The structure of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania

The structure of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is designed to manage both Union matters and those related to Mainland Tanzania. It operates through the Government, Parliament, and the Judiciary, with the following key decision-making organs:

The structure of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania

The president of the United Republic of Tanzania

Role: The president is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Election: Elected by Tanzanians every five years, with the president coming from either Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar. If the president is from Zanzibar, the vice-president must be from Mainland Tanzania, and vice versa.

Powers: The president appoints key government officials such as ministers, permanent secretaries, regional and district commissioners, and heads of public parastatals. They chair all cabinet meetings.

The vice-president

Role: The vice-president assists the president on Union matters, makes decisions when the president is unavailable, and represents the president in meetings both locally and internationally.

Election: Elected alongside the president. If the vice-president resigns or passes away, the president appoints a replacement, subject to parliamentary approval.

The president of Zanzibar

Role: Elected by the people of Zanzibar, the president of Zanzibar is an advisor to the president of the United Republic of Tanzania on Union matters and attends all cabinet meetings.

The prime minister

Role: Appointed by the president from elected members of parliament and approved by parliament. The prime minister is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the government and ensuring the implementation of the president's directives.

Function: Supervises government duties in parliament and coordinates government actions.

The cabinet

Composition: The cabinet is made up of the vice-president, prime minister, president of Zanzibar, and all appointed ministers. It advises the president on matters concerning the Constitution and other presidential instructions.

Ministerial roles: Ministers, appointed by the president, oversee the activities of their respective ministries. Deputy ministers and permanent secretaries assist ministers but are not part of the cabinet.

The cabinet secretary

Role: The chief executive officer in the Office of the Cabinet, responsible for preparing the agenda for cabinet meetings, recording minutes, and maintaining meeting records. The cabinet secretary also communicates the decisions of the cabinet to the public.

The attorney general

Role: A qualified lawyer and a member of the cabinet, the attorney general advises the cabinet on legal matters but does not vote on cabinet decisions.