Zanzibar Nationalist Party

The Zanzibar Nationalist Party (ZNP) was a political organization primarily representing the Zanzibari Arab population. In the lead-up to Zanzibar's independence, the ZNP, along with the Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party (ZPPP), formed a coalition government. This coalition won elections in June 1963, securing 18 seats in the Legislative Council, while the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), representing the African population, won 13 seats. Zanzibar gained independence from the United Kingdom on December 10, 1963, as a member of the Commonwealth. In January 1964, a revolution overthrew the government, deposing the sultan and proclaiming a republic. The ASP leader, Abeid Amani Karume, became president of the People's Republic of Zanzibar. Subsequently, on April 26, 1964, Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, later renamed Tanzania.123