The President of Zanzibar, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has appointed Mr. Othman Masoud Othman as the new First Vice President of the semi-autonomous archipelago.
Mr. Othman is replacing Maalim Seif Sharrif Hamad, who died on February 17.
Article 40 (1) of the Zanzibar Constitution 1984, as revised in 2010, requires that a successor be selected within 14 days after the First or Second Vice President dies.
A statement from State House in the Isles said that the appointment of Mr. Othman who is a member of the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, was in accordance with Article 9 (3) of the Zanzibar Constitution which requires the President to maintain the spirit of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“And following powers vested on him through Article 39(4) of the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984 and after consultations with ACT-Wazalendo, the President of Zanzibar and chairman of the Revolutionary Council Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has appointed Mr Othman Masoud Othman Sharif to be the First Vice President,” part of the statement read.
