Tanzania's Magufuli rejects calls to extend presidential term

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Saturday reiterated his rejection of calls from within the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limit.

A statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communication said the president was disappointed by ongoing discussion by CCM members and Tanzanians in general calling for the extension of presidential terms from five years to seven years.

"President Magufuli has appealed to Tanzanians to ignore such calls because the issue of presidential term extension has never been discussed by top organs of the ruling party," said the statement.

The statement said Magufuli has no plans to extend his leadership tenure when the constitutional limit of two five-year terms ends in 2025.

Magufuli was elected in 2015 succeeding President Jakaya Kikwete. His current term expires in 2020 when new elections will be held, and if re-elected, he will serve until 2025.

In August 2017, Magufuli rejected calls from some of his supporters to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limit.

Tanzania has held five relatively peaceful multi-party elections since 1995, all won by the ruling party. Enditem