Travellers are advised to review any plans to visit
Zanzibar during late October and early November 2005. Tanzania will
hold a general election on October 30, 2005. Previous elections
generally have been peaceful on the Tanzanian mainland, but following
the 2000 elections, violent demonstrations occurred on Zanzibar (and
Unguja and Pemba) and many people were killed. The demonstrations were
not directed at tourists and no foreign visitors were hurt.

Tensions are already rising in Zanzibar during the run
up to the October 2005 elections. Opposition party leaders have
threatened to stage massive demonstrations if their conditions for a
free and fair election are not met. The opposition is calling for
peaceful demonstrations, but things can turn violent with little or no
warning. If demonstrations do occur, they are not expected to target
foreign tourists, however, they could disrupt transportation and
communication systems.