruling CCM and opposition CUF to the same negotiating table, expressed hope for the talks currently underway, then changed the subject. Chief Minister Shamsi Nahodha called the eight-year standoff a "political misunderstanding" and a result of impoverished Zanzibaris seeking any alternative (even CUF) to alleviate their economic hardship. ¶3. (C) CUF negotiators Ismail Jussa, Leader of Opposition in the Zanzibari House of Representatives Abubakar Khamis Bakary, and CUF Deputy Secretary General Juma Duni Haji stressed that by refusing to set an end date for the recently restarted talks (reftel),CCM is "not negotiating in good faith." Duni Haji asserted "CCM and Karume are feting you with sweet words only." CUF representatives and other opposition contacts warned of potential violence if CUF supporters do not see progress soon. Jussa reiterated his suggestion that the lack of a viable alternative to CCM continues to fuel fledgling radical Islamist groups proposing an Islamic state. MCC: Ambassador Shares the Good News -------------- ¶4. (C) Karume and Chief Minister Nahodha responded enthusiastically to news that the MCC board approved Tanzania's USD 698 million compact, agreeing that the MCC will take Zanzibar "a long way" toward sorely-needed infrastructural development. Karume admitted that his government "is struggling" to improve its financial management and to properly monitor investments and government disbursements. For their part, CUF leaders pleaded with Ambassador to delay MCC disbursement until a political reconciliation and power-sharing agreement is reached. Ambassador explained the grant will move forward but emphasized Tanzania will be subject to a yearly review process. Universal Praise for Health and Education Efforts -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) President Karume, Chief Minister Nahodha, the Grand Mufti of Zanzibar, opposition CUF representatives, and Muslim NGOs collectively commended USG efforts on health and education, singling out PMI and PEPFAR for special praise. Karume said "I don't know where Zanzibar would be without President Bush's PMI." Karume mentioned he has not suffered from malaria in two years, and numerous contacts mentioned their homes received residual indoor spraying in the past two weeks. Most mentioned the recent visit of Health Secretary Leavitt and the important inauguration of the USG-funded Zonal Blood Transfusion Center. DAR ES SAL 00001294 002.2 OF 002 Ambassador Shares Iftar with Orphans -------------- ¶6. (C) The Grand Mufti of Zanzibar and a vocal Muslim NGO lauded Ambassador for calling on them during his first visit to Zanzibar. They offered their counsel as the Mission increases its engagement on the island. On September 17, Ambassador broke the Ramadan fast at an orphanage in a village on the outskirts of Stone Town. The villagers, who initially met the offer of donated supplies for an Iftar with skepticism, expressed delight and appreciation that a U.S. Ambassador not only visited their village, but that he and his family sat on the ground and ate the meal together from communal bowls. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: While CUF leaders continue to sound the warning bell of violence and Islamic fundamentalism, it may be just as true that the old-guard CUF leadership is losing political relevance the longer they are unable to produce results at the negotiating table. Karume remains an affable interlocutor, but a new commitment to political reconciliation and transparency remains to be proven. Gratitude for continued heavy USG investment in infrastructure and health leave Zanzibaris from both sides of the political divide favorably disposed to continued cooperation with the USG. GREEN