The Commonwealth has appointed immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan to lead the charge for the resolution of the political stalemate in the semi-independent island of Zanzibar.
This feat comes barely a month after Jonathan led the Commonwealth Observer Group during Tanzania general elections that took place on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
The COG led by Jonathan was highly commended as credible hence the fresh endorsement by the 53-nation body of former British colonies.
However, tension erupted on the island of Zanzibar, after the presidential election results that produced John Magufuli as the winner was nullified by the local electoral body, over claims of irregularities.
Ever since the conflict, international observers have continued to dispute the nullification stressing that both the voting and counting processes were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
In their bid to resolve the the crisis, the Commonwealth which has a history of mediating on the island appointed Jonathan as its Special representative, in what analysts see as an affirmation of the former President’s towering status as the moral face of democracy and transparent polling in Africa. .
Jonathan’s new appointment was disclosed to him in a letter sent to him by the Commonwealth Secretary General, MrKamalesh Sharma.
Sharma wrote: “As you are aware, the Zanzibar electoral situation remains unsolved, although recent reports indicating willingness by the main political parties to engage in talking is encouraging. In view of the Commonwealth’s historical role as the moral generator of the Muafaka Accords, it is important that we remain engaged to continue to encourage all concerned to resolve the situation in a peaceful and sustainable manner.
“I am therefore delighted and honoured that you have kindly agreed to be my Special Representative over the coming weeks, in order to remain in contact with key political leaders and to encourage them towards an expeditious resolution of the impasse. I am certain that your personal close interest can play a crucial role in building the necessary political bridges.”
Commednng Jonathan for what he described as a distinguished service to Commonwealth, Sharma wrote: “I am writing to thank you once again for rendering the Commonwealth such distinguished service through your generous personal commitment of time and your Leadership of the Commonwealth Observer Group to last week’s elections in the United Republic of Tanzania.”
President Jonathan has been dubbed the Hero Of Democracy as a result of his peaceful and transparent lifestyle.
He conceded defeat at the April 2015 polls and had in the spirit of oneness, made a historic call to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him long before the results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC)
