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Amani Abeid Karume
Amani Abeid Karume served as the President of Zanzibar from 2000 to 2010. He is the son of Zanzibar's first president, Abeid Karume, and a member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. His presidency followed a period of political and economic reforms in Zanzibar.
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AMANI ABEID KARUME
Amani Abeid Karume, born in 1948, is a prominent Zanzibari politician who shaped Zanzibar’s political landscape through a blend of governance experience and a commitment to stability. After studying at Lumumba Secondary School, Karume initially pursued a career in accounting. He joined the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in the 1970s, taking on key roles including Chief Treasurer, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Planning, and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Transport. These roles provided him a strong foundation in public administration and economic management.
In the 1980s, Karume transitioned to the private sector as a consultant for a British-based business in Zanzibar. However, he returned to public service in 1990, winning a seat in the Zanzibar House of Representatives for the Raha Leo constituency. He quickly advanced to serve as the Minister of Trade under President Salmin Amour, and later as Minister of Communication and Transportation, reflecting his broad expertise in governance.
Karume’s political career reached its peak when he ran as the CCM candidate in the 2000 Zanzibar presidential election, where he won 67.04% of the vote. The election, however, was marred by accusations of irregularities, leading to widespread protests, particularly in Pemba. In 2005, he secured re-election with 53.18% of the vote, again amidst claims of electoral issues. Despite these controversies, Karume continued to lead with an emphasis on fostering reconciliation.
In 2009, Karume initiated unprecedented peace talks with Seif Sharif Hamad of the Civic United Front (CUF), seeking to bring an end to long-standing political tensions between the two parties. This historic dialogue led to a 2010 referendum, where Zanzibaris voted for a government of national unity, signaling a hopeful chapter for Zanzibar’s political harmony. In November 2010, Karume concluded his presidency by peacefully transferring power to Ali Mohamed Shein, leaving behind a legacy marked by his efforts toward unity and stability in Zanzibar.
GOVERNING TIME LINE
Amani Abeid Karume became President of Zanzibar on October 8, 2000, succeeding Salmin Amour after winning the presidential election. He served two terms, focusing on development and maintaining stability amid political tensions with the opposition. Karume left office on November 3, 2010, at the end of his two-term limit, and was succeeded by Ali Mohamed Shein.