Seif Sharif Hamad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad
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| First Vice President of Zanzibar | |
| In office 7 December 2020 – 17 February 2021 |
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| President | Hussein Mwinyi |
| Preceded by | Himself (2016) |
| Succeeded by | Othman Masoud Sharif |
| In office 9 November 2010 – March 2016 |
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| President | Ali Mohamed Shein |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Himself (2020) |
| 2nd Chief Minister of Zanzibar | |
| In office 6 February 1984 – 22 January 1988 |
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| President | Ali Hassan Mwinyi Idris Abdul Wakil |
| Preceded by | Ramadani Baki |
| Succeeded by | Omar Ali Juma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 October 1943 Pemba, Sultanate of Zanzibar |
| Died | 17 February 2021 (aged 77) Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Nationality | Tanzanian |
| Political party | Alliance for Change and Transparency |
| Other political affiliations |
CCM (1977–1988) CUF (1995–2019) |
| Alma mater | UDSM (BA (Hons) |
Seif Sharif Hamad (born October 22, 1943 – died February 17, 2021) was an important politician from Tanzania. He served as the First Vice President of Zanzibar and led a political party called ACT Wazalendo.
Before joining ACT Wazalendo, he was the secretary-general of another opposition party, the Civic United Front (CUF). He was also the First Vice President of Zanzibar while with CUF until March 18, 2019. After leaving CUF, he joined ACT Wazalendo and became their top choice for the 2020 presidential election in Zanzibar.
Contents
His Early Life and Education
Seif Sharif Hamad went to primary school in Pemba from 1950 to 1957. He then started secondary school in Zanzibar Town in 1958 and finished high school in 1963.
After high school, he worked as a teacher for nine years. This was because the new government in Zanzibar needed people to fill jobs after many British officials left in 1964. Later, from 1972 to 1975, he went to the University of Dar es Salaam. He earned a degree in Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations.
Becoming a Political Leader
Hamad began his political career by serving in several important roles. From 1977 to 1980, he was a member of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council and the Minister of Education for Zanzibar. He also helped create the Zanzibar House of Representatives in 1980.
He was a member of Tanzania's ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), from 1977 to 1987. During this time, he led the Economic and Planning Department of the CCM. From 1984 to 1988, he served as the Chief Minister of Zanzibar.
After some disagreements with party officials, he was removed from his position and expelled from the CCM party in 1988. For a period between 1989 and 1991, he faced difficulties and was held in prison.
The Rise of Multiparty Politics
When Tanzania started allowing more than one political party in 1992, Hamad and other former CCM members helped create the Civic United Front (CUF) party.
In 1995, the first multiparty elections were held. Hamad ran for the Presidency of Zanzibar as the CUF candidate. He lost by a very small number of votes to the CCM candidate, Salmin Amour. Many people felt there were problems with the election results.
Hamad ran for president again in the 2000 elections but was defeated by Amani Abeid Karume. Observers noted many issues during this election, including reports of people being scared away from supporting the opposition.
After the 2000 election, there were protests and difficult times. This led to the ruling CCM party and the opposition CUF agreeing to a peace plan. This plan aimed to make elections fairer and improve the constitution. However, many of these changes were not fully put into action by the government.
More Elections and Changes
In the 2005 election, Hamad was again defeated by Amani Abeid Karume. The CUF party did not accept these results.
In the 2010 elections, Hamad ran for president of Zanzibar against Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein of the CCM party. Dr. Shein was declared the winner by a small margin.
In October 2015, Hamad won the election by 25,000 votes. However, the election commission cancelled the results. When Dr. Shein was sworn in as president, Hamad became the first ever Vice President of Zanzibar. In March 2016, Hamad chose not to take part in the re-run of the election.
On March 18, 2019, Hamad left the CUF party and joined another political party called ACT Wazalendo. On December 8, 2020, Maalim Seif was sworn in as the First Vice President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for a five-year term.
His Passing
On January 31, 2021, it was announced that Seif Sharif Hamad had become sick with COVID-19 and was in the hospital in Zanzibar. He passed away at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam on February 17, 2021, at the age of 77. After his death, the President of Tanzania, John Magufuli, announced three days of national mourning.
