Dar es Salaam, April 26 -- ZANZIBAR: AS Tanzanians celebrate 61 years of the Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika, many remain unaware that the birth of the United Republic on April 26, 1964, was the culmination of efforts led by the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.

These efforts began in the late 1950s when he participated in a conference of African liberation leaders held in Ghana.

Following that pivotal meeting in Ghana, Karume emerged as one of the vocal proponents for African unity, including the unification of East African nations—Uganda, Kenya and what was then Tanganyika.

“When Karume returned from Ghana, he was welcomed with cheers at the airport by citizens wearing straw hats. He believed deeply in unity and worke...