Unveiling of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s Statue at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa

During the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), African leaders revealed a life-size statue of the late Tanzanian President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, according to Xinhua.

Nyerere, a key figure in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) – the precursor to the current AU, founded in 2002, and a founding member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed, “Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s statue honors his role in African liberation, unity, and peace, reflecting our pride in our heritage.”

This sculpture of Nyerere becomes the third statue at the AU headquarters, alongside those of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, and the late Ghanaian President, Kwame Nkrumah.

Hassan emphasized the importance of economic transformation to complement political liberation for Africa’s sustainable future, stating, “None of us can achieve lasting prosperity without a thriving Africa. Our distinctiveness aligns with our interconnectedness, underscoring the necessity of integrating economic progress with our path to securing the future.”

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, Zambian President Hakainde Hichelema and others.