BUILDING STRONG, PEACEFUL AFRICA WILL HONOUR MEMORY OF JULIUS K. NYERERE,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE TO BIRTHDAY COMMEMORATION

Following is the text of the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the commemorative meeting marking the 80^th birthday of Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere in New York on 15 April:

Today, we commemorate the birthday of a true giant of Africa, Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, whose immeasurable contributions in diverse fields have left us a rich legacy.  As Africa strives to give content and substance to the new African Union, and seeks to galvanize support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, we recall the political courage, commitment and dedication of one of our most important founding fathers.  His work helped lay the foundation on which these new structures are being built.

Julius Nyerere not only led his own Tanzanian people to independence, and helped them develop a strong sense of nationhood expressed through a vibrant Swahili language and culture.  Under his leadership, Tanzania came to play a brave and crucial role in support of liberation struggles throughout southern Africa.

But Mwalimu was more than a nationalist hero.  He was also an articulate and highly effective advocate, who helped place the issues of poverty and development squarely on the international agenda.  He was a champion of Africa’s struggle for relief from the crushing burden of external debt, for fairer terms of trade and for substantial increases in official development assistance -- issues that are of the utmost importance to the United Nations today.  I also recall, with deep appreciation, Mwalimu’s important contribution to the search for peace in Burundi, which helped pave the way for the progress we have seen in recent months.

Today, let us give thanks for the life of this great son of Africa, who gave so much not only to his own people, but to all of us.  Let us honour his memory by renewing our resolve to build a strong, healthy and peaceful Africa.

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