7 Julius Nyerere 7in Swahili), a name that emphasized the blend of economic
cooperation, racial and tribal harmony, and moralistic self-
sacrifice that he sought to achieve. Tanzania became a
one-party state, though certain democratic opportunities
were permitted within that framework.
As a major force behind the modern Pan-African
movement and one of the founders in 1963 of the OAU,
Nyerere was a key figure in African events in the 1970s. He
was a strong advocate of economic and political measures
in dealing with the apartheid policies of South Africa.
Nyerere was chairman of a group of five frontline African
presidents who advocated the overthrow of white suprem-
acy in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South Africa, and South
West Africa/Namibia (now Namibia).
Nyerere’s concerns on the domestic front were domi-
nated by economic hardships and by difficulties between
Nyerere and Idi Amin of Uganda. When Ugandan troops
occupied a small border area of Tanzania in 1978, Nyerere
pledged to bring about the downfall of Amin, and in 1979
the Tanzanian army invaded Uganda in support of a local
movement to overthrow him.
After Nyerere stepped down from the presidency in
1985, he continued as chairman of the CCM until 1990.
Thereafter he assumed the role of elder statesman and was
regularly called upon to act as arbiter in international crises.
Jimmy Carter
(b. Oct. 1, 1924, Plains, Ga., U.S.)
J
immy Carter was the 39th president of the United
States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He served as the
nation’s chief executive during a time of serious problems
at home and abroad. After losing his bid for a second term
as president, he left office and embarked on a career of