Remembering Nyerere

Tanzanians, today, are marking the centenary of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first president and founder of the United Republic of Tanzania. Nyerere’s commitment in creating and preserving unity, in search for peaceful resolution of conflicts, and in fighting for freedom, independence and justice not only in his country but everywhere in the world are some of the common themes that Tanzania shares with Qatar and which enhances relations between the two countries.Nyerere was born on 13th April, 1922 and drew his last breath on 14th October, 1999, at the age of 77. Had he continued to live, this year Nyerere would have clocked 100 years. Twenty three years after Nyerere’s death, as we mark his centenary, Tanzanians remember their founder not by grieving for his death but by celebrating his life and by contemplating and discussing the legacy he left behind.Nyerere received his basic education in his homeland Tanganyika, before he proceeded to Makerere College (University) in Uganda and later to Edinburg University where he became the first Tanganyikan to study at a British University. He graduated in 1952 with an MA in history and economics. Upon return to Tanganyika, Nyerere taught in different schools hence the title of Mwalimu (teacher) which he carried all his life.  Nyerere joined politics while continuing teaching and presided over the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), the organisation which fought for independence of Tanganyika. As it was difficult to be involved in politics while continuing teaching, Nyerere left his teaching job and fully involved himself in the field and struggle for independence.Tanganyika gained its independence on December 9, 1961 with Nyerere as its first prime minister. In 1962, Tanganyika became a republic and Nyerere was elected the president. Although Nyerere was himself a son of a chief, he rejected tribalism and all forms of racial and ethnic discrimination. He articulated and stood for this position both as the president of TANU and as the president of the country. Nyerere used and promoted Kiswahili language both to tone down ethnicity and to unite the country which has 120 tribes.Nyerere was a Pan-Africanist and therefore a firm believer of the unity of Africans. He believed that the African states that were carved out of artificial boarders imposed by the colonialists during their scramble for Africa needed to unite to form a stronger polity.  He unsuccessfully advocated and championed the formation of the East African Federation, which would have included Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. Nyerere was even prepared to delay Tanganyika’s independence to enable the three states to achieve their independence together as a single federated state.  Having failed to convince Uganda and Kenya to form the Federation, Nyerere turned to Zanzibar and succeeded in April, 1964 to merge Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania and become the founder, President. Nyerere continued to serve as president of Tanzania for successive terms until 1985 when he resigned and handed over presidency to his successor. By resigning on his own and handing over presidency to the successor, Nyerere achieved another “first” by establishing a culture of peaceful transfer of power. This was at a time when no other African leader had voluntary stepped down and handed over power to another.Kwame Nkrumah in 1957 had declared that “Ghana’s independence was meaningless unless the whole of Africa was liberated from colonial rule”. This led Nyerere also to declare that independence of Tanzania was useless until and unless the whole of Africa is free. He was a strong advocate against the apartheid in South Africa and he chaired a group of African Frontline States which advocated for the elimination of white supremacy in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia). Due to his support and commitment in fighting for independence for the whole of African continent, Tanzania became a hub of liberation movements and political parties of most of the Southern African countries.Nyerere was a leader and a thinker. He was a Pan-Africanist, anti-colonialist, a politician and social activist. He belonged to the first-generation of leaders of independent Africa who did not only fight for independence of their countries but who also knew that no single state could survive and thrive single-handedly on its own.The centenary of Julius Nyerere, is an apt time to remember and cherish his contribution and legacy in promoting Kiswahili language, in creating unity in Tanzania and beyond, in starting a culture of peaceful and periodic transfer of power, and for his Pan-Africanism. Nyerere also will also continue to be remembered for founding Tanzania. The United Republic of Tanzania, while still a work in progress it is still the only surviving union of the former sovereign states in the whole of Africa.Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere always preached what he believed in and lived what he preached. As an internationalist, he co-operated and worked with all who recognised Tanzania’s sovereignty and who valued equality, independence and human rights.  To Mwalimu Nyerere oppression had to be fought everywhere and struggle for independence had to be supported anywhere in the world.  It is for this reason that he unreservedly supported POLISARIO in its fight for independence of Western Sahara and PLO for its fight for freedom and independence of Palestine.  Nyerere will continue to be remembered and cherished by Tanzanians, Africans and all the freedom and peace-loving people in the world for his thoughts, deeds and sacrifices as a freedom fighter, president and later as an old statesman. Here in Qatar, the spirit of Nyerere can be seen in the way Qatar plays its role both within the nation and internationally. Within the nation, Qatar spares no effort in bringing unity of both the nationals and the residents and in fighting all forms of racial, ethnic and religious discrimination. Qatar also plays an important role in preserving and enhancing unity and cohesion of the Arabs, the Gulf countries and the world. Nyerere played an important role in conflict resolutions and peace negotiations including for countries such as Rwanda and Burundi. Qatar likewise has established itself as a country and a place which will do all within its power to resolve the conflicts and give peace a chance, be it for neighbouring or far-flung countries. These are some of the areas, among many more, which link Tanzania and Qatar and which enhance the relations between the two countries.