Tanzania Parliament pass law granting President immunity; Parliament set to be dissolved June 19

Tanzania’s Parliament has passed a controversial bill that grants immunity to the president and other top officials from lawsuits regarding any act or omission in duties, local media reported Thursday.

The bill which was rejected by civil society organizations on the ground that it contravenes constitutional rights, such as equality before the law, accountability and separation of powers, according to The Citizen news website.

The bill caused debate in parliament but was approved by amending 13 separate laws, including the Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement Act (1994), according to the report.

"A majority of the MPs voted for the Bill and now we wait for the President to sign it into law," The Citizen quoted Deputy Speaker Tulia Ackson, after changes were passed.

"An application under this section shall not be admitted by the High Court unless it is accompanied by an affidavit stating the extent to which the contravention of provisions of articles 12 to 29 of the constitution has affected such person personally," according to the amendment.

Rights groups and the opposition in the eastern African nation were against the bill which gives immunity to president, vice president, prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker as well as Tanzania’s chief justice.

Tanzania's Parliament is set to be dissolved on June 19 when the house will end its businesses with a possible address by President John Magufuli, Speaker of Parliament has announced recently.