News Zanzibar’s First VP Concludes UK Visit, Heads to US on International Tour

Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, left the United Kingdom on Wednesday for the United States as part of his international tour aimed at helping the world understand the political situation in Zanzibar and Tanzania ahead of the East African nation’s elections later this year.

During his tour of North America, Othman—who also serves as the national chairperson of the opposition ACT Wazalendo and the party’s candidate in Zanzibar’s October presidential election—is expected to visit Canada and hold talks with fellow leaders, as well as representatives of leading Canadian think tanks.

While in the UK, Othman met with Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, at Marlborough House. There, he outlined his vision for Zanzibar’s future—one built on five key pillars: unwavering democratic values; good governance and uncompromising accountability; economic progress under the ‘Singapore of Africa’ vision; enhanced autonomy for Zanzibar within a just, equitable, and respectful Union; and national unity with enduring peace.