Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. It is made up of numerous small islands, the two largest being Unguja and Pemba. Zanzibar has a complex history and its ownership has changed hands between various countries and empires over the centuries.
Quick Summary
Here is a quick rundown of which country has owned Zanzibar over time:
- From the 16th to 19th centuries, Zanzibar was ruled by the Portuguese Empire, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Imamate of Oman.
- In 1890, Zanzibar became a British protectorate under the British Empire after signing treaty agreements with the Germans and British.
- Zanzibar gained independence from Britain and became a constitutional monarchy in 1963 under the Sultan of Zanzibar.
- In 1964, following a violent revolution, Zanzibar merged with mainland Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
- Today, Zanzibar remains a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania with its own President and governing bodies.
Early History
The early history of Zanzibar was shaped by its strategic location along important trade routes in the Indian Ocean. Beginning in the 16th century, the Portuguese Empire exerted control over the islands. The Portuguese used Zanzibar as a base for their naval forces to dominate trade in the region. They maintained their presence in Zanzibar for over 200 years between the 16th and 18th centuries.
In 1698, Zanzibar came under the influence of the Sultanate of Oman based in Muscat when Omani Arabs seized the islands. The Sultan of Oman moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, declaring the islands his main base. For much of the 19th century, Zanzibar was considered the seat of Omani power in the region. However, there was periodic tension between the Omani Arab elite based on Zanzibar and the hereditary rulers back in Oman. This led to Zanzibar briefly coming under the control of the Imamate of Oman in 1861 before being reintegrated back into the Omani Sultanate in 1862.
British Protectorate
In the late 19th century, European powers were scrambling to exert control over Africa. Germany had gained control of mainland Tanzania just across from Zanzibar. Seeking to limit German influence, the British government reached deals with the Germans and the Sultan of Zanzibar in the 1880s and 1890s making Zanzibar a British protectorate.
On November 11, 1890, an agreement was signed between Britain and Germany which officially gave Britain control of Zanzibar. In exchange, Germany was given control of mainland Tanzania, then known as German East Africa. A subsequent treaty was signed with the Sultan of Zanzibar that made Zanzibar a British protectorate under the authority of the British Empire.
Under this treaty agreement, the Sultan was allowed to maintain his position but gave up control over external affairs and foreign relations to the British. The British established their administrative headquarters in Zanzibar City and appointed advisers to oversee the government. While under British protection, Zanzibar continued to serve as an important trading center exporting goods such as coconuts, cloves, and ivory.
Key Dates of British Control of Zanzibar
- 1886 – Anglo-German agreement gives Britain control of Zanzibar
- 1890 – Heligoland–Zanzibar Treaty between Britain & Germany makes Zanzibar a British protectorate
- 1896 – Anglo-Zanzibar Treaty signed officially establishing protectorate status
- 1913 – Control of the protectorate passed from the Foreign Office to the Colonial Office
- 1925 – Protectorate given more autonomy under British supervision
- 1963 – Zanzibar gains independence from Britain
Independence & Revolution
As part of the larger decolonization process across Africa, steps were taken in the 1950s and early 1960s to give Zanzibar greater self-governance and autonomy. Zanzibar held its first elections in 1960 and a constitutional monarchy was established under the Sultan of Zanzibar. On December 10, 1963, Zanzibar formally achieved independence from Britain and became a constitutional monarchy under the Sultan.
However, this independence was short-lived. On January 12, 1964, a violent left-wing revolution took place on the islands inspired by the Marxist politics of the Afro-Shirazi Party. Backed by the Tanganyikan army, the revolution overthrew the Sultan and established a republic under the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council made up of Afro-Shirazi leaders. Thousands of Arabs and Indians who had settled on the islands were massacred or fled the island.
Following the Zanzibar Revolution, later in April 1964, the leaders of Zanzibar and Tanganyika agreed to merge their territories into one united republic under the name Tanzania. Zanzibar was integrated as a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania with its own President and governing bodies.
Zanzibar as Part of Tanzania
Since the establishment of Tanzania in 1964, Zanzibar has remained a semi-autonomous part of the Republic of Tanzania. It has its own President and legislative bodies overseeing local affairs. However, Tanzania’s national government holds ultimate sovereignty over Zanzibar, controlling matters related to foreign affairs, immigration, defense, and trade. This has been a source of tension over the decades.
Here is an overview of Zanzibar’s status as part of Tanzania since 1964:
- 1964 – Zanzibar merges with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania
- 1977 – Merger agreement restructured to give Zanzibar more internal autonomy
- 1984 – Zanzibar given right to enact own constitution & establish own government
- 1995 – Zanzibar President serves as First Vice President of Tanzania
- 2010 – Tanzania establishes referendum to resolve long-standing disputes over Zanzibar’s status
- 2015 – President of Zanzibar also becomes First Vice President of Tanzania
- 2017 – Zanzibar adopts a new constitution affirming its autonomy within Tanzania
Despite tensions, Zanzibar remains integrated as a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania today. Zanzibar holds its own regular elections for President and its House of Representatives. The current President of Zanzibar is Hussein Mwinyi who was elected in 2020. While Zanzibar oversees many of its domestic affairs, Tanzania’s national government manages foreign affairs, security, immigration, and other major policy areas.
Conclusion
In summary, while Zanzibar has been ruled by the Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Imamate of Oman, and the British Empire throughout its history, it has been part of Tanzania since gaining independence and undergoing revolution in 1964. As a semi-autonomous region, Zanzibar remains an integral part of the United Republic of Tanzania today despite some ongoing tensions over its status within Tanzania.