Article Title

Julius Nyerere’s Understanding of African Socialism, Human Rights and Equality

Authors

Fr. Innocent Simon Sanga, St. Augustine University of Tanzania
Ron Pagnucco, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s UniversityFollow

Abstract

Julius Kambarage Nyerere, African philosopher, anti-colonial leader, first president of the United Republic of Tanzania, and respected international statesman, served as president of the newly independent Tanzania from 1964 through 1985., after which he remained politically active in Tanzania and on the global stage. Trying to steer a post-colonial course of self-reliance, he developed and implemented African Socialism in Tanzania, articulated in the Arusha Declaration in 1967. As an anti-colonial leader, Nyerere referred to international human rights standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and maintained a commitment to human rights as president and afterwards. In this essay we look at Nyerere’s program of African Socialism, and his understanding of the interrelated concepts of socialism, human rights, and equality. We close with a discussion of Nyerere’s controversial human rights violations as president, and a reflection on his legacy.

Recommended Citation

Sanga, Fr. Innocent Simon and Pagnucco, Ron (2020) "Julius Nyerere’s Understanding of African Socialism, Human Rights and Equality," The Journal of Social Encounters: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, 15-33.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/social_encounters/vol4/iss2/2