Defence ministry reassures Z`bar is secure from terrorist attacks

Zanzibar's narrow street
The Deputy Minister for Defense and National Service, Omar Yussuf Mzee

The government on Tuesday reassured that Zanzibar was not vulnerable to terrorist attacks compared to other countries in the world.

The Deputy Minister for Defense and National Service, Omar Yussuf Mzee, made the statement when responding to a question by the Singida North legislator, Lazaro Nyalandu (CCM).

Nyalandu had wanted to know if Zanzibar and Pemba were vulnerable to terrorists? attacks.

Responding on behalf of the Minister for Defense and National Services, the Deputy Minister said that the islands were not in any way under terrorist threat.

?Terrorism around the world seems to have no boundary because of its big network in a number of areas. Terrorist acts can take place any where including in the two islands.

However, Pemba and Unguja islands are not in danger of terrorism in comparison to other countries in the world,? he said.

Asked on plans by the country?s armed forces to improve and strengthen artillery to protect the country against both, nearby and distant enemies, including the purchase of attack helicopters; the deputy minister said that the defense force was very keen over the country?s security and was capable of engaging all enemies.

Mzee said that the defense forces had undergone modern military training, had adequate equipment and modern military arsenals to protect the country.

``In addition to that the Ministry of Defense and national Service has prepared short and long term development programmes on how to improve and strengthen the army. The plan also focuses on the purchase of modern military equipment,`` he said.