Tanzania's ruling party split over presidential candidate

Dodoma: A former Tanzanian prime minister who was the front-runner in a race to be the ruling party's presidential candidate has been dropped from a shortlist for the post, triggering a rift among senior members in the party, officials said.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has ruled Tanzania for five decades and the person nominated to be its candidate is almost assured of winning the election in October, taking over from President Jakaya Kikwete who has served a maximum two terms.