Rights
The 1977 constitution over a two-part union with Zanzibar
The Constitution of 1977, amended many times, governs the United Republic. Zanzibar retains its own constitution, legislature, judiciary and President with authority over non-union matters, and the list of union matters is the constitutional fault line. A 2014 draft constitution was never put to referendum.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The High Court hears constitutional petitions; the Court of Appeal of Tanzania is the final court for both parts of the union except on Zanzibar constitutional matters.
- Deadline — Presidential term: five years, renewable once
- Deadline — Constitutional petition: brought under the Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement Act
Governing law
- Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977as amended
- Constitution of Zanzibar, 1984as amended 2010
- Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement ActCap 3
In practice
Tanzania is a union of two entities with asymmetric autonomy: Zanzibar has its own President, House of Representatives and courts, and the Court of Appeal of Tanzania does not hear appeals on Zanzibari constitutional questions. The 2010 Zanzibar amendment introducing a government of national unity, and the failure of the 2014 draft union constitution, are the two most significant recent constitutional events.