The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a travel advisory, urging tourists visiting Zanzibar and Tanzania to be cautious following a recent spate of violence affecting the area, according to a report by eturbonews.com.

The warning comes as a result of last weekend’s political unrest in Zanzibar’s capital Stone Town, in which hundreds of supporters of the Uamsho group, a separatist Islamist group, set fire to two churches and clashed with police during protests against the arrest of senior members.

Uamsho, which claims to safeguard Islamic customs on the majority-Muslim island, has called for a referendum on Zanzibar's exit from its union with mainland Tanzania.

Four tourists were also mugged in Dar es Salaam last week.

In reaction, the Tanzanian government has announced that it has intensified security in key tourist spots including hotels in both the mainland and Zanzibar.

 “The government of Tanzania reiterates its commitment in assuring tourists visiting Tanzania of their security, while  measures have been taken to those found taking part in causing recent chaos in Zanzibar,” said Lazaro Nyalandu, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Tourism.

Nyalandu said police patrols had been introduced in all areas where tourists strolled, and on all beaches.

According to Zanzibar’s President, Dr Ali Mohammed Shein: “Nothing will be spared in the drive to ensure they do not create chaos again in the community. Government agencies have also been directed to closely monitor the activities of all religious groups in the isles in order to ensure that they do not break the law and interfere with the right of worship of other people.  

“Peace has made a tremendous contribution to our economy.  Some 80% of forex comes from the tourism sector and there is no way we will allow some people to play with peace,” added Shein.
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