Controversy has emerged over ownership of the Latham Island (or Fungu Mbarak) between Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland.
Debating the proposed bill “an Act to amend various laws of the land”, some legislators said the recent statement from Tanzania mainland authorities that Fungu Mbarak does not fall under Zanzibar territorial waters is “astonishing”.
Lawmakers: Mr Mohammed Raza (CCM- Uzini), Mr Ismail Jussa (CUF-Mjimkongwe), and Mr Assa Othman Hamad (CUF- Wete) linedup to demand answer from the Zanzibar government on “who owns the Islands?”
“Let the Zanzibar government stand firm to defend Fungu Mbarak also known as ‘Fungu Kizimkazi’. It is part of our territory,” Raza said as Jussa advised the government to seek for a clear territory of Zanzibar.
It is said that Latham Islands was governed fully by Zanzibar before independence, and that any new claims over the island should be rejected. Jussa also said that that the current land policy which permits lease of land up to 99 years, needs review because it does not benefit Zanzibaris.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
