Zanzibaris on Friday gathered at the New Amani Complex, formerly known as Amani Stadium, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Indian Ocean’s islands revolution.
The revolution occurred on Jan. 12, 1964, and led to the overthrow of the Sultan of Zanzibar and his mainly Arab government by the island’s local African revolutionaries.
Tanzania’s Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi attended the event in the stadium, and he was joined by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Philip Mpango, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and other senior government leaders.
Also in attendance were Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Burundian Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca.
The ceremony was also attended by heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations, cabinet ministers of the Zanzibar government and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The ceremony was graced by parades performed by the armed forces, special performances, and military displays, and people born on Jan. 12 threw balloons and released pigeons in the stadium accompanied by a special song on the 60th anniversary of the Zanzibar revolution.
The climax of the celebrations followed almost a month of activities that included the opening and laying of foundation stones for various social and economic projects by the leaders
