Zanj Radio Television

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

Zanj Radio Televisio is the public broadcaster of the Republic of Zanj aiming to provide high-quality programming representative of all the people in our diverse and beautiful country together with independent news coverage of important events both at home and abroad.​

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

Siti Batenga elected as President

Siti Batenga of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has won the Presidential elections the Independent Electoral Affairs Commission (IAEC) confirmed today defeating her rivals Juma Chaurembo from the opposition party Movement for Popular Change (MPC) and Sheikh Ali Diria from the Islamic Unity Front (IUF), making national history by becoming the first female President since the Republic of Zanj's founding. Polling ended 10p.m. last night local time and all the votes were counted by the early hours of the morning with no irregularities or complaints reported.

Official results show a clear victory for Mrs Batenga, who gained 41.3% of the vote compared Mr. Chaurembo who obtained 34.6% and Sheikh Diria who achieved 19.1%, while independent candidates and ones from smaller parties received the rest. The percentages roughly correspond to the opinion polls before election day.

Many analysts predicted Siti Batenga's win. Buoyed by high popularity ratings of the incumbent National Democratic Party, many felt she had a headstart. Commentators also praised her after the live televised debates, saying her perfomance was strong and her rivals' was weak. A career politician, she briefly served as Minister for Women, Children and Families before becoming Minister for the Interior and the majority of voters believed she has the necessary experience to be President. Pundits speculated that hailing from the Choba-speaking Zioba ethnic group, a Protestant Christian family and being a woman, Mrs Batenga's minority status had a novelty factor that also boosted her support.

The focus of the campaign was undoubtedly the economy. Siti Batenga and the National Democratic Party were promoting more deregulation, reduced taxes and further privatisation and said these policies had brought more foreign investment into Zanj and encouraged higher growth rates. Meanwhile Juma Chaurembo and the Movement for Popular Change attacked the plans, claiming they would widen the already growing gap between rich and poor and promised to renationalise certain industries and prevent anymore privatisation. Sheikh Ali Diri and his Islamic Unity Front said the economy should be built around the principles of Islam and tried to position himself and his party as a 'third way'.

Government spending, political reform and the environment were other big issues. Both Juma Chaurembo and Ali Diria said record profits from diamond and coal mining should be spent on schools, hospitals and help for the poor, whereas Siti Batenga argued it should be spent on diversifying and restructuring the economy. Mrs Batenga also promised more power for local government, a move opposed by Mr Chaurembo. All three agreed on stronger regulation on the environment following several damaging industrial accidents.

President Batenga's first year will be a crucial one. She will have to nominate a Chief Justice and Associate Justices for the Supreme Court, who will have to be accepted by Congress. Elections for the Senate and Chamber of Deputies also occur later this year and she will want to strengthen the National Democrats' hold on both houses. 2010 has also been a tumultuous year in international politics and some feel Zanj should take a more active approach on the world stage, especially in affairs concerning Himyar.

Siti Batenga's inauguration takes place next monday, before which she will have to choose a Vice-President. The ceremony will take place in the Sqaure of the Republic, Mikindani and will be attended by her husband, children, the entire of Congress together with thousands of NDP activists and loyal followers. ZRT will also broadcast the event on television, radio and over the internet.

Related News

• Stockmarket jumps at news of Siti Batenga's victory and local business leaders 'happy' with the result
• Mikindani Metropolitan Police to call on reserves to help with security on Inauguration Day
• MPC Candidate Juma Chaurembo will not resign from the party
• Sheikh Ali Diria denies rumours of tension within the Islamic Unity Front
  

 

[Chryse]

Statement from Chieti.

We congratulate President-Elect Batenga for obtaining such a historical victory withinin the new Republic of Zanj. We wish her luck going forward, as we have confidence her governance will bring about a positive effect for those in Zanj in the future.

 

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office

We congratulate President-elect Batenga for the victory in the election. We hope her administration shall work with us and may our two nations become friends.

 

[Zanj]

Department for International Relations and Affairs

President-Elect Siti Batenga thanks all nations for their warm congratulations on her victory and promises to renew ties with all European states and begin a new era in Zanji foreign policy.

 

[Barazi]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We hope that the newly elected President's word resonate the truth across Europe. Congradulations on the behalf of the Scottish government and people.

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

President Siti Batenga inaugurated

In a ceremony watched by millions and attended by several thousand, Siti Batenga was inaugurated today as the first female President of the Republic of Zanj in the Square of the Republic, where her family, friends and hundreds of National Democratic Party politicians and activists watched. The inauguration was broadcasted on radio and television across the country while in the capital Mikindani special giant screens were installed temporarily in parks for passers-by to watch. Following another celebration rally with the National Democratic Party, President Batenga will be hosting a private ceremony tonight at the Presidential Palace.

The Mikindani Metropolitan Police have said there were no serious security concerns and praised the conduct and work of its officers today. The police department had to call on reserves to help manage the vast numbers and still carry out routine work. Police officials have been criticised by the opposition Movement for Popular Change for redirecting their protests claiming it was to prevent media coverage, but the Police have justified the decision saying it was to reduce the risk of clashes between rival party supporters.

Mohammed Deiji was also inaugurated today as the Vice-President of the Republic of Zanj and joined by his family and friends after being chosen on Sunday. This followed rumours and speculation on Friday and Saturday that he was chosen after having a lengthy behind-closed-doors meeting with Mrs Batenga shortly after her election victory. A long-serving Senator who has worked to improve community relations, he was viewed as a good choice by pundits.

Following the ceremony, which included a traditional dance from President Batenga's Zioba tribe and the anthemn played by the Zanji Defence Force's band, the President delivered an inauguration speech beginning by thanking her supporters for their help and international leaders for their congratulations. She pledged to fulfill campaign promises of reduced taxes, more jobs, increased foreign investment and continued economic growth and attacked those who opposed her, saying they were also opposed to 'Zanj's development'. She also spoke of a planned national then regional tour, with the aim of consolidating domestic support while strengthening ties with neighbours.

Siti Batenga's first day as President begins tomorrow, where she is to announce her cabinet, largely expected to be the same, and nominate her candidates for the Supreme Court.

Related News

• Movement for Popular Change claim 'several hundred thousand' attended their demonstration in the capital
• New Permanent Representative to the Council of Nations to be chosen
• ZAMINCO denies knowledge of murder of two environmental activists
  

 

[Confederal Republics]

Office of the President of the Republic of Anbat

On behalf of the Republic of Anbat and the Anbati people it is my sincere honor to express my congratulations to Her Excellency President Batenga on her election victory, and to express the desire of the Anbati people for continued fostering of bilateral relations between our two nations.

Accordingly, I wish to welcome President Batenga to Phezzan as a guest of the Republican government for a visit of friendship.

Regards,
His Excellency Mr. Dawud Zureiq,
President of the Republic of Anbat

 

[Zanj]

Office of the President

President Siti Batenga thanks President Dawud Zureiq for his sincere congratulations and invitation and can confirm it is her intention to hold a meeting to strengthen bilateral ties between Zanj and Anbat.

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

News in Brief

• Both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies accept President Batenga's Cabinet nominations
• Supreme Court choices still being debated by Senate as concerns persist about experience of some candidates
• President Batenga visits Directly Administered Tribal Areas in first stop on national tour, speaks to tribal elders and local officials
• National Investigation Agency confirms rumours it interviewed ZAMINCO employees over murder of two environmental activists
  

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

ZAMINCO employees accused of murder

The National Investigation Agency has brought formal charges against two employees of ZAMINCO, the state-owned mining giant, for the murder of two environmental activists after a protest against a planned new diamond mine in the state of Magadai. Abdulrazak Manka and Shabaan Nyambui both worked for the company's security division and were responsible for protecting the site during the demonstration.

Families of the victims, Juma Moongo and Mohammed Shabanga, have welcomed the news and in a joint press statement praised their relatives' activism and demanded harsh punishments if Abdulrazak Manka and Shabaan Nyambui were convicted. Under Zanji law, the strongest sentence for murder is life imprisonment.

Agents involved with the case described the killings as being 'execution-style', with the two security guards tieing up the activists and shooting them in the back of the head at point-blank range. The bodies were then left in shallow graves. Juma Moongo and Mohammed Shabanga were reportedly targeted because they are believed to have thrown shoes and stones at Abdulrazak Manka and Shabaan Nyambui.

A spokesperson for the National Investigation Agency was keen to stress the case was closed and other employees in ZAMINCO did not support or know of the murders. NIA Director Yono Kawambwa has praised the company for its co-operation, together with the Magadai Police Department for their assistance. ZAMINO CEO Diodorus Chiza also released a statement mourning the deaths of Juma Moongo and Mohammed Shabanga and promised the new mine in Magadai would feature a memorial.

The trial will take place at Magadai State Court in Mjikasorobahari and begin on Monday.

Related News

• President Batenga in Magadai and reaffirms committment to greater environmental protection
• Calls for new efforts to reform ZAMINCO grow as Movement for Popular Change calls for the security division's disbandment
• International Workers' Day celebrated with rallies by National Federation of Trade Unions
  

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

News in Brief

• President Siti Batenga defends ZAMINCO, describes company as 'national champion'
• Arab People's Congress not invited to regionalist parties' coalition talks
• Murder victims' families criticise ZAMINCO CEO's idea of a memorial in planned new coal mine
• New rumours of tensions in Islamic Unity Front surface
  

 

[Zanj]

Zanj Radio Television​

President Batenga to reduce government's role in economy

President Siti Batenga has returned to a campaign pledge to reduce government interference in the economy with the proposed ‘Central Bank Independence Act’ (CBIA) and repeal of ‘Foreign Investment Regulation Act’ (FIRA). Several economists have endorsed the measures and the President’s National Democratic Party has come out in strong support. Like the widely debated budget announced by Finance Minister Mwajumaa Shayo last week, these plans have faced harsh criticism from the opposition party Movement for Popular Change.

The Central Bank Independence Act would relinquish important government powers over the Central Bank of Zanj, including the ability to appoint the Central Bank’s governor and to set interest rates. Instead the governor would be elected by the bank’s Board and interest rates would be decided by a newly created Monetary Policy Council, which would also include outside economic experts.

The Movement for Popular Change’s financial spokesperson, Mathias Kurwijila told Zanj Radio Television he believed the move ‘disempowered’ voters and vowed to reverse the decision if elected.

However, the anticipated repeal of the ‘Foreign Investment Regulation Act’ was attacked more. The act currently allows the Business and Industry Minister to block foreign takeovers of Zanji companies and compels the Chamber of Deputies to examine foreign accquisitions of voting shares. President Batenga claimed this 'scared' many investors and its removal would make Zanj an 'attractive destination' for business abroad. The Movement for Popular Change is accusing the President of allowing 'exploitation' and 'eroding national sovereignity'.

The National Democratic Party has a majority in both houses of the legislature and with no internal dissidence or opposition, it seems likely that the Central Bank Independence Act will pass and the Foreign Investment Regulation Act will be repealed. Opinion polls show the public to be cautious about the plans, yet the results may prove them wrong.


Related News

• Vice-President Mohammed Deiji addresses Zanji Chamber of Commerce
• The National Wealth Fund is under investigation for alleged investment in armaments companies
• Ngware (₦) strengthens against other currencies