Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December
1961 (from UN trusteeship under British administration); Zanzibar
became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with
Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and
Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964)
Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ali Hassan MWINYI (since 5 November 1985);
First Vice President Cleopa MSUYA (since 5 December 1994); Second Vice
President and President of Zanzibar Salmin AMOUR (since 9 November
1990) election last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held 29 October
1995); results - Ali Hassan MWINYI was elected without opposition
head of government: Prime Minister Cleopa David MSUYA (since 7
December 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from the National
Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Bunge): elections last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held 29 October 1995); results - CCM was the only party; seats - (241 total, 168 elected) CCM 168
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court
Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or
Revolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI; Civic United Front (CUF),
James MAPALALA; National Convention for Construction and Reform
(NCCR), Lyatonga (Augustine) MREMA; Union for Multiparty Democracy
(UMD), Abdullah FUNDIKIRA; Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo
(CHADEMA), Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman; Democratic Party
(unregistered), Reverend MTIKLA
Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, FLS, G- 6, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO