Seif Shariff Hamad

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Seif Shariff Hamad (right) and Professor Ibrahim Lipumba (left) in a press conference after the victory of the Civic United Front in the Pemba by-elections, 19 May 2003, Chake Chake town, Pemba, Tanzania

Seif Shariff Hamad (b. 22 October 1943) is a Zanzibari politician. He is currently the secretary-general of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) party.

Hamad served as Member of the Zanzibar Revolutionery Council and Zanzibar Minister of Education (1977 - 1980), founding member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives (1980 - 1989)and Member of Tanzanian Parliament (1977), Member of the Central Committee and National Executive Committee of Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) - Tanzaniania's Ruling Party (1977 - 1987), Head of the Economic and Planning Department of the CCM (1982 - 1987)and Chief Minister of Zanzibar from 6 February 1984 to 22 January 1988. Soon after his dismissal, he was expelled from the sole legal party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), after disputes with party officials.From May 1989 - November, 1991 he was imprisoned as a prisoner of conscience.

When Tanzania adopted a multiparty political system in 1992, Hamad along with other former CCM members founded the Civic United Front party. The first multiparty elections took place in 1995 and Hamad was the CUF's candidate for the Presidency of Zanzibar. He was narrowly defeated by CCM candidate Salmin Amour, winning 49.76% of the vote to Amour's 50.24%. Observers noted serious irregularities in the poll and the CUF rejected the result as rigged.

Hamad was again defeated in the 2000 elections by CCM candidate Amani Abeid Karume. He received 32.96% of the vote to Karume's 67.04%. Observers condemned the poll citing widespread irregularities and instances of intimidation of opposition supporters by the security forces. The Commonwealth team described the election as a 'shambles'.

On 26th and 27th January, 2001, more than forty five CUF supporters were gunned down by Tanzanian Security Forces in peaceful demonstration called to protest the imposition of Zanzibar Government against the will of the people. This led to the ruling CCM party and opposition CUF to have a dialogue that resulted in signing MUAFAKA II, a peace accord designed to ensure electoral and constitutional reforms. Most of the planned reforms were not implemented by the government, including, crucially, an agreed credible voter's register prior to the elections of October 2005

In the 30 October 2005 election, according to official results, Hamad was again defeated by Amani Abeid Karume, winning 46.07% of the vote to Karume's 53.18%. CUF disputed the election and refused to recognise Karume as President. International observers, such as the Commonwealth, and National Democratic Institute again noted serious concerns with the fairness of the poll, and the United States boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of Abeid Karume as President.

The union elections in December 2005 followed a similar pattern on Zanzibar with CUF carrying Pemba but not Unguja.