Political unrest had been increasing on Zanzibar and Pemba since the death of Sultan Khalifa in 1960. He had reigned in Zanzibar for almost 50 years, since 1911.
Mchafuko wa kisiasa ulikuwa ukiongezeka ndani ya Zanzibar na Pemba tangu kifo cha Sultani Khalifa katika mwaka 1960. Sultani Khalifa alitawala Zanzibar kwa karibu ya miaka 50, tangu mwaka 1911.