Tanzania’s independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it

Tanzania’s independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it

Tanzania has long enjoyed a reputation as a peaceful country. In contrast to most of its neighbours, this east African nation of 67 million people has largely avoided large-scale violence within its borders. That didn’t seem likely in the early years after independence from Britain in December 1961. A little over two years into independence – in January 1964 – the founding president, Julius Nyerere, faced two political crises. The first started …

Tanzania's independence leader Julius Nyerere built a new army fit for African liberation: how he did it

The early history of the Tanzanian army was shaped by interwoven domestic and international politics.