Zanzibar — POLICE in Zanzibar have arrested suspects in connection with unrest that rocked the streets of Zanzibar on Friday evening.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mussa Ali Mussa, confirmed the arrest, saying that 43 suspects had been put in custody and leaders of UAMSHO group were still on the run.

Mussa said that the suspects would appear in court tomorrow (Monday) charged with illegal assembly and disruption of peace including street blockade and burning tires.

"Followers of UAMSHO assembled on Friday claiming that they intended to pray for victims of the deadly ferry accident. However, the police discovered that they had a hidden agenda of disrupting peace at this particular time of national grief," the Police chief explained.

Meanwhile, the Union parliament Speaker, Ms Anne Makinda, on Saturday, joined other people and organizations to send condolences to the Zanzibar President, Ali Mohamed Shein, following the fatal marine accident.

According to the Zanzibar State House press secretary Mr Rajab Mkasaba, Makinda, accompanied by some MPs, visited President Shein to comfort him and the people of Zanzibar following the tragic marine accident of Mv Skagit last Wednesday, killing at least 68 people. Many others are still missing.

European Union (EU) envoys from Egypt, India, Vietnam, Japan, representatives from NGOs and political parties (CCM, CUF, and others) sent condolences. Meanwhile, the Second Vice-President of Zanzibar, Seif Ali Iddi, has said that no more bodies have been retrieved from the ill-fated marine vessel.

He said the rescue operation has officially been called off and there would be special prayers at different mosques in Zanzibar tomorrow in remembrance of the victims.