African leaders have unveiled the monument of former Tanzanian president, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, at the Julius Nyerere Peace and Security Building at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Uganda’s Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo who is representing President Museveni at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, also attended the event.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitated the unveiling of the statue saying “Nyerere is known for his selfless contribution to the peace and security on the Continent”.
“The legacy of this remarkable leader encapsulates the essence of Pan Africanism, profound wisdom, and service to Africa,” said H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, while unveiling the statue.
He said Mwalimu played a key pioneering role in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, a milestone event in the pursuit of African unity.
At the inaugural OAU summit in 1963, Mwalimu said, “Our continent is one, and we are all Africans. This organization symbolizes our determination to move forward together.”
According to Faki, Nyerere’s commitment to African unity went beyond national boundaries and national interest, as reflected in his words to the Tanzanian Parliament in 1970: “We must stand by our brothers fighting for freedom in Southern Africa. Their struggle is our struggle, and their victory is our victory.”
Under his leadership, Tanzania became a sanctuary for liberation movements across the continent, noted Faki, adding, “the Organization of the African Unity Liberation Committee found its headquarters in Tanzania until the dismantling of the Apartheid system in South Africa in 1994”.
He said Dar es Salaam was not only a safe haven for African liberation movements but also for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Latin American countries.
“A teacher but also a peacemaker, Mwalimu played a key role as mediator in African conflicts, particularly the crisis in Burundi. He remained a wise statesman who gave his counsel and advice selflessly to our Union until the end of his life. It is therefore befitting that we honour his memory today as we rename this building to the Mwalimu Nyerere Political Affairs Peace and Security building.”
The proposal for the African Union (AU) Peace and Security building to be named after this great leader was made by none other than the late President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia, whose recent untimely passing has left the Continent and the globe in shock.
The ceremony was also attended by H.E Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Elias Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary.
