The meaning, Objective and problems faced TANU in Tanganyika

The struggle for independence in Tanganyika took a peaceful means (Constitution means) the struggle was led by Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) as a mass political party after changing its name from Tanganyika African Association (TAA) and adopting new objective in 1954.


Objective of TANU

1. To prepare the people of Tanganyika for self-independent government

2. To destroy tribalism and develop national unity for the whole people of Tanganyika

3. To struggle for democratic government and to have representative in local districts and central government.

4. To break up racialism and discrimination among the people

5. To cooperate with other African nationalistic parties from other African colonies against colonialism.

6. To oppose the colonial government with its policies of land alienation policies and the entry of more settlers in Tanganyika.

7. To encourage the people to join trade unions and cooperative union to struggle for their rights.

8. To help the peasants press to colonial government in getting better to their products.

Problems that faced TANU


TANU faced many problems during the struggle for independence, such problems included,

i. The vastness of the country and lack of adequate transport and communication network. This hindered easy movement of the leaders to convince the people, it was difficult to go around the country to establish branches and coordinate the members to support the movement.

ii. Opposition from the colonial government. The colonial government prevented the civil servants from joining the party and thus diminishing the number of members, also burned the political party in Morogoro district, Kondoa and Iringa in 1956, Usambara in 1957. In same year the burning had been extended to eleven districts which had members who protested against oppressive government policies.

iii. Misunderstanding between the party members which erupted in 1958where by a group of members in the meeting held in Tabora did not agree with a moderate policies of the party, they were after a mole militant Africanist stand and eventually they broke away and formed African National Congress (ANC) under ZuberiMtemvu.

iv. Opposition from United Tanganyika Party (UTP) which formed in 1958 under Martin Kayamba. The party was sponsored by British government and had great supports from chiefs, white men that Tanganyika will proceed to be affiliated to colonialists. It made a lot of effort to transfer power to TANU.

v. Shortage of money. The party was made by members who had low income. Therefore it was not easy for them to finance party activities during the struggle for independence.

vi. The rise of all Muslim National Union of Tanganyika (AMNUT) as a opposition party. This was another party created by demanding that “Tanganyika will not be independent until the Muslims have equal education level with the non-Muslims population”. However under TANU, Tanganyika was able to attain her independence at an earliest stage as compared with the rest of African countries in the south of Sahara.