Tanzania to vote on new constitution in April 2015

Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in office. By Jewel Samad (AFP/File)

Dar es Salaam (AFP) - Tanzania will hold a referendum in April 2015 on a new constitution, the government has announced, a move rejected by the opposition, who said Thursday that the drafting process ignored it.

The opposition is angry because the draft constitution makes few major changes to the structure of government, claiming it has therefore rejected its calls for a strengthening of the federal system to limit presidential powers.

"I can confirm April 30 as the date for referendum," Attorney General Frederick Werema said.

Opposition lawmakers led by the Chadema party stormed out during debate on the draft, leaving discussion to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has been in power since independence in 1961, and controls two-thirds of the assembly.

"There was no quorum during the drafting process, and we have reports of cheating," Chadema spokesman John Mnyika said.

If passed, the proposed constitution would come into force ahead of general elections due in October 2015. However, President Jakaya Kikwete has served his two terms in power and cannot run again.

In 2011, the government agreed to draft a new constitution, with a team touring the country to collect ideas. But critics say those suggestions were not properly reflected in the draft.

"The whole process was not only a waste of time but also a waste of resources," said Chris Maina Peter, law professor at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Proposed changes would set limits on how many cabinet ministers the president can appoint and introduce equal representation of men and women in parliament.

It would also grant women equal land ownership rights.

A new constitution would also impact the autonomous government in Tanzania's Zanzibar archipelago, amid calls by some islanders to end to the 50-year union with the mainland.