Struggle for independence in Zanzibar

Three associations were formed in Zanzibar.

1. Arab Association This was formed by Arabs in the 1920s in order to protect Arab privileges in Zanzibar.
2. African Association This was formed in 1934 in Zanzibar by Africans who were mostly former slaves. They formed this association in order to fight for Africans' welfare. It had close relations with the African Association (later Tanganyika African Association) of Tanganyika.
3. Shirazi Association This was formed in 1939 by indigenous Africans who called themselves Shirazi. They formed it so that they could fight for their rights and welfare.

Towards the beginning of the independence struggle in Zanzibar, three parties were formed on the basis of race or because of conflicts within political associations. The parties were:

1. Zanzibar Nationalist Party (ZNP) This party was formed in 1953. It was dominated by Arabs. Arabs wanted to protect their economic, political and social power. They wanted to rule Zanzibar and to make Zanzibar an Arab territory. The British favoured this party.
2. Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) The African Association and Shirazi Association united to form the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) in 1957. ASP elected Abeid Aman Karume its president and Thabit Kombo its secretary general. In terms of objectives, ASP sought to end colonialism, Arab domination and the Sultanate. The British were not comfortable with this party. In the same year, that is, in 1957, an election was held in Zanzibar. The parties contested 6 seats. ASP won five seats and ZNP won only one seat.
3. Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party (ZPPP) The formation of this party was the result of some misunderstanding within the ASP leadership and the 1957 election. Following the victory of ASP in the 1957 election, ZNP, in cooperation with the British, convinced the Shiraz of ASP to leave ASP and form their own party. Some of them agreed and formed a new party known as Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party (ZPPP). Two of the members who left ASP were those who had won same of the seats in the election. Therefore, they left with their seats, leaving ASP with three, instead of five seats.

Because of being denied their right in the election, ASP adopted violent techniques in order to restore African majority rule to Zanzibar. On 12th January 1964, ASP successfully overthrew the Sultan and his Arab-based government. The Sultan and the government of Mohamed Shamte and his ZNP and ZPPP puppets were overthrown and removed from power. The government by the Africans for the Africans replaced the previous government. Sheikh Abed Amani Karume was installed as the first President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Three months after the revolution, Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania. The union of the two countries was established on 26th April 1964.