Spice islands in turmoil as troops fire at election protesters

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By Jonathan Clayton

ZANZIBAR, the Indian Ocean island paradise favoured by thousands of tourists each year, was racked by violence yesterday after heavily armed security forces fired teargas and rubber bullets at scores of demonstrators who claimed that elections had been rigged. <snip>

The violence on the semi- autonomous archipelago off Tanzania came after the ruling Party of the Revolution, which has ruled the spice islands for 41 years, claimed outright victory in Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary polls. Opposition supporters claimed that the election had been marred by widespread intimidation and vote-rigging.

Unconfirmed reports said that at least five people and as many as four members of the security forces had been killed in violence on the neighbouring island of Pemba, an opposition stronghold better known for its clear, azure waters. On Zanzibar’s main Unguja island dozens of demonstrators were beaten by riot police and dragged into security vehicles.

The scenes were an embarrassment for the British Government. Benjamin Mkapa, President of Tanzania, sits on Tony Blair’s 17-member Commission for Africa because of his reputation as an economic reformer with impeccable democratic credentials. Britain gives Tanzania £100 million in aid annually, more than it gives to any other African country. <snip>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1853975,00.html