Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume was a political leader and icon who became the first president of Zanzibar. When the United Republic of Tanzania was founded, Karume became the first vice president of the Republic alongside the courageous Julius Nyerere who became the president. Karume had little formal education and worked as a seaman before joining politics. Widely traveled, one of his journeys exposed him to international affairs and politics and to African thoughts and ideals. Karume was shot by four gunmen and assassinated in April 1972 in Zanzibar. His son later became the president of Zanzibar.
