Sultan Barghash bin Said of Zanzibar took a decisive step to close the infamous slave market in Zanzibar, an action motivated by a treaty with Great Britain aimed at eradicating the slave trade. This market had been a central hub for the trafficking of enslaved individuals in East Africa, significantly contributing to the regional economy and the international slave market. The closure was a critical juncture in the fight against slavery, as it indicated a shift not just in legal terms but also in the morals and values of political leaders in the region. Sultan Barghash, seeking to modernize and elevate Zanzibar’s international standing, recognized that maintaining the slave trade undermined these goals and hindered potential alliances with Western powers. By signing the treaty and enforcing the closure, he effectively aligned his policies with a growing global consensus against the slave trade. This act also placed Zanzibar in a complex geopolitical landscape, as it navigated relationships with European powers that had both imperial ambitions and humanitarian agendas.

In enforcing this treaty's terms, Sultan Barghash was challenged by internal resistance, as many local traders depended on the slave trade for their livelihoods. Nevertheless, the Sultan's commitment to the treaty reflected a significant moral stance and demonstrated leadership in a period of increasing international pressure against slavery. The closure had immediate socio-economic ramifications. Many enslaved individuals were freed, and the community began to grapple with the transition from a slave-based economy to one that could possibly rely on other forms of labor. This transition was fraught with challenges but laid the groundwork for Zanzibar's eventual economic reforms. The move also set a precedent for other regional leaders grappling with similar issues of slavery and trade, influencing future legislative and social shifts throughout East Africa and beyond.