Legal System of Tanzania

Tanzania is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in eastern africa, bordering the indian ocean, between kenya and mozambique. The country achieved independence on 26 april 1964 (tanganyika united with zanzibar to form the united republic of tanganyika and zanzibar); 29 october 1964 (renamed united republic of tanzania); notable earlier dates: 9 december 1961 (tanganyika became independent from uk-administered un trusteeship); 10 december 1963 (zanzibar became independent from uk). The capital is Dodoma.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021) Head of Government: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly Administrative Divisions: 31 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Songwe, Tabora, Tanga National Holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Tanzania is described as english common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles including those on sovereignty of the United Republic, the authorities and powers of the government, the president, the Assembly, and the High Court requires two-thirds majority vote of the mainland Assembly membership and of the Zanzibar House of Representatives membership; House of Representatives approval of other amendments is not required

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices) Judge Selection: Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high-level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 60, but terms can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 Subordinate Courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: the Attorney General fills the “other” seat as an ex-officio member

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous paleoanthropological sites, and its diverse cultural heritage reflects the multiple ethnolinguistic groups that live in the country. Its long history of integration into trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean and the African interior led to the development of Swahili as a common language in much of east Africa and the introduction of Islam into the region.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Tanzania based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.