Conversations around the decolonization of Tanzania – with Abdulkarim Bihaki

The surface of decolonization: how does decolonization manifest itself today

This podcast gives a deeper insight of the decolonisation of Tanzania and how it still manifests in the public space today. It is through the perspective of a local Tanzanian, Abdulkarim Bihaki, who is currently working in Bonn, Germany. This podcast also provides a perspective on the influence of decolonisation and the current ties Tanzania still has with Germany through all these years.

Decolonisation of Tanzania

Tanzania gained its independence in 1961.

• 1880-1919 = Tanzania (first called ‘Tanganyika’) was a colony and part of German East Africa
• 1919 = it became a British mandate under the League of Nations and served as a British military outpost during World War 2, providing financial help, munitions, and soldiers.
• 1947 = Tanganyika became a United Nations Trust Territory under British administration
• 1961 = On December 9th, 1961, Tanganyika gained its independence (still retaining the British monarch as Queen of Tanganyika) and Julius Nyerere became Prime Minister under a new constitution
• 1962 = On December 9th 1962, a republican constitution was implemented with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere as the first president of Tanganyika
• 1964 = Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in April that year. Later that year, in October, it was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.
• 1967 = Nyerere put forth the policy of “Ujamaa” in the Arusha Declaration. *Ujamaa (family hood) called for socialism and self-reliance.

Abdulkarim Bihaki

Abdulkarim Bihaki is a Tanzanian who grew up in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He completed his bachelors degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Economics and Business and worked for AIESEC (youth leadership organisation), GIZ (German International Cooperation), and Empower Limited. He recently moved to Bonn, Germany for the position AIESEC Global Coordinator – Marketing & Employer Branding for DHL.