Ruling party to approve constitutional reforms

Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa on Monday said the recommendations of a presidential committee, which collected public views on proposed constitutional reform, will have to pass the test of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) before they are sent to parliament. 'The Guardian' newspaper quoted Mkapa as saying "serious issues" such as constitutional reform must first get the approval of the party. "Before it is sent to parliament, the report and the views of the cabinet must pass the test of the CCM central committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to ensure that it is in agreement with party policies," he said. He reportedly stressed that nobody could influence the government on how to deal with the recommendations contained in the report.