POLICE BAND; PROCESSION; FREEDOM FIGHTERS; ALSO V.P. KARUME.




Initials MA-JP/VS/AS/SC-SGM



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Background: THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFRICA DAY - THE DAY THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY WAS FOUNDED - WAS CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY (MAY 26) IN DAR ES SALAAM WITH A MILITARY PARADE AND SPEECHES.

THE DAY STARTED WITH A PROCESSION LED BY A POLICE BAND. OTHERS TAKING PART INCLUDED THE FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, ABEID KARUME. HE TOLD THE RALLY THAT AFRICA HAD A PROUD HISTORY OF RESISTANCE AGAINST COLONIALISTS AND CITED THE MAJI MAJI WAR FOUGHT BY TANZANIANS AGAINST THE GERMANS.

IF AFRICA UNITED HER FORCES, HE SAID, AFRICA WOULD DEFEAT HER ENEMIES AND HE EMPHASISED THAT EVEN WITH STONES, FISTS AND STICKS WARS WERE FOUGHT AND WON.

FREEDOM FIGHTERS, HE SAID, MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO FIGHT. THEIR ENEMIES WERE MORE AFRAID OF THEM AND THE FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE WOULD ALWAYS RESULT IN VICTORY FOR AFRICANS.

ABEID KARUME WARNED FREEDOM FIGHTERS NOT TO FORGET THE STRUGGLE BY INDULGING IN DRINKING AND PETTY FIGHTS. IT WAS THIS, HE SAID, THAT WAS RETARDING THE FREEDOM OF THE REST OF AFRICA. HE DECLARED TANZANIA'S UNDIVIDED SUPPORT FOR THE TOTAL LIBERATION OF AFRICA.