Zanzibar — AS Zanzibar marks the second anniversary of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the First Vice-President, Seif Sharif Hamad, has said that the government still faces challenges including financial indiscipline.

Addressing journalists , Mr Hamad said GNU had recorded several achievements including maintaining peace and stability and improving accountability, "but some civil servants have not put into practice the tenets of financial discipline for development of the nation."

He said reports by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) still showed that some officers in the government abused their respective offices through embezzlement of public funds and delayed services."Lack of necessary documents to account for the public funds is corruption and we cannot accept that. Financial discipline must be observed by all civil servants,"

Maalim Seif said amid growing concerns over the use of taxpayers' money.He said the government would increase its awareness campaigns to improve financial discipline in the government by making sure that people, including civil servants in the government, nurtured GNU for national interest.

Mr Hamad, who is the Secretary General of the Civic United Front (CUF) admitted that GNU needed to work hard to overcome the social and economic challenges in the islands particularly to improve people's lives.

He said that more efforts were also required to minimize political bickering among some leaders before it affects full implementation of GNU.

The GNU system of leadership was formed in 2010 after peaceful election following the agreement between then President Amani Karume (immediate former President of Zanzibar on the ruling CCM ticket) and Seif Sharif Hamad (CUF) to end political instability in the islands.

Meanwhile, Mr Hamad said that the resignation of his deputy Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu last Friday was a blow to his party, "but since he wants to have more freedom in fighting for the rights of the people of Zanzibar, we considered his resignation request and allowed him to step down. Others can learn from him." He said there were no crisis within the party, and that Jussa willingly stepped down.