Tanzanians marked the 60th anniversary of the Union in a colourful ceremony in Dar es Salaam.
Union Day is commemorated annually on the 26th of April, signifying the merger of mainland Tanganyika and Zanzibar Island.
Not even the heavy rain that poured in the port city of Dar es Salaam could stop Tanzanians from marking the 60th anniversary of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Island.
The merger, forged in 1964 by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, ended more than 200 years of Arab dominance in Zanzibar, with the Acts of the Union clearly stating that the United Republic would be one sovereign state.
While Tanganyika and Zanzibar have independent governments, the union government represents their common and shared interests.
The past 60 years have seen progress in the socio-economic development of the United Republic, touted by its leaders as an example of the boundless possibilities that unity can bring to a nation.
The commemorations at the Uhuru Stadium just provided a grand display of Tanzania's armed forces and featured a show of strength to maintain the territorial integrity of the Union and its citizens.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan reflected on the journey of the Union, which today boasts a gross domestic product of US$75.7 billion.
This is driven mostly by agriculture, forestry, fishing, industry, and service sectors.
President Samia, who ascended to the Presidency following the death of President John Magufuli in 2021, reminded Tanzanians of the reconciliation, resilience, reforms, and rebuilding philosophy, which is aimed at protecting the fundamentals of the Union.
These include the reform of the criminal justice system and electoral and political party laws.
Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba, President William Ruto of Kenya, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, and Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema also commemorated alongside Tanzanians.
President Mbumba lauded the 60th anniversary of the Union as one that provokes the memory of Namibians and compels them to reflect on the journey the people of Tanzania have walked with them.
He says it remains evident that the friendship between Namibia and Tanzania has stood the test of time, rooted in a shared struggle for liberation and the pursuit of unity and development.
Tanzania hosted Namibian freedom fighters, further facilitated training for soldiers who were to participate in the armed liberation struggle and was a key transit point for Namibians in pursuit of education in different countries.