#NyerereDay: Examining the Allegations: Was Tanzania's Father of the Nation Julius Nyerere's Death a Plot Against His Life?

Father of the Nation: Julius Nyerere (Photo/File)

Julius Nyerere, the founding father and first president of Tanzania, passed away on October 14, 1999 at the age of 77. While the official cause was given as leukemia, allegations have persisted over the years that Nyerere's death may not have been entirely natural. Some have claimed it was the result of a plot by political enemies he had made locally in Tanzania in the years leading up to his death. This article will examine these allegations and the context surrounding them, while evaluating their credibility.

Nyerere's Continued Political Influence After Stepping Down

To understand the allegations, it's important to recognize that even after stepping down as president in 1985, Nyerere remained an influential figure in Tanzanian politics. As the revered "Father of the Nation," his opinions and endorsements still carried significant weight.

Crucially, Nyerere retained the position of Chairman of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party until 1990. In this role, he played a key part in managing Tanzania's transition to a multi-party system in the early 1990s[8]. Even after retiring from party leadership, Nyerere continued to wield considerable informal influence within CCM and Tanzanian politics more broadly.

The 1995 Election and Nyerere's Support for Mkapa