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![]() Thursday, October 14, 1999 Published at 18:46 GMT 19:46 UK ![]() ![]() World: Africa ![]() Tributes pour in for Nyerere ![]() Julius Nyerere was popularly known as "Mwalimu" ![]() Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere who has died of cancer.
Dr Nyerere had been diagnosed with leukaemia in August and was admitted to St Thomas' hospital in London three weeks ago. In Tanzania, 30 days of mourning have been declared for the man known affectionately as "Mwalimu" - Kiswahili for "the teacher".
President Mkapa said arrangements were being made for a state funeral. In New York, the United Nations General Assembly stood in silent tribute to Dr Nyerere. The President of the Assembly, Namibian Foreign Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab, called him "a venerable world leader and one of Africa's most charismatic and respected elder statesmen". He recalled how Dr Nyerere had given refuge to the many black nationalist leaders who fled South Africa under apartheid. They were allowed to set up training camps inside Tanzania. In Addis Ababa, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim, called the former president's death "a severe and painful personal loss". Dr Nyerere was one of the founding members of the OAU and a passionate believer in the cause of pan-Africanism.
"He was one of the wise sons of Africa who guided our journey towards placing Africa in her rightful place in the world," he said. The Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba, said it was a sad day for Africa. "We have lost a champion and great leader," he said. Revolutionary and visionary In Kenya, President Moi said Dr Nyerere was "a good friend" and that Kenyan flags would fly at half-mast for four days in tribute. Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe, said Dr Nyerere had been "the revolutionary, the visionary, the principled, indomitable and unyielding support of the struggle for our own and the region's independence".
Julius Nyerere served as Tanzania's first president from 1961 to 1985. Addressing the nation on television, Tanzanian President Mkapa said the challenge now was for Tanzanians to build on the important foundation which he laid for the nation.
An important opponent of colonialism and apartheid, Dr Nyerere stood out as an African leader who ignored the trappings of power.
After stepping down as president, Dr Nyerere became an influential figure on the international scene, becoming one of Africa's most respected elder statesmen. Most recently, he had been mediating talks in northern Tanzania aimed at ending the ethnic and political conflict in Burundi. Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published. ![]() |
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