Tanzania's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on Sunday approved the party's 16th constitution amendments which ushered in major changes on the party structure and systems.

The constitution amendments were approved by over 4,000 CCM delegates attending the party's congress chaired by President John Magufuli in the political capital Dodoma.

Opening the congress, President Magufuli said the changes were aimed at improving efficiency of the ruling party so as to enable it face the opposition which was now growing.

"The changes stems from long time CCM culture of self assessment. From the assessment we made after the General Election, we realized the need for introducing these changes," said Magufuli.

He said the changes also target improving the structure and operating systems within the party with the aim of, among other things, reducing operation costs.

President Magufuli said the CCM evaluation established a number of shortcomings including establishment of leadership cadres within the party that were not in the constitution.

He said unfortunately, in some cases, these new leadership cadres wielded so much power and started to create confrontations within the party.

Magufuli said the changes were also aimed at bringing people closer to the party, adding that CCM was formed as the party for the oppressed but along the way some people with money hijacked it.

"We should return to our roots and basics. This party is for poor and the oppressed," he said.

In its extraordinary meeting, the CCM congress also approved proposals by the party's national chairman, President Magufuli, to fill three vacant posts of members of CCM secretariat.

In the new appointments, Abdallah Juma Abdallah was named the party's deputy secretary general for Zanzibar, Pereira Ame Silima was named new secretary for Organization and Frank George became the new secretary for Finance.

Source: Xinhua