Tanzania opposition party denies crisis

The leader of one of Tanzania's main opposition parties has denied that the defection of large numbers of its members has badly damaged the party.

Edith Lucina, vice-chairman of the opposition NCCR Mageuzi Party, said in a BBC interview that her party retained its unity and was ready to contest the elections due in October.

She was speaking after the weekend defection of about three-hundred people belonging to opposition groups to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party.

Most of these defectors came from the NCCR Maguezi party and included some prominent figures.

Correspondents say defections began in March, after the opposition party elected a new executive.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service