Reasons for Mwalimu Nyerere's choice of two governments for Tanzania

Ever since Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika to form the United Republic Tanzania, there have been continuous discussions on the ideal structure of government.


A two-government structure has remained in place since the union's inception on 26th April 1964 with a government for Zanzibar and a union government. Tanganyika's affairs were absolved into the union government machinery.

Although Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume of Zanzibar had initially suggested there should be a single government, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere objected. Two principal reasons were given by Mwalimu Nyerere for establishing only two governments, instead of three:

1. It was imperative that Zanzibar's position (whose population was 300,000) was safeguarded by establishing its own government. Tanganyika had a population of 12 million 
2. The additional cost of establishing a third government for Tanganyika would be carried by Tanganyikan taxpayers, a burden that was considered unnecessary  

Nevertheless throughout its existence Tanzanians from both sides continued to demand a restructuring the union. The latest of these demands arose in the recent constitutional review process whose commission, led by Judge Joseph Warioba, recommended a three-government structure, accommodating demands for a Tanganyikan government.

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume exchange the signed Article of the Union at Karimjee Hall on 26th April 1964.

When a similar demand was about to be accepted by President Ali Hassan Mwinyi's administration in the early 1990s, Mwalimu Nyerere vehemently opposed it and published his defense for a two-government union in his book, Our Leadership and the Destiny of Tanzania.

He wrote:-

"Let me add that only 8.91% of the Mainland CCM members favoured a Three Government structure - so much for the "mass support" for this proposal about which we heard so much in the earlier months of last year."

The constitutional review process, launched by President John Magufuli's predecessor Jakaya Kikwete has been put on hold for the moment. If Mwalimu Nyerere was around there is little doubt he would have written another book to defend the movement towards a single government, rather than three.

Related post:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2013/07/to-save-union-warioba-commission.html