Photo Credit: United Planet
Tanzania
With a population of more than 50 million people, Tanzania is one of the most-populous countries in East Africa. Formerly known as Tanganyika, the former Arabian outpost and protectorate of Great Britain gained independence from the U.K. in 1961 and the Arab dynasty in 1963.
Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s prime minister under the British, became president at independence. Nyerere, who held power under a single-party system, helped Tanzania align with the left by adopting a socialist ideology. In 1992, the constitution was amended to allow for multi-party elections. The president of Tanzania and the members of the country’s national assembly are elected by popular vote for five-year terms. The country enjoyed another peaceful transfer of power last October with the election of John Magufuli.
