Tanzania Profile.pdf - WorldMap

was set up to investigate the deaths on the island of Pemba. In addition, a CUF party memberwas appointed to parliament by the president of Tanzania.In April 2002, changes were made to the Zanzibar constitution that allowed both parties tonominate members of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission.The first test of the reconciliation agreement came in May 2003 when the commission held byelectionsto fill empty seats in parliament, including those left vacant after the CUF boycott.Those who observed said the by-elections appeared to be free, fair, and peaceful.The next national elections were supposed to occur in October 2005. However, a vicepresidentialcandidate for the opposition died, and elections were postponed until December ofthat year.On the islands of Zanzibar, elections took place as originally scheduled. Karume was reelected aspresident of Zanzibar. Despite improvements since the previous elections, international observersagain pointed out irregularities, including voter intimidation and outright violence.When elections were finally held on the mainland of Tanzania in December 2005, there were fewproblems. Jakaya Kikwete won the presidency by more than 80 percent of the vote. The majorityCCM party also gained more seats in parliament.Two years later, a corruption scandal led to the resignation of the Prime Minister and two othergovernment officials. In February 2008, Tanzanian president Kikwete dissolved his cabinet andcreated a new one. Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda was chosen as the new Prime Minister.The next national elections for the executive and legislative branches of both Tanzania andZanzibar are scheduled for 2010.Meanwhile, events outside the realm of politics gained international attention. Superstition, plusthe desire for wealth, has resulted in more than 40 murders of people with albinism, though somebelieve there has been nearly twice that many killings. The rash of murders from September2007 to March 2009 was blamed on witchdoctors in the country who allegedly told people thatalbino body parts can bring good luck and wealth.Superstitions have long been associated with albinism. Some think albinism is contagious, soemployers often avoid hiring someone with the condition. Some believe they are evil or a cursefrom God. Because of these and other superstitions, albino people have often felt like outcasts.In reality, albinism is a rare genetic condition that results in a lack of pigmentation in the skin,hair, and eyes. People with this condition are more vulnerable to skin cancer. Visual impairmentis also associated with albinism as most are legally blind. Albinism is found all around the worldin different races and genders, but it seems to be more common in Tanzania. In North Americaand Europe, albinism occurs in about 1 in 20,000 people. However, in Tanzania, it appears inabout 1 in 4000 people.