Chapter 61: Zanzibar's New Elegant Government
With Baghash bin Said in power, he wasted no time in implementing his new policies for the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Baghash declared himself the first ruler of Zanzibar, taking on full authority as the deputy of Majid bin Said Sultan in charge of national affairs.
He began his reign by denouncing slavery, labeling it a crime that had been implemented by Sultan Majid bin Said due to the influence of traitors. Baghash passionately portrayed the abolition of slavery as a turning point in history and an act of great evil.
"In summary, I declare that the slavery system in the Sultanate of Zanzibar will be abolished immediately, and the slave trade in the Sultanate of Zanzibar will be prohibited," Baghash proclaimed.
This declaration sent shockwaves through the Zanzibari government. Ministers voiced their concerns, arguing that abolishing slavery would undermine the very foundations of Zanzibar's prosperity. They contended that the economy relied heavily on the slave trade and that banning it would cause severe damage.
The ministers, many of whom were slave owners themselves and had profited greatly from the trade, tried to convince Baghash to reconsider. They asserted that Zanzibar, as a small and impoverished nation, could not afford to abandon the slave trade and should prioritize national interests over the views of the civilized world.
The ministers' pleas fell on deaf ears. Baghash was determined to proceed with his reforms and warned them not to test his patience.
Baghash bin Said had learned from his past failures and realized that he needed power to enact change. To secure his position, he actively courted progressive officers who opposed slavery and ensured that his loyal supporters held key positions in the army.
His first order of business was to expel the Germans who had provided slaves to Zanzibar. Baghash declared that Zanzibar would no longer welcome slave traders. This decision, while causing concern among the ministers, also relieved them, as they were well aware of the strength of the German presence in East Africa and the benefits of obtaining slaves from them.
The ministers knew that Ernst, the leader of the East African colonies, valued land over native labor, and the Germans posed a formidable force. They had initially feared that the Germans might hinder their interests in East Africa, but instead, the Germans had become a convenient source of slaves for Zanzibar.
Baghash's return from Mumbai had given him insights into the power of having a military force at his disposal. He recognized the need to wield authority forcefully to achieve his goals.
As Baghash appointed his loyalists to key positions and moved forward with his reforms, tensions escalated. In Dar es Salaam, Lieutenant General Kati, the new Zanzibari military leader, arrogantly ordered Mr. Bazel and his armed men to leave the port. Bazel complied, arranging for the immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to head north to the port of Tanga, where East African colonial troops were stationed. This move aimed to ensure their safety and avoid further complications with Zanzibar.
Felix's army, en route to Dar es Salaam, was on foot and marching diligently to reach the port before nightfall.
The situation in Zanzibar was rapidly changing under Baghash bin Said's leadership, and the conflict between his reformist agenda and the vested interests of the ministers and slave traders was intensifying.
(End of Chapter 61)