Dar es salaam, tanzania thomson reuters foundation womens rights groups in tanzania are demanding that a new constitution clearly define the word person to mean a man and a woman in. Mar 12, 2015 the outcomes of stage i was the a report of public opinions on the new constitution explaining constitutional issues proposed, history and practice in tanzania, experience from other parts of the world and reasons supporting each issue in question. The diplomatic corps, assembled at the annual new year sherry party, were told by the president that the people of tanzania will be fully involved in the process and ultimately, they will be the one to decide. Apr 14, 2018 before answering this question we need to look at the history and development of the current constitution of tanzania to help us understand why or if there is a need for a new constitution. However, delays to voter registration led to it being postponed. Tanzania constitutional forum to relaunch new katiba. Under the 1977 constitution, the head of state and head of government of tanzania is the president s. Tanzanian affairs tanzanias constitutional amendments.
For administrative purposes, mainland tanzania is divided into regions. Constitution of the united republic of tanzania 1977, as. Mwalimu julius nyerere and oscar kambona changed the tanganyika african association into the tanganyika african national union. Tanzania has postponed a referendum on a new constitution after delays in registering voters, the electoral body said thursday.
A referendum was set for 30 april 2015 on a new constitution. The constitution of the united republic of tanzania of 1977. In just a few months, well find out if the country is to have a new national constitution with the power to transform the lives and protect the rights. Following president jakaya kikwetes announcement on 4 november 2014 that the referendum for tanzanias new constitution will be held on. Tanzanias proposed new constitution and the fate of. That is to say, if the constitution itself provides that particular amendment, then it could be possible to amend the constitution, e. Tanzania country constitutional profile constitutionnet. Tanzanias constitutional reform predicament and the. Tanzania constitutional forum to relaunch new katiba debate. In a milestone for tanzania, the countrys proposed new constitution provides women with equal rights to own and use land women in tanzania have. See chris maina peter, constitution making process in tanzania. Constitution of the united states of america bill of rights. New constitution in tanzania could end one party rule.
Women in tanzania set for equal land rights lets make. The creation of an independent electoral commission. Key historical and constitutional developments from 1961 at the time of her independence up to 1977, when she got her permanent constitution, tanzania had 5 new constitutions namely. Moreover, tanzania is currently in the process of revising its constitution, with the goal of having a new constitution in place by the end of 2014. Before answering this question we need to look at the history and development of the current constitution of tanzania to help us understand why or if there is a need for a new constitution. Tanzanian women hope for a stronger voice in new constitution. Constitution of the united states of america bill of. An existing national assembly which converted to a constituent assembly by an act of parliament passed the new republican constitution. About nine months to general elections, the forum believes this is the right time for tanzanians to start demanding a people.
However, as a political campaign issue the call for a new constitution featured most in the civic elections that were concluded on 31 st october 2010. Tanzania delays referendum on constitution voice of. New constitution in tanzania could end one party rule, says. Debating constitutional amendments in tanzania issa g. Kenyas new constitution passed in 2010 recognizes the right of quality care resulting in the devolution of health service delivery to the subnational units called counties in 20. This constitution essentially confirmed the main principles of the republic and interim constitutions, i. On the 40 th anniversary of the adoption of tanzanias first permanent constitution, nick branson points to where this distinctive document shows significant signs of strain tanzanias 1977 constitution katiba in swahili provides for a dual government structure. The outcomes of stage i was the a report of public opinions on the new constitution explaining constitutional issues proposed, history and practice in tanzania, experience from other parts of the world and reasons supporting each issue in question. For tanzania, the discussion about esr is relevant for a number of reasons. Inconsequential constitutional amendments have been referred to as patches or viraka. Allowing presidential election results to be legally challenged. Tanzanias constitutional reform predicament and the survival.
The government of zanzibar adopts a new constitution supporting the national constitution. The territory of the united republic of tanzania 3. Tanzania s constitution limits presidents to two terms in office. Parliament means that whole period commencing from the date the new. We have programs, staff and offices across all three countries, and a world respected practice of learning, monitoring and evaluation. Sep 02, 2014 we also commend the government of tanzania for its current steps to develop a new constitution, which we hope will fully aim to improve the human rights, social, economic and political wellbeing. Childrens councils called upon the constitution to recognize childrens rights and responsibilities, including the rights of children with disabilities, and the role of childrens councils in the new constitution in order to expand protection of children in tanzania by guaranteeing the right to be protected against violence, the right to. Twaweza works on enabling children to learn, citizens to exercise agency and governments to be more open and responsive in tanzania, kenya and uganda. The second major achievement in the new constitution was the inclusion of a chapter on human rights. The proposed draft constitution content preamble chapter one the united republic of tanzania article part one name, boundaries, symbols, language, national values 1. Implementation of the new constitutional provisions. This model is unique in the african context, where several other states have established federations. The constitution of the united republic of tanzania of 1977 wipo. In 1965 tanzania adopted an interim constitution while the country awaited the drafting of a new constitution, after it abolished the multiparty political system and adopted a.
Will the new constitution protect womens rights in tanzania. Now, therefore, this constitution is enacted by the constituent assembly of the united republic of tanzania, on behalf of the people, for the purpose of building such a society and ensuring that tanzania is governed by a government that adheres to the principles of democracy and socialism and shall be a secular state. Follow and subscribe to our youtube channel for updates on daily basis. The civic united front cuf, with a strong power base on zanzibar most notably the island of pemba, managed to secure 19. Oct 22, 2014 tanzania will hold a referendum in april on a new constitution, its attorneygeneral said on wednesday, angering opposition parties which boycotted the drafting process and reject the draft charter. Secondly, presently the united republic of tanzania is in the process of enacting a new constitution. Thats the proposal put forth by a group of politicians drafting a new constitution intended to usher in prosperity for all tanzanias people, urban and rural, rich and poor. Each region is administered by a commissioner who is appointed by the central government. Judiciary of tanzania home constitution of tanzania. Mr hamad salim, a political science lecturer at the open university of tanzania, is of the opinion that it might not be feasible to get a new constitution before the 2020 general election. A major criticism of tanzania had formerly been the lack of a legal basis for its respect of human rights. The tanzania constitutional forum jukata yesterday said it will revive the debate on the new katiba that has stalled for four years ago to ensure this years general elections are held under the new constitution.
A new constitution for tanzania equals new hope for women. The proposed draft largely preserved the current 2government structure a union government that also governs. Putting religious differences aside, tanzanians craft new. Tanzanias current legal framework has failed to address womens rights and gender equality due to the prolonged and continued existence of forced child marriages, killings of elderly women, female genital mutilation and limited access to reproductive health services. The postponement heightened tensions over the charter, which the. Wednesday, october 8 constituted a momentous day in the history of tanzania. Include specific provisions relating to marriage in. The countrys draft committee of the constitute assembly, the body tasked with writing a new constitution for the east african country, officially presented its work to president jakaya kikwete along with president of the autonomous zanzibar region ali mohamed shein in dodoma. The constitution of the united republic of tanzania as further amended fourth constitution 1977today one month after ccm was founded, the permanent constitution was approved. An examination of actors roles and influence edwin babeiya department of political science and public administration, dar es salaam university college of education, university of dar es salaam, p.
Tanzania to hold referendum on new constitution in april 2015. Prior to that, the tanganyika african national union tanu and zanzibars afro shiraz party asp were the only political parties that separately governed the two countries after independence. This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the comparative constitutions project, and distributed on. Tanzania will hold a referendum in april on a new constitution, its attorneygeneral said on wednesday, angering opposition parties which boycotted the. Tanzanias proposed new constitution and the fate of social. Mar, 2014 this year is critical for women in tanzania. In 2005, the new president, jakaya kikwete currently in his second and last term, renewed the countrys commitment to fight corruption and has since implemented a revised nacsap. Tanzanias constitution limits presidents to two terms in office. The constitution of the united republic of tanzania, 1977 cap.
First, tanzania has ratified various international and regional instruments relating to the protection of social and economic rights. Tanzania to hold referendum on new constitution in april. Britain obtained mandate over tanganyika under the league of nations. We also commend the government of tanzania for its current steps to develop a new constitution, which we hope will fully aim to improve the human. Mwesiga baregu, tanzanias hesitant and disjointed constitutional reform process, paper presented to conference on constitutionmaking processes, july 2000 2. The 1977 constitution, with its subsequent amendments which will be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs, is the current constitution of tanzania nyanduga, 1985.
Click the button below to access bench books, and sometimes you might be asked to provide the. Is the proposed new constitution likely to do a better job at protecting and promoting womens rights in tanzania. Constitutional amendments passed to provide for a bill of rights. The thirst for a new constitution in the united republic of tanzania emerged after the formal introduction of a multiparty political system in 1992. The new president of tanzania was granted the prerogatives of both former roles, governor general and first minister, serving as the head of state as well as. Tanzanias judiciary is appointed by the president in consultation with the. In forming a commission to come up with drafts for a new constitution, according to this observer, the foundation stone should have been to strengthen a tanzania that has survived half a century on. Introduction the citizen2 has been recently reporting on the recommendations made for change in the constitution and other laws by a committee that was appointed by the speaker of the national assembly, hon. Preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america. In tanzania, a scholar says popular support for a new constitution could end the dominance of the ruling chama cha mapinduzi ccm. Do not forget to turn on notification so you are always up to date.
The call for a new constitution is not new in tanzanias politics. Nov 27, 20 thats the proposal put forth by a group of politicians drafting a new constitution intended to usher in prosperity for all tanzanias people, urban and rural, rich and poor. Moreover, it is a constitution whose terms cannot be altered by ordinary forms of legislation, only by special amending procedures. On december 10, 1963, zanzibar achieved independence as a member of the commonwealth. Schedule of cases to be heard by the courts on the following days. A constitutional referendum was planned to be held in tanzania on 30 april 2015. A new interim constitution was passed in 1964, recognizing all the changes brought by the union and proposals made by a one party commission.
Oct 10, 2014 wednesday, october 8 constituted a momentous day in the history of tanzania. A new permanent constitution for tanzania is adopted. At district, division, and ward levels, there are popularly elected councils with appointed executive officers. New constitutionmaking in tanzania academic journals. In january 1964 the zanzibar government was overthrown by an internal revolution, sayyid jamshid ibn abdullah who had succeeded to the sultanate in july 1963 on his fathers death was deposed, and a republic was proclaimed.